1. Purpose:
The Change Management Policy establishes guidelines and procedures for managing changes to systems, applications, and infrastructure within the organization. The primary goal is to ensure that changes are implemented efficiently, with minimal disruption to operations, and that the integrity and security of systems and data are maintained throughout the change process.

2. Scope:
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and third-party vendors involved in planning, implementing, or overseeing changes to systems, applications, and infrastructure owned or operated by the organization.

3. Change Management Process:
The change management process consists of the following key steps:

a. Change Request:
Any proposed change to systems, applications, or infrastructure must be documented in a formal change request. The change request should include details such as the nature of the change, the rationale for the change, potential impacts, and the proposed timeline for implementation.

b. Change Impact Assessment:
The change management team will assess the potential impact of the proposed change on systems, applications, data, and business operations. This assessment will consider factors such as technical feasibility, resource requirements, risks, and dependencies.

c. Change Approval:
Once the change impact assessment is complete, the change request will be reviewed by the appropriate stakeholders, including IT management, security, and affected business units. Approval for the change will be granted based on the assessment of risks and impacts.

d. Change Testing:
Before implementation, all changes must undergo thorough testing to ensure that they function as intended and do not introduce any unintended consequences or disruptions. Testing may include unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing, depending on the nature of the change.

e. Change Implementation:
Changes will be implemented during scheduled maintenance windows or other designated times to minimize disruption to business operations. Implementation procedures will be followed carefully, and rollback plans will be in place in case of unforeseen issues.

f. Change Documentation:
All changes must be documented in a centralized change management system or repository. Documentation should include details of the change, testing results, implementation procedures, and any lessons learned.

4. Roles and Responsibilities:
- Change Management Team: Responsible for overseeing the change management process, assessing change impacts, obtaining approvals, and coordinating change implementation.
- Change Initiator: Responsible for submitting change requests and providing necessary information for change assessments.
- Change Review Board: Responsible for reviewing and approving change requests based on their impact and risk.
- IT Operations Team: Responsible for implementing approved changes and ensuring that they are completed successfully.
- Quality Assurance Team: Responsible for testing changes to ensure that they meet quality standards and do not introduce defects or vulnerabilities.

5. Change Control:
All changes must be managed and tracked through a centralized change management system or repository. Changes will be categorized based on their impact and risk level, and appropriate controls will be applied to ensure that changes are implemented in a controlled and documented manner.

6. Compliance:
This policy is designed to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and organizational standards related to change management. Non-compliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or contract.

7. Review and Revision:
This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in business requirements, technology, or regulatory requirements. Employees will be notified of any changes to the policy and provided with appropriate training and guidance.

By adhering to this Change Management Policy, the organization can ensure that changes to systems, applications, and infrastructure are implemented efficiently, with minimal disruption to operations, and that the integrity and security of systems and data are maintained throughout the change process.