Exploring ITIL and ITSM Change Management in Highly Regulated Industries: A Review of Best Practices and Challenges

Authors: Adya Mishra

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14838584

Short DOI: https://doi.org/g84g6z

Country: USA

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Abstract: Organizations in highly regulated industries—such as finance, healthcare, and government—face unique challenges when implementing IT changes. In these environments, a robust Change Management process is essential not only to maintain service reliability but also to ensure strict adherence to mandates like HIPAA, SOX, and GDPR. This review explores how IT Service Management (ITSM) principles, specifically those related to Change Management, can be effectively applied in such high-stakes settings. It begins by outlining the regulatory landscape that shapes decision-making and underscores the critical need for structured governance, thorough documentation, and multi-layered oversight. Best practices—ranging from enhanced risk assessment and automated workflows to a well-maintained Configuration Management Database (CMDB)—are examined to demonstrate how regulated organizations can successfully balance compliance requirements with operational agility. The paper also investigates common pitfalls, including extended approval timelines, cultural barriers, and legacy infrastructure constraints, highlighting practical strategies to overcome them. Emerging trends, such as predictive analytics and integrated security reviews, offer promising avenues to refine processes further. Ultimately, this review concludes that a proactive, collaborative approach—supported by careful planning, ongoing training, and continual improvement—is vital for ensuring reliable, compliant, and efficient IT change deployments in heavily regulated domains.

Keywords: ITIL, ITSM, Change Management, Service Management, Information Technology

Paper Id: 232103

Published On: 2019-10-02

Published In: Volume 7, Issue 5, September-October 2019

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