How Are Change Levels Defined?

The change level (with A-level risk being the highest, decreasing sequentially to D-level) is a common risk quantification grading logic in change management systems. The key is to match changes carrying different risk levels with appropriate control resources and review processes. This avoids insufficient control for high-risk changes or excessive control over low-risk changes.

The essence of change levels is to transform abstract risks into executable control standards. The level classification from A to D is not based solely on subjective judgment, but rather a quantitative assessment combining three core dimensions: scope of impact, probability of occurrence, and severity of consequences. The specific corresponding relationships can be referred to in the table below:

**Table 1** Change levels
Level	Core Risk Characteristics (Quantification Dimension)	Typical Risk Consequence
Level A (high risk)	Scope of impact: cross-departmental/cross-business line; Probability of occurrence: medium-high; Severity of consequences: Services are interrupted, compliance violations occur, and huge economic losses are caused.	Services are interrupted, customers complain on a large scale, regulatory penalties are imposed, and huge economic losses are caused.
Level B (high risk)	Scope of impact: core services of a single department; Probability of occurrence: medium; Severity of consequences: Department-level efficiency decreases, and partial compliance risks exist.	Department work is delayed, there are minor compliance risks, and huge economic losses are caused.
Level C (medium risk)	Scope of impact: a single team or a single service phase; Probability of occurrence: low; Severity of consequences: Operations are inconvenient, and no direct economic loss is caused.	The team efficiency decreases slightly, and no additional cost is required for rectification.
Level D (lowest risk)	Scope of impact: individual operations/non-core phases; Probability of occurrence: extremely low; Severity of consequences: No substantial impact.	No negative consequences occur. The experience may even be optimized.