According to ITIL 4, why should changes be assessed before implementation?

Changes should be assessed before implementation primarily to minimize disruption and negative impacts. This assessment is a critical component of effective change management within the ITIL framework. By evaluating the potential risks, benefits, and overall impact of a proposed change, organizations can ensure that they make informed decisions that align with their strategic objectives.

Assessing changes beforehand allows teams to identify any conflicts with existing services, understand the resources required for implementation, and anticipate any complications that might arise during or after the transition. This foresight helps to mitigate risks that could lead to service outages, reduced service quality, or other detrimental effects on the organization and its stakeholders.

The focus on minimizing disruption underscores the value of maintaining service stability while enabling innovation and improvement. It reflects a proactive rather than reactive approach to managing changes, thereby supporting the organization's commitment to delivering consistent value to its customers.

The other answer choices, while they may contain elements of truth in a broader context, do not capture the primary purpose of assessing changes effectively. For instance, while quicker rollouts and preventing unnecessary approvals are important aspects of operational efficiency, they are secondary to the fundamental aim of protecting the organization from potential negative consequences of poorly assessed changes.