This documentation supports the 21.3 version of BMC Helix ITSM: Change Management. To view an earlier version, select the version from the Product version menu.

Configuring Change Management approvals


To get approvals up and running quickly with Change Management, the application administrator must configure Change Management approvals. Review this section to understand how the Approval Server works with Change Management.

This topic assumes you already know how to log on to the Action Request System, open the IT Home page, create a change request, and so on. This procedure applies for Release Management also.

Important

BMC considers changes made to the out-of-the-box approval rules and processes in the approval server configuration to be a customization for BMC Helix ITSM applications. The out-of-the-box approval rules and processes are supported for the versions in which they are shipped. The BMC provided rules and processes are designed for both flexibility and performance, and we recommend that you do not customize these rules and processes. However, if you choose to customize the out-of-the-box rules and processes in the approval server configuration, we recommend that you make and use copies of them and do not directly modify the out-of-the-box rules and processes.

To configure BMC Helix ITSM: Change Management approvals

  1. Review the Change Management process flow in the Application Administration Console, by selecting Custom Configuration > BMC Change Management > Advanced Options > Process Flow Configuration. 

    cm_custom_process.gif

  2. In the Application Administration Console, review the default approval process configuration records by selecting Custom Configuration > Foundation > Advanced Options > Approval Process Configuration. 

    Global-Approval-Proc_62491_516.gif

    Important

    We recommend that you do not modify the Global company record in this form. However, you can create company-specific records for the approval process flow.

  3. Click the Status Flow tab in the approval process configuration records to review the change states that drive the approval process. 

    Quick-Start-Status-F_62493_516.gif

    The Change Process Flow displays the configured change process flows. the standard process, and custom processes created. The contents in the BeginApprovedRejected, and No approvers fields are displayed based on the Change process selected.

    Approval state field

    Change request status

    Approval Server action to the change request

    Begin

    Request For Authorization

    When the status of the change request is Request For Authorization, the approval process starts.

    Approved

    Request For Change

    If the change request is approved, its status changes to Request For Change.

    Rejected

    Rejected

    If the change request is rejected, its status changes to Rejected.

    No Approvers

    Request For Change

    If there are no approvers defined for the change (that is, if no approvers are mapped to this phase), its status changes to Request For Change.

  4.  In the Application Administration Console, map your approvers to the approval process configuration records by selecting Custom Configuration > Change Management > Approval > Approval Mappings

    Quick-Start-approval.gif

    Important

    Enter only the minimum values (highlighted in red area in the figure) that are required to create the approver mappings. To enter values in the Additional Mappings area, see Configuring-approval-mappings-for-change-and-release-management to understand the purposes of these fields and how they are used.

    1. Enter Mann in the Last Name field and then press Enter.
      Mary Mann is part of the Calbro Service sample data.
    2. Select Global > Review as the Phase Name.
    3. Ignore the remaining fields on the Approver Mappings form.
    4. Save your changes.
      If you correctly mapped the approvers to the approval process configuration record, you will see the approver in the Approvers tab when the change request reaches the Request For Authorization status, as shown in the figure in step 6.
  5. Create a change request, and then use the Process Flow Status wizard to move the change request through its approval phases. 

    Quick-Start-change-r_62497_516.gif
    1. Log on to BMC Helix ITSM: Change Management.
    2. Create a change request and assign it to a specific support group in your company.
    3. Use the Process Flow Status bar to move the change request to the Request For Authorization status.
  6. As Mary Mann, log on to the Action Request System as the approver in a browser or user tool, open Approval Central from the IT Home page, and then approve the change request. 

    Quick-Start-approv-r_62499_516.gif
  7. Return to the change request, and click Refresh

    Quick-Start-next-app_62501_516.gif


 

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