The correct answer is to inform the IT manager and ask for a decision on whether to proceed. This is because the change authority decision during implementation ITIL 4 hinges on the principle that any deviation from the approved scope—such as the unexpected reboot causing an outage—introduces unassessed risk. The original approval was based on a patch with no reboot, so the IT manager, as the change authority, must re-evaluate the change enablement practice to authorize the new risk. On the ITIL 4 Foundation exam, this tests your understanding that a change authority retains decision-making power throughout the lifecycle, not just at initial approval. A common trap is assuming the implementer can proceed if the reboot is necessary; instead, remember that any new risk requires a fresh authorized decision. Memory tip: "Scope shift, authority lift"—when the scope changes, the decision must go back up to the authority.
ITIL4F ITIL Management Practices Practice Question
This ITIL4F practice question tests your understanding of itil management practices. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Configuration item: WebServer01
Status: Active
Category: Software
Location: Datacenter A
Relationships:
- Is connected to: NetworkSwitch03
- Runs on: VirtualHost01
- Is used by: Application: OrderApp
Change order: CHG00123
Requested by: John.Smith
Change authority: IT Manager
Justification: Upgrade OS to patch security vulnerability
Risk level: Low
Status: Approved
Refer to the exhibit. A change order to patch a security vulnerability on WebServer01 has been approved. The IT manager is the change authority. During implementation, it is discovered that the patch requires a reboot, which will cause an outage for the OrderApp application. What is the MOST appropriate action?
Refer to the exhibit.
Configuration item: WebServer01
Status: Active
Category: Software
Location: Datacenter A
Relationships:
- Is connected to: NetworkSwitch03
- Runs on: VirtualHost01
- Is used by: Application: OrderApp
Change order: CHG00123
Requested by: John.Smith
Change authority: IT Manager
Justification: Upgrade OS to patch security vulnerability
Risk level: Low
Status: Approved
A
Inform the IT manager and ask for a decision on whether to proceed.
The IT manager is the change authority and can reassess based on new information.
B
Escalate to the change advisory board (CAB) for a new approval.
Why wrong: The change authority is the IT manager, not the CAB, and the risk is still low; escalation is unnecessary.
C
Proceed with the change as planned, since the change is already approved.
Why wrong: The approval did not consider the reboot outage, so proceeding could cause unexpected downtime.
D
Cancel the change and request a new one with updated information.
Why wrong: This is too drastic; the change can be reassessed without canceling.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Inform the IT manager and ask for a decision on whether to proceed.
The change order was approved based on the original scope, which did not include a reboot. The discovery that a reboot is required introduces a new risk (application outage) that was not assessed during the initial approval. The IT manager, as the change authority, must be informed and make a decision on whether to proceed with the change under the new circumstances, in line with the ITIL 4 'change enablement' practice of managing risk and ensuring authorized decisions.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Inform the IT manager and ask for a decision on whether to proceed.
Why this is correct
The IT manager is the change authority and can reassess based on new information.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Escalate to the change advisory board (CAB) for a new approval.
Why it's wrong here
The change authority is the IT manager, not the CAB, and the risk is still low; escalation is unnecessary.
✗
Proceed with the change as planned, since the change is already approved.
Why it's wrong here
The approval did not consider the reboot outage, so proceeding could cause unexpected downtime.
✗
Cancel the change and request a new one with updated information.
Why it's wrong here
This is too drastic; the change can be reassessed without canceling.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a change approval is final and irrevocable, but ITIL 4 requires that any new risk discovered during implementation must be communicated to the change authority for a fresh decision, not blindly executed or automatically escalated to a CAB.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In ITIL 4, the change authority is the person or group authorized to approve a change at a specific level of risk. When new information (like a required reboot causing an outage) emerges during implementation, the change authority must reassess the risk and either approve the revised change, reject it, or request a new change with updated details. This aligns with the 'change enablement' practice's emphasis on continuous risk evaluation and the 'authorization' activity, which is not a one-time event but can be revisited as new facts arise.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
ITIL Management Practices — This question tests ITIL Management Practices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Inform the IT manager and ask for a decision on whether to proceed. — The change order was approved based on the original scope, which did not include a reboot. The discovery that a reboot is required introduces a new risk (application outage) that was not assessed during the initial approval. The IT manager, as the change authority, must be informed and make a decision on whether to proceed with the change under the new circumstances, in line with the ITIL 4 'change enablement' practice of managing risk and ensuring authorized decisions.
What should I do if I get this ITIL4F question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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