Change request (CAB) template
Change description, impact, backout and approvals. Free download in Word.
Download the change request (cab) template
Describes a migration change for the change advisory board: what will change, why, the impact and risk, how it will be tested and backed out, and who approves it.
Free to use and adapt. Document ID CM-TPL-EXE-03, version 1.0, November 2026.
What the template includes
Document sections
- Change summary · One-line title and the key facts the CAB will scan first.
- Description and reason · What is changing and why, in plain language.
- Implementation steps · High-level steps. Reference the runbook and runsheet for detail.
- Impact assessment · Who and what is affected during and after the change.
- Risk assessment · Rate the overall risk and list the main risks with mitigations.
- Testing and verification · How success will be confirmed, and what was tested before.
- Backout plan · Exact steps, owner, the time taken and the latest decision point.
- Communications · Who is told, when and how.
- Approvals · CAB and business approvals.
- Post-implementation record · Complete after the change.
How to use this template
- Raise one change request per wave or major tenant change; reference it in the cutover runsheet.
- Submit at least one full CAB cycle before the change window; emergency changes follow your emergency process.
- Write the backout plan so someone other than the author could execute it, with a clear decision time.
- Attach the runbook, runsheet, test results and communications as supporting evidence.
- Update the record with the actual outcome and close it after the post-implementation check.
Ready to share with your steering committee
- Branded cover or instructions page with document ID and version
- QR code linking to the latest version, and a Code128 barcode for your document register
- Document control, approval block and a clear disclaimer
- Example rows written for real migration projects, which you replace with your own
Guides that use this template
Questions about this template
Is the change request (cab) template free?
Yes. Download it in Word and adapt it for your organisation. No sign-up is needed.
Can I use it in Google Sheets or Google Docs?
Yes. Upload the file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets or Docs. Dropdowns and most formulas carry across; check conditional formatting after converting.
Can I remove the Cloud-Migrations branding?
Yes. Replace the logo and footer with your own. Keep the disclaimer in mind: the template is general guidance and needs adapting to your project.
How do I know I have the latest version?
Scan the QR code on the cover or instructions sheet. It opens this page, which always links to the current version.