RFC and data changes

[Sarajane]

I'm looking to understand how others handle requests to change data on a system. Should an RFC be opened? In most cases the data being changed varires from 5 to 10 records to thousands and the business owner is asking the Technology Department to process the updates systematically.

[Diarmid]

Sarajane,

please refer to the thread "How to handle database record changes?" down the list a bit.

Essentially, changing business data is the proper province of application processes, not service management. Since the business owns the data, the business must mange the changes even if technical people are involved in performing them.

The best approach is to provide the business with an interface through which it can do this itself (whether setting up a batch or doing it in real-time), but if that is impractical, then you need to design a process to perform it efficiently, reliably and under good change control.

For my money, only the final transitioning of the changed file into the live environment is a possible candidate for service change management and that could be a very simple routine if the business has managed the process with its data.

But you really do need to work out for yourself what will work well for you. In fact if I think a bit more about it (and, better still, if I knew a bit more about your circumstances) I might take a very different approach.
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"Method goes far to prevent trouble in business: for it makes the task easy, hinders confusion, saves abundance of time, and instructs those that have business depending, both what to do and what to hope."
William Penn 1644-1718

[anthonymq]

I would consider Data changes or ammendments as Service Requests.

Data changes means changes in records, which most of the time is performed by a user (IT or non IT) it is difficult to control what and how they enter the data. Data change pertains to change in a particular record/data, hence any requests for modification of data should be treated as a Service Request.

However, if the request is for change in a Master Record, i would consider this to be an RFC, since modification in a master records could potentially apply all throughout the application/service.

[ChangeOfficer]

In my organization data is critical to application functionality and client deliverables. Changes to data are considered as IT changes.

[DYbeach]

So you see, Sarajane, the answer is It Depends.
How is life after the Doctor? Change Management must be a comedown after travelling with a Time Lord
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DYbeach
ITIL V3 Release, Control & Validation,
ITIL V3 Operation SUpport & Analysis
PMI CAPM (R)

"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." George Orwell