---
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 6 - Prepare to upgrade the production instance

# Phase 6 - Prepare to upgrade the production instance {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Yokohama  
Updated January 30, 2025  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
After you have configured and refined your test environment to be a good representation of your production environment, prepare to upgrade your production instance.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin.  
To ensure that all stakeholders in your company are prepared for the final production upgrade, complete the administrative planning tasks in Phase 6 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."). When upgrading a production instance:

* Obtain confirmation from IT and management that all non-production instance defects have been fixed, validated, and included in an update set.
* Use the change management process established by your organization to track the upgrade.
* Communicate effectively with your user community regarding changes, new features, and process updates resulting from the upgrade.
* Negotiate a suitable upgrade time for all users of the ServiceNow system.

  For
  example, schedule the upgrade after hours, to minimize impact to your users.
  Remember to schedule the upgrade to occur 15--20 minutes before the [Upgrade scheduled job](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/C7hqIBaj7sMXC0aGkGw_2w#upgrades-phase-3__Phase3Step1CheckUpgradeJob)
  interval.
* Allow time in your change window to run all test cases and validate that all integrations, key business functionality, and system performance are acceptable. Add a time buffer for responding to errors without breaching the change window.
{#upgrades-phase-6__ul_gpg_wss_tx}

## About this task

## Procedure

1. Profile the performance of your instance before upgrading.  
   Pre-upgrade instance validation can provide a reliable benchmark of the
   current operating environment and alert you to any issues that may appear
   after the upgrade. For example, it sometimes appears that specific
   functionality is broken by an upgrade. Analysis might show that the
   functionality did not work properly in the production instance, even before
   the upgrade.  
   Before performing the upgrade, analyze the current operating environment. Specifically, review:
   * Key functionality
   * Integrations
   * Instance performance
   {#upgrades-phase-6__ul_ldf_dlf_nx} {#upgrades-phase-6__Phase6Step1BenchmarkPerf}
{#upgrades-phase-6__Phase6Step1BenchmarkPerf}
2. Use the ServiceNow Performance homepage to document the performance of your instance before the upgrade.  
   You will later compare and contrast this information during your post-upgrade
   validation and testing. Benchmarks will be different for each of your
   instances.

   To access the ServiceNow Performance homepage:
   1. Log in to your instance.
   2. From the list in the top left of the instance homepage, select ServiceNow Performance.  
   {#upgrades-phase-6__substeps_htv_w2g_nx} {#upgrades-phase-6__Phase6Step2PerfDashboard}
{#upgrades-phase-6__Phase6Step2PerfDashboard}
3. On your clone, perform functional testing and monitor the performance of your instance.  
   Replicate typical user behaviors that occur on your production instance. Assign a consistent core team of power users and key stakeholders to validate important functionality in the ServiceNow instance before and after upgrades. {#upgrades-phase-6__Phase6Step3FunctionalTesting}
{#upgrades-phase-6__Phase6Step3FunctionalTesting}