--- sourceDocument: Yokohama Release Notes sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/yokohama/release-notes Release : - yokohama ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Yokohama Release Notes ft:clusterId : - rn bundleId : - rn --- # Phase 1 - Read the release notes and plan your upgrade # Phase 1 - Read the release notes and plan your upgrade {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Yokohama Updated January 30, 2025 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Before you begin the upgrade process, it is essential to read the release notes for your target version so you understand the required upgrade and migration tasks. This information helps you plan a safe and effective upgrade. ## Before you begin Important: If multiple software versions are involved in your upgrade, be sure to consult the release notes for each version between your current version and the target version. Role required: admin. ## About this task ## Procedure 1. Read the release notes for your target version. Review upgrade and migration tasks that you will need to complete before or after your upgrade. * ServiceNow provides release notes for every release. The release notes offer valuable information about new functionality, notable changes, and fixes available in a particular version. Read the [Yokohama release notes](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/aloV4Wjs7ChuCm_g9cftdA "The ServiceNow Yokohama release includes new products and applications, as well as additional features and fixes for existing products. Read the release notes to learn about the release, prepare for your upgrade, and upgrade your instance.") to determine whether the upgrade contains functionality you need and fixes that resolve any issues affecting your instance. The release notes can also help you determine whether items you previously customized are being upgraded. * For Yokohama -specific upgrade considerations, see [Pre- and post-upgrade tasks for various products](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/pttyCf2HzU1JzXsHIp6xeg "In preparation for your upgrade, review the upgrade and migration tasks for various applications and features. Plan to complete these tasks, when applicable, before or after the upgrade is complete."). * If you are thinking about upgrading to the Yokohama family, problem (PRB) fixes can be an important factor in your upgrade plans. You can generate a list of . Compare the lists of fixed problems across various Yokohama upgrade scenarios to help you decide which release version to upgrade to. 2. Complete the preparation and planning tasks in Phase 2 of the [Upgrade planning checklist](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ML4E~_LCvGwwbOFOM6f59Q "Plan and track the activities related to your ServiceNow instance upgrade. To help ensure that you complete all the tasks for a successful upgrade, follow the step-by-step instructions in the upgrade planning checklist to track and plan the upgrade."). The checklist contains a list of planning tasks that guide you through various aspects of upgrade preparation. You are guided through tasks such as scoping, gathering stakeholders, identifying features to disable and enable, and creating test plans to use throughout the upgrade. Follow these steps to ensure that all aspects of your organization are ready for the upgrade. 3. To better prepare for the upgrade, evaluate the level of customizations on your instances. For information on customization best practice guidelines, visit the [Customer Success Center website](https://www.servicenow.com/success/playbook/innovate-at-scale.html). {#upgrades-phase-1__table_x55_slh_5fb__entry__2} | Complexity score | Customization examples | |-|-| | Low | * Modification to form layout/design * Add fields and/or UI policies to forms * Build simple custom integration * Extend an existing table (such as incident) in scope with new fields only {#upgrades-phase-1__ul_y55_slh_5fb} | | Low-medium | * Extend an existing table (such as incident) in scope with some scripting * Extend an existing table (such as incident) as the basis for a different application, such as HR {#upgrades-phase-1__ul_z55_slh_5fb} | | Medium | Build a new scoped application | | Medium-high | Build a new global application | | High | * Change baseline business rules (such as modifying the SLA process) * Build a complex custom integration {#upgrades-phase-1__ul_av5_slh_5fb} | [ ] {#upgrades-phase-1__table_x55_slh_5fb} 4. Create a comprehensive test plan that includes test cases for all core instance functionality and integrations, including any customizations you may have. To efficiently test and evaluate system functionality, create a set of detailed test scripts for your testing team to use. You will use this test plan throughout each instance upgrade. {#upgrades-phase-1__table_oqx_nqs_tx__entry__2} | Instance | Type of testing required | |-|-| | Development | Conduct smoke tests. | | Test | * Use the ServiceNow [Automated Test Framework](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=automated-test-framework&version=yokohama&pubname=yokohama-application-development&ft:locale=en-US) to assist you in testing your non-production instances. * You can use Automated Test Framework quick start tests and product testing suites to help you jump start your testing before and after upgrades. For a list of available tests and activation information, see [Quick start tests](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=quick-start-tests&version=yokohama&pubname=yokohama-application-development&ft:locale=en-US). * For extra testing coverage, you can also conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) on your non-production instances. {#upgrades-phase-1__ul_ckd_lqs_tx} | | Production | Conduct UAT. Note: The [Automated Test Framework](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=automated-test-framework&version=yokohama&pubname=yokohama-application-development&ft:locale=en-US) is intended for use on non-production instances. On your production instance, conduct UAT only. | [ ] {#upgrades-phase-1__table_oqx_nqs_tx}