---
sourceDocument: Australia IT Service Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/it-service-management

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia IT Service Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itsm

bundleId :

    - itsm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Assess an improvement for approval

# Assess an improvement for approval {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Once accepted and set to assess, Approver group members evaluate the improvement for
approval before implementation can begin.

## Before you begin

Role required: None (must be a member of the Approver group)

## About this task

Note:  
Only one Approver group member needs to approve the improvement before moving to the next state. To require additional approvers, configure the CIM Approval workflow in [Flow Designer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=flow-designer&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US).

The default expiration period for approval requests is seven business days. Pending approval requests are automatically canceled after seven days but can be resubmitted for
approval.  
Preconditions:

* Incident manager created an improvement request.
* Improvement Manager accepted and assigned the improvement request.
{#assess-cim-initiative__ul_cxz_lkk_zdb}

By default, an improvement requires approval before it can progress to the Implement
state. You can disable the approval requirement using the
sn_cim.need_approval
[property](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ZUU16y3_n8O~Yg4Vms4LUg "Descriptions of CIM improvement, task, and approver states and process workflow."). When
disabled, the Approver group field and the
Approvers related list on the Improvement Initiative form
are not shown.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllSelf ServiceMy Approvals.
2. On the Approval form, scroll down to the Summary of Item being approved section and assess the details of the improvement, including alignment with strategic objectives (strategies), business service, business process, priority, effort estimate, benefits, and why this improvement is important.
3. Click Approve in the header bar to approve the improvement.  
   The improvement is ready for implementation by the Improvement Manager and Improvement Coordinator.

   A default CIM phase (CIMT number) is
   automatically created.
{#assess-cim-initiative__steps_ppz_4dd_1db}

## Approve an improvement

In the process of reviewing KPI performance in the Performance Analytics application, the incident manager noticed the Average time to resolve an incident KPI scorecard was too high (24 hours).

As part of the approval process, an Approver group member assessed the details of the
improvement and approved it to begin implementation.
{#assess-cim-initiative__table_yts_jkd_zcb__entry__2}

| Field | Value |
|-|-|
| Approver | Howard Johnson |
| State | Approved |
| Approving | CIM0000135 |
| Comments | -- |
[Table 1. Approval form]

{#assess-cim-initiative__table_yts_jkd_zcb}
**Related reference**   

* [Improvement field descriptions](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/C853gMQyA5yMFmEdn9zXrA "Improvement Initiative form and related field descriptions.")

*[\>]: and then