What is a Change Request?

This article is to help decipher what is a change request versus a bug.

A change request is a formal proposal to alter something within an organization or project. Typically used to propose modifications to systems, processes, or products, change requests can introduce new features, improvements, or fixes for issues. They detail the proposed change, reasons for it, and potential impacts. These requests are often reviewed and approved by relevant parties before implementation.
What is a Bug?
A bug is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system causing it to produce incorrect or unexpected results or behave in unintended ways. Bugs arise from various factors like coding errors, design flaws, or compatibility issues, with impacts ranging from minor annoyances to major security vulnerabilities. Debugging involves identifying and fixing bugs to restore correct operation.
Difference Between Change Request and Bug
Change Request: A proactive request to alter something, such as adding new features, improvements, or fixes.
Bug: An unexpected issue that needs fixing due to errors or flaws in the system.
While a change request is proactive, a bug is reactive. However, distinctions can blur; for instance, adding a missing feature could be a change request or a bug fix.
Details of Change Requests and Bugs
Change Requests:

• A formal proposal to alter something in a project.
• Used for new features, improvements, or problem fixes.
• Outline proposed change, reasons, and impacts.
• Reviewed and approved before implementation.

Bugs:

• Errors causing incorrect or unexpected results.
• Caused by coding errors, design flaws, or compatibility issues.
• Impacts range from minor to critical.
• Fixed through debugging.

Fixing Bugs
Debugging identifies and implements solutions to fix bugs, restoring system functionality.
Reporting Bugs and Submitting Change Requests
Spotting a Bug: Submit bugs to your Project Manager or via your customer portal. Bugs and change requests are evaluated, and a change order is sent before fixing.
Submitting Change Requests: Submit requests to your project manager or through the customer portal. Requests require customer signoff before production.
View the status of all open change requests in your customer portal.
FAQs

1. What is a change request?
   A formal proposal to alter something in a project, used for new features, improvements, or fixes.
2. What is a bug?
   An error or flaw causing incorrect or unexpected results, fixed through debugging.
3. How do I report a bug?
   Submit to your Project Manager or via the customer portal.
4. How do I submit a change request?
   Submit to your project manager or through the customer portal.