Change attributes define the information captured throughout the lifecycle of a change request. They include common attributes like Subject, Requester, and Priority, as well as custom attributes that are unique to specific templates. Each attribute can have its own visibility, editability, and validation rules.
Together, they ensure that all the necessary information is captured for each cahnge, leading to more efficient workflows and better record-keeping.
Attributes appear in multiple places:
When creating or updating a change request
In change templates (to standardize information collection)
Within workflows (for automation or condition logic)
As placeholders in notifications and messages
To learn more about how change templates can be customized, see customizing change templates.
Common attributes
Atomicwork includes a predefined set of common attributes that are shared across all change templates. These cover the basic details needed to record, track, and manage a change request.
Attribute name | Description |
Subject | The title of the change. Required for all change requests. |
Description | A brief explanation of what the change involves and why it’s being implemented. |
Requester | The person initiating the change. |
Tags | Labels to categorize changes for easier search and reporting. |
Group | The group responsible for managing the change. |
Agent | The individual assigned to execute or coordinate the change. |
Change type | Specifies whether the change is a Standard, Normal, or Emergency. Required by default in all templates. |
Status | Indicates the current stage of the change lifecycle (e.g., Draft, Scheduled, Closed). |
Priority | Reflects the urgency and business impact of the change, used to determine handling order. |
Urgency | Captures how soon the change needs to be implemented. |
Impact | Describes the potential scope or business impact of the change. |
Planned start date | The scheduled date and time for the change to begin. |
Planned end date | The scheduled completion date and time for the change. |
Actual start date | The actual date and time the change began implementation. |
Actual end date | The actual date and time the change was completed or closed. |
The Requester and Status attributes are always present in a change.
The Requester identifies who initiated the change. It is automatically populated when the change is created, always visible, and not editable by workspace members. It remains required at all stages of the change to maintain accountability.
The Status represents the current progress of the change. It is always visible and required throughout the change lifecycle. It can be manually updated or may be updated by the system as part of workflow actions.
Custom attributes
To capture information that’s specific to your organization or change type, you can add custom attributes to any change template. Custom attributes let you extend the form beyond the common attributes.
Adding a custom attribute to a change template
To add a custom attribute to an existing change template:
Navigate to Settings > [Your workspace] > Catalogs.
Select the Change tab to view all available change templates.
Select the template you want to edit. You will see a list of common attributes as well as custom attributes for the template.
To add a custom attribute, click on Add attribute in the Attributes specific to this template section.
Enter the following details for the attribute:
Response type: Choose the type of input (Short text, Number, Date, People, Dropdown, etc.).
Display name: Enter a label for the attribute (for example, Change owner or Rollback plan).
Date and time validation: For Date-time attributes, choose whether the field accepts only past dates, only future dates, or both.
You can also add a hint or prefill value to guide users when filling out the attribute.
Under Access settings, define when and how the attribute should appear or be edited.
See Access settings for change attributes for more details.
Click on Add to save the new attribute to the template.
Once you're done editing the template, click on Update at the top right to publish the template.
To learn how to create a change, see How to create changes.