Approving a release request

The release approver receives notification to approve release requests so that they can be deployed.

Approval processes provided out-of-the-box for Release Management

Release Management is installed with default approval processes designed for global use.

Related topics

Approving or rejecting a change request by using an email or Approval Central

Approval process (phase)	Definition
Initiate	The Initiate phase starts when the release request is placed in Initiation Approval status. If the release request is approved, the request moves to the Registered status. If the release request is rejected, its status changes to Rejected. If there are no approvers defined for the request (that is, if no approvers are mapped to the Initiate approval phase), its status changes to Registered and it requires the release coordinator to move the request forward.
Planning	The Planning phase starts when the release request is placed in Planning Approval status. If the release request is approved, it moves to the In Progress status. If no approvers are mapped to the Planning phase, the release request moves to the In Progress status and it requires the release coordinator to move the request forward. If the request is rejected, it moves to the Rejected status.
Build	The Build phase starts when the release request is placed in Build Approval status. If the release request is approved, it moves to the In Progress status. If no approvers are mapped to the Build phase, the release request moves to the In Progress status and it requires the release coordinator to move the request forward. If the request is rejected, it moves to the Rejected status.
Test	The Test phase starts when the release request is placed in Test Approval status. If the release request is approved, it moves to the In Progress status. If no approvers are mapped to the Test phase, the release request moves to the In Progress status and it requires the release coordinator to move the request forward. If the request is rejected, it moves to the Rejected status.
Deployment	The Deployment phase starts when the release request is placed in Deployment Approval status. If the release request is approved, it moves to the In Progress status. If no approvers are mapped to the Deployment phase, the release request moves to the In Progress status and it requires the release coordinator to move the request forward. If the request is rejected, it moves to the Rejected status.
Close Down	The Close Down phase starts when the release request is placed in Close Down Approval status. If the release request is approved, it moves to the Completed status. If no approvers are mapped to the Close Down phase, the release request moves to the Completed status. If the request is rejected, it moves to the Rejected status.

Before you begin

To efficiently conduct reviews, the administrator must configure review settings in BMC Helix ITSM. For details, see Configuring change review.

To view details of other approvers

When you open a release ticket that you have to review, an approval banner is displayed on the ticket.
On the banner, click Show approvers to access the Approval List pane.
On that pane, you can view the details of other approvers, and any reviews they have provided for the ticket or article. The Open tab displays details of those approvers who have not reviewed the ticket or article, or have kept it on hold. The Open tab also indicates mandatory and optional reviewers. The Closed tab displays details of the approvers who have approved the ticket or article.

Scenario for reviewing a release ticket

At a minimum, an approver must have permission to access and view release tickets in BMC Helix ITSM. Otherwise, approvers can review tickets in Approval Central or provide email-based approvals.

In BMC Helix ITSM, if the administrator has enabled password authentication for the review phase, then you must enter your BMC Helix ITSM password to authenticate yourself.

Open the ticket that is assigned to you for review.
A banner displays approve, reject, or keep it on hold options, and an option to view review details.
Depending on the platform, perform the appropriate step to refresh the ticket or article:
- (UC) Click Refresh .
- (Mobile) Pull down the ticket screen.
Based on your review, click the appropriate button on the banner.
Authenticate yourself as the reviewer.
To authenticate yourself if BMC Helix Single Sign-On is not integrated with BMC Helix ITSM, follow these steps:
1. Enter your BMC Helix ITSM login password in the Login password field.
2. Provide a reason for your review.
3. Submit your review.
To authenticate yourself if BMC Helix Single Sign-On is integrated with BMC Helix ITSM, follow these steps:
1. Provide a reason for your review.
2. Submit your review.
  You are directed to BMC Helix Single Sign-On login page.
3. Enter your BMC Helix ITSM login credentials to authenticate yourself.

After authenticating the approver, the system accepts the review.

Depending on the approver's review, the following actions are performed:

If approved	If rejected	If on hold
The release request gets published.	The release request moves to the draft status, or to the status that is configured in BMC Helix ITSM. It will again go through the lifecycle for possible improvements.	The release request remains in the publish approval state. Other approvers can review it.

Instructions for classic interfaces

View instructions for Mid Tier

Release Management approvals are similar to the Change Management approvals.

Understanding the Release Management approval process

After a release is planned and built, the release request is set to a status of Scheduled for Review. The release coordinator has the opportunity to review plans and schedules before moving the release to the Implementation Approval phase.

The read-only Current Approval Phase field displays what approval phase the release is in during its lifecycle.

Working with release request approvals

Certain release requests must pass through an approval process before they can be deployed. Approvals can be defined for each milestone of the release request from Initiate to Close Down.

After a release is planned and built, the release request is set to a status of Build Approval if approval is configured. The Release Coordinator has the opportunity to review plans and schedules before approving them and moving the release to the Test Approval phase.

The read-only Approval Phase field displays what approval phase the release is in during its lifecycle.

The application administrators configure the approval processes. The process owner determines the approvals based on the policies of the business. They also determine which release requests require approval, what kind of approval process the release requests must undergo, and who the approvers are. The support staff and management can add more approvers to the list.

Important

You can view the included approval phases on the Status Flow tab of the Approval Process Configuration form. For information about configuring approvals as an administrator for Change Management, see Configuring approval processes.

For information about working with the Approval Server as an administrator, see Approval roles Open link in the Action Request System documentation.

To view release requests awaiting approval from the Release Management console

Release coordinators submit the requests for approval and monitor the approval process. Approvers are notified when a release request requires their approval. After reviewing the release request, they can approve it or reject it.

As an approver, you are required to review release requests for approval. You review release requests and provide approval through the Release Management application or Approval Central.

To view the release requests awaiting approval from Approval Central, click Pending Approvals under the Approval Tasks list of Approval Central.

In the Release Management console, under Counts in the left navigation pane, click Waiting Approval.
The Releases table displays the release requests waiting approval.
Select the release request to review, and then click View.
The approver can approve or reject the release request from the Release Request form, or request further information.