This activity represents a decision checkpoint against the change based on impact. It examines the analysis results from Assess Change and determines whether to approve the change.

If approved, the change deployment approach and targeted change deployment schedule are determined for the change. Approval types can include financial, technical, and business, all of which can be considered by any body approving the change. The manner in which the change is approved will depend on the organization structure, but formal approval will be obtained for each change from the change authority (CA). This can be Change Management, Service Management, or some other nominated person or group.
If a solution does not exist, one can be requested (through Project Proposal) before the change is approved. If a solution does exist, a change can then be scheduled.

The activity for scheduling a change takes into account the Change Schedule, eliminating conflict between differing changes, and assigning appropriate resources accordingly. Approved changes can be subsequently scheduled into target releases, in line with the policy for determining releases. The result is an updated Change Schedule, containing details of all approved changes and their implementation dates, along with the Projected Service Availability document, containing details of changes to agreed service level agreements and service availability.