What is difference between incident and service request?
I'll answer
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.20
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.
40more
40more

Charlotte Johnson
Studied at Princeton University, Lives in Princeton, NJ
As an expert in the field of IT service management, I have a deep understanding of the concepts and terminologies that are used within this domain. When it comes to the difference between an incident and a service request, it's important to understand the context within which they occur and the specific roles they play in maintaining the quality and continuity of IT services.
### Incident
An incident, as defined by ITIL v3, is "an unplanned interruption to an IT service or reduction in the quality of an IT service." This means that an incident is an event that has a negative impact on the normal operation of IT services. It disrupts the workflow and can lead to a loss of productivity for the users who rely on these services. Incidents can range from minor inconveniences, such as a printer being offline, to major disruptions, such as a server going down and affecting multiple systems or services.
Key characteristics of incidents include:
1. Unplanned: Incidents are not part of the scheduled activities and occur unexpectedly.
2. Disruption: They cause a disruption in the service, which can be minor or severe depending on the nature of the incident.
3. Priority: Incidents are usually prioritized based on the severity and impact on the business, with the most critical issues being addressed first.
4. Resolution Focus: The primary goal is to restore normal service operations as quickly as possible, often through troubleshooting and fixing the immediate cause.
5. Urgency: There is a sense of urgency in addressing incidents to minimize the impact on the business and its users.
### Service Request
On the other hand, a service request is defined as "a formal request from a user for something to be provided." This could include requests for information, advice, standard changes to configurations, or access to certain services. Unlike incidents, service requests are not the result of an unplanned event; they are proactive and planned requests made by users or other stakeholders within the organization.
Key characteristics of service requests include:
1. Planned: Service requests are typically part of a planned process and are not unexpected.
2. Provision of Service: They involve the provision or modification of a service or information to meet the needs of the requester.
3. Formal Process: Service requests follow a formal process, which may include approval workflows and predefined service level agreements (SLAs).
4. Variety: They can encompass a wide range of requests, from simple password resets to complex configuration changes.
5. Non-Disruptive: Unlike incidents, service requests do not disrupt service operations; they are intended to enhance or customize the service to better meet user needs.
### Key Differences
- Nature of Occurrence: Incidents are unplanned and disruptive, while service requests are planned and non-disruptive.
- Impact on Service: Incidents have a negative impact on service quality or availability, whereas service requests aim to improve or customize the service.
- Urgency and Priority: Incidents often require immediate attention and are prioritized based on their impact, while service requests follow a more structured and less urgent process.
- Process and Protocol: Incidents are handled through an incident management process aimed at quick resolution, while service requests are processed through a service request fulfillment process that may involve approval and fulfillment steps.
- Objective: The objective of incident management is to restore service quickly, whereas the objective of service request management is to fulfill the request according to the agreed service level.
Understanding the distinction between incidents and service requests is crucial for effective IT service management. It allows organizations to categorize, prioritize, and manage IT-related issues and requests in a way that ensures minimal disruption to business operations and maximum satisfaction of user needs.
### Incident
An incident, as defined by ITIL v3, is "an unplanned interruption to an IT service or reduction in the quality of an IT service." This means that an incident is an event that has a negative impact on the normal operation of IT services. It disrupts the workflow and can lead to a loss of productivity for the users who rely on these services. Incidents can range from minor inconveniences, such as a printer being offline, to major disruptions, such as a server going down and affecting multiple systems or services.
Key characteristics of incidents include:
1. Unplanned: Incidents are not part of the scheduled activities and occur unexpectedly.
2. Disruption: They cause a disruption in the service, which can be minor or severe depending on the nature of the incident.
3. Priority: Incidents are usually prioritized based on the severity and impact on the business, with the most critical issues being addressed first.
4. Resolution Focus: The primary goal is to restore normal service operations as quickly as possible, often through troubleshooting and fixing the immediate cause.
5. Urgency: There is a sense of urgency in addressing incidents to minimize the impact on the business and its users.
### Service Request
On the other hand, a service request is defined as "a formal request from a user for something to be provided." This could include requests for information, advice, standard changes to configurations, or access to certain services. Unlike incidents, service requests are not the result of an unplanned event; they are proactive and planned requests made by users or other stakeholders within the organization.
Key characteristics of service requests include:
1. Planned: Service requests are typically part of a planned process and are not unexpected.
2. Provision of Service: They involve the provision or modification of a service or information to meet the needs of the requester.
3. Formal Process: Service requests follow a formal process, which may include approval workflows and predefined service level agreements (SLAs).
4. Variety: They can encompass a wide range of requests, from simple password resets to complex configuration changes.
5. Non-Disruptive: Unlike incidents, service requests do not disrupt service operations; they are intended to enhance or customize the service to better meet user needs.
### Key Differences
- Nature of Occurrence: Incidents are unplanned and disruptive, while service requests are planned and non-disruptive.
- Impact on Service: Incidents have a negative impact on service quality or availability, whereas service requests aim to improve or customize the service.
- Urgency and Priority: Incidents often require immediate attention and are prioritized based on their impact, while service requests follow a more structured and less urgent process.
- Process and Protocol: Incidents are handled through an incident management process aimed at quick resolution, while service requests are processed through a service request fulfillment process that may involve approval and fulfillment steps.
- Objective: The objective of incident management is to restore service quickly, whereas the objective of service request management is to fulfill the request according to the agreed service level.
Understanding the distinction between incidents and service requests is crucial for effective IT service management. It allows organizations to categorize, prioritize, and manage IT-related issues and requests in a way that ensures minimal disruption to business operations and maximum satisfaction of user needs.
2024-05-10 20:52:38
reply(1)
Helpful(1122)
Helpful
Helpful(2)
Works at the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Lives in Rome, Italy.
Well, ITIL v3 defines an incident as 'an unplanned interruption to an IT service or reduction in the quality of an IT service.' ... Service Requests however are defined as 'a formal request from a user for something to be provided -C for example, a request for information or advice'.Nov 6, 2014
2023-06-22 01:14:37

Sophia Martinez
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Well, ITIL v3 defines an incident as 'an unplanned interruption to an IT service or reduction in the quality of an IT service.' ... Service Requests however are defined as 'a formal request from a user for something to be provided -C for example, a request for information or advice'.Nov 6, 2014