What must be completed before requesting approval for a change?

Before requesting approval for a change within the IT Service Management framework, completing the Planning phase is essential. This phase involves outlining the specifics of the change, including objectives, resources required, potential impacts, and risks. A well-developed plan serves as a critical foundation for the approval process as it provides stakeholders with the comprehensive information they need to assess the merits of the proposed change.

A thorough planning document ensures that all necessary details are studied, justifying the change's necessity and approach. This helps in facilitating informed decision-making among approvers. Without this structured Planning phase in place, it would be challenging to present a clear picture of what the change entails and why it should be approved, which can stall or jeopardize the approval process.

Other options, while important, do not serve as prerequisites for approval. The Testing phase, for instance, usually occurs after approval is granted to ensure that the change works as intended. The Closure report reflects on the change after it has been implemented, and the Communication plan is developed typically alongside or after planning the change, focusing on how to communicate the change to stakeholders rather than building the case for approval itself.