A guide to ITSM change freezes

Having a period of restricted changes over Christmas, into the New Year, or in fact at any time that is right for your organisation can truly be of great benefit. ITSM change freezes can protect business operations at times where major changes are underway, when you have fewer IT professionals working, or simply during busy periods. They can minimise staff stress, prevent change errors, and restore project focus. Invoking a change freeze really can be in the best interest for your business.

If you are yet to implement a change freeze for this festive season it is absolutely not too late to start. This guide will help prepare you for rolling out a change freeze quickly and smoothly. Think of it as your checklist for change freeze success!

Gain insight

If one of the driving factors for your upcoming change freeze is that you will be thin on the ground staffwise, then be sure to talk to those employees who will be holding down the fort. (Or in ‘normal times’; talk with all IT resources.) Let them know that things may be stretched for a short period of time, and open up the conversation to establish what support they may need. Take this into consideration when preparing for your change freeze. Respecting and onboarding your teams is vital in any change management.

Consider your timing

Many IT Service Managers will opt to start a change freeze sooner than it is perhaps required. This risk management approach works to allow time to clear any backlog of changes, to have capacity for error or for any reworks, and it minimises last minute stress. But perhaps more importantly it extends the change freeze beyond what is necessary. Lengthening the freeze will allow teams to return from holidays or recover from busy periods. The first days back can potentially be the service desk’s busiest, so allow staff to get caught up and back into the flow of things before being met with change requests.