ITIL4F ITIL Management Practices Practice Question
Which of the following is an example of a standard change?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Resetting a user's password after they forget it
Standard changes are pre-approved, low-risk, and follow a defined procedure. Password resets are typical standard changes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Implementing a new firewall to protect the network
Why it's wrong here
Implementing a new firewall represents a significant infrastructure modification, introducing new components and altering the security posture of the network. This type of change requires thorough planning, detailed risk assessment, and formal authorization from a change authority, classifying it as a normal change. It is far too complex and impactful to be considered a pre-approved, low-risk standard change.
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Patenting a critical server vulnerability during business hours
Why it's wrong here
"Patenting" a critical server vulnerability is not an IT service change type within the ITIL framework; it refers to intellectual property rights. However, if the intent was to "patching" a critical server vulnerability, this would typically be classified as an emergency change. Emergency changes are reserved for urgent fixes to critical incidents that require immediate action to restore service or prevent significant business impact, bypassing standard change procedures due to the severity and urgency.
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Upgrading the entire email system to a new version
Why it's wrong here
Upgrading an entire email system is a major undertaking involving substantial planning, extensive testing, potential service disruption, and significant user impact across the organization. Such a complex and high-impact initiative necessitates a formal normal change process, including detailed assessment, scheduling, and multiple levels of authorization. It is not a routine, pre-approved, or low-risk activity characteristic of a standard change.
- ✓
Resetting a user's password after they forget it
Why this is correct
Resetting a user's password is a classic example of a standard change because it is a routine, frequently occurring, and low-risk activity with a well-defined and proven procedure. This type of request is typically pre-authorized, allowing service desk staff to execute it immediately without requiring additional approvals, thereby ensuring efficient and rapid resolution for common user issues.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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