--- title: Manage change suggestions description: Move ideas from comment, to change suggestion to implemented version—discuss, approve, implement, and publish with full history. url: "https://gluu.biz/documentation/monitoring-improving-processes/manage-change-suggestions/" updated: "2026-09-01" category: Monitoring and improving processes tags: - Process Governance - Versioning --- # Manage change suggestions *Goal: Move ideas from comment, to change suggestion to implemented version—discuss, approve, implement, and publish with full history.* Version management can start with a **change suggestion** and flow through discussion, status, implementation, and versioning. Related: capture ideas via [comments](#manage-user-comments). For full versioning, see [How to handle versioning in Gluu](https://gluu.biz/documentation/monitoring-improving-processes/manage-versioning/). ### Before you start - **Plan:** Commenting and change suggestions are available on the Essential and Advanced plans. The customizable approval flow and advanced version management described here require the Versioning add-on. - **Role:** Any user can add a comment or change suggestion. Editors and Owners can set status, implement suggestions, and create versions. - **Setup:** No special setup—the Versioning add-on must be enabled on the account to unlock the approval flow described in step 2. ## 1. Submit a change suggestion Any user comment can be turned into a change suggestion - and vice versa. 1. Open the **process** or **activity**. 2. Add a **comment** or start a **change suggestion**. 3. Convert between **comment** and **change suggestion** if needed. Tip: Comments and change suggestions can be [filtered](https://gluu.biz/documentation/comments-communications/manage-user-comments/)for easy findability. ![Comment converted to a change suggestion on a process page](https://gluu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-119-1140x217.png?wsr) You're done once your idea is captured as a comment or change suggestion, ready for discussion. ## 2. Review and set status Just like regular comments change suggestions can be discussed through replies inside Gluu: Discuss the suggestion and add **labels** and **details**. Name / Rename suggestions once the idea is clear and ready for formalisation: ![Renaming a change suggestion once the idea is clear](https://gluu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-120-1140x242.png?wsr) ### Change status options Editors and Owners can use the **Change Status selector** to manage the change suggestion through its life cycle: **Open**- suggestions not reviewed by Editors. **In Reviews** - suggestions in review by Editors. This is where discussion typically happens. **Approved**- suggestions approved for implementation. Once the suggestion has this status it will show for process editors. **Implemented**- suggestions that have been marked as implemented by process editors. **Rejected**- suggestions that will not be implemented. **Closed**- suggestions that are implemented and published. ![Change Status selector showing the suggestion life cycle stages](https://gluu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-121-1140x365.png?wsr) ![Change suggestion marked Approved and visible to process editors](https://gluu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-122-1140x350.png?wsr) You're done once the suggestion has the right status—Approved suggestions become visible to process editors for implementation. ## 3. Implement an approved suggestion Go to the process page and put it in **Edit mode** and open the suggestions panel. Review approved suggestions and their status. ![Suggestions panel in Edit mode showing approved change suggestions](https://gluu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-124.png?wsr) Update the **process flow** or **work instructions** and set status to **Implemented**. Save and create a **version** to bundle all changes since the last version. Name the version; history and discussion are included automatically. ![Naming a new version that bundles all changes since the last version](https://gluu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-125-1140x766.png?wsr) You're done once the change is implemented and bundled into a named version with its history attached. ## 4. See version and change history 1. Open the version update to see the combined change suggestion. 2. Click **Version changes summary** to view the change log. 3. Open any revision to compare before/after. ![Version changes summary comparing before and after a revision](https://gluu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-126.png?wsr) You're done once you can trace a change from its original comment through approval to the version that shipped it. ## FAQ – Manage change suggestions and versions **What plan and add-on do I need for the approval flow described here?** Comments and change suggestions are available on the Essential and Advanced plans. The customizable approval flow (setting status through Open, In Review, Approved, etc.) and advanced version management require the Versioning add-on on top of that plan. **What's the difference between a comment and a change suggestion?** Both start the same way, and you can convert one into the other at any time. A change suggestion is typically the one you carry through the formal review and approval life cycle, while a plain comment is more informal discussion. **Who can change a suggestion's status?** Editors and Owners can use the Change Status selector to move a suggestion through Open, In Review, Approved, Implemented, Rejected, or Closed. Other users can view and discuss but not change the status. **What happens when a suggestion is marked Approved?** Once a suggestion has Approved status, it becomes visible to process editors in the suggestions panel when they put the process into Edit mode, ready to be implemented. **How do I bundle several implemented changes into one release?** After updating the process flow or work instructions and setting status to Implemented, save and create a version. This bundles all changes made since the last version, along with their history and discussion, into a single named version. **How can I trace a change back to the original idea?** Open the version update to see the combined change suggestions it contains, click Version changes summary for the change log, or open any revision to compare before and after—each keeps its link back to the original comment or suggestion.