Moving configuration changes between ServiceNow instances (e.g., from Development to Test) involves a strict lifecycle using Update Sets.13 The correct standard operating procedure to apply a remote update set is Retrieve, Preview, Commit.
1. Retrieve (The First Step):
Before you can do anything, the target instance (e.g., Production) must fetch the completed update set from the source instance (e.g., Development).
Action: You connect to the source instance and click "Retrieve Completed Update Sets." This pulls the XML file into the sys_remote_update_set table on the target instance. The state becomes Previewed or Loaded.
2. Preview (The Validation Step):
Once retrieved, you must validate the data before committing it to the database.
Action: You select the retrieved update set and click Preview Update Set.
Purpose: This checks for potential conflicts (e.g., trying to update a record that doesn't exist or has been modified locally). You must resolve all errors before proceeding.
3. Commit (The Application Step):
After the preview is successful (no errors), the changes are ready to be written to the system.
Action: Click Commit Update Set.
Result: The system writes the changes to the local tables/database. The Update Set state changes to Committed.
Why the other orders are wrong:
You cannot Preview before you Retrieve (you don't have the file yet).
You should never Commit before Previewing (this skips the safety check for conflicts).
Reference:
ServiceNow System Update Sets documentation outlines the standard process of transferring update sets: Retrieve completed update sets -> Preview update sets -> Commit update set.