Final answer:
A configuration change in IT service management is a significant modification in the status of a configuration item, requiring careful documentation and control to ensure service integrity. It is analogous to phase changes in matter, where the state of a system changes through thermodynamic processes without altering its chemical composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of any change of state that has significance for the management of a configuration item (CI) or IT service is known as a configuration change. In the context of IT service management, specifically within frameworks such as ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), this involves the alteration in the status of a CI across its lifecycle. Configuration changes are critical because they can potentially impact the services provided to users, necessitating careful tracking and management. These changes typically are documented and governed by change management processes to ensure that they are beneficial, authorized, and that any potential risks are mitigated.
A change of state in varieties of matter—solids, liquids, and gases—known as phase changes, similarly illustrates how the state of a system may undergo significant transitions. These physical changes, often the result of temperature variations, do not alter the chemical composition of the substance. During a thermodynamic process, such as melting or vaporization, the temperature of a system remains constant while the substance transitions between different states of matter.