Requesters

Requesters are individuals or organizations that submit requests to obtain information, services, or resources from another party, typically a service provider, administrator, or vendor. The term is used across domains such as information technology, data governance, procurement, and customer service, and it designates the initiator of a formal or informal inquiry or demand.

In IT service management, a requester creates a service or access request, providing necessary details (identity, scope, urgency). The provider then reviews, approves based on policy, assigns priority, and fulfills or denies the request, communicating status to the requester. In data governance and privacy contexts, a requester may be a data subject, a controller, or a third party who seeks access, correction, restriction, or deletion of personal data under applicable laws (for example GDPR). In procurement, a requester initiates a purchase requisition or contract request, specifying items, quantities, budgets, and timelines, subject to approvals and sourcing processes.

Key responsibilities for requesters include supplying complete information, adhering to applicable policies, using designated channels, and tracking progress. For providers, clear requirements, timely communication, and transparent decision-making are essential to manage expectations and maintain accountability.

Common challenges involve incomplete information, ambiguous requirements, conflicting priorities, and privacy or security constraints. Effective management of requesters relies on standardized intake processes, documented service levels, and audit trails to ensure traceability from submission to fulfillment.