Change model defaults for Simplified Change Management

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated June 1, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • When you activate the ITSM Change Management Admin Experience plugin (sn_itsm_chg_admin), the simplified change models become the active defaults and the classic global models are deactivated.

    What changes when you activate the plugin

    Activating the plugin replaces the classic global change models with simplified equivalents as the defaults you see in the change creation page. Each simplified model targets a specific change type, giving you one clear path for every change you create.

    Table 1. Change model state before and after activation
    Change model Before activation After activation
    Normal (simplified) Inactive Active default — visible in the change creation page
    Emergency (simplified) Inactive Active default — visible in the change creation page
    Change Registration (simplified) Inactive Active — visible in the change creation page
    Global Normal (classic) Active default Deactivated and hidden, unless you have customized it
    Global Emergency (classic) Active default Deactivated and hidden, unless you have customized it
    Global Change Registration (classic) Active Deactivated and hidden
    Standard, Unauthorized, Cloud, Cloud Infrastructure Active No change
    Important:
    If you have already modified the classic Global Normal or Global Emergency model, the plugin leaves that model exactly as it is. The simplified models still become the active defaults, so your existing customizations aren't overwritten.

    Required fields on Standard changes

    To improve the completeness of Standard change records, the plugin enforces mandatory fields and restricts work note editing.

    Required fields
    Short description, Description, Risk, Impact, Justification, Assignment group, Planned start date, and Planned end date.
    Work notes
    Read-only for anyone without the Change Manager role, keeping the change history trustworthy.

    What stays the same

    The following models and behaviors are unaffected by activation:

    • Standard, Unauthorized, Cloud, and Cloud Infrastructure change models retain their current behavior.
    • The simplified Change Registration model continues to work as before.
    • Any classic Global Normal or Emergency model you have customized remains inactive and unchanged.

    Reverting to previous defaults

    To restore the change model defaults that were in place before activation, contact ServiceNow Support.
    Note:
    Don't adjust these defaults manually, because the models function as an interdependent set.