changeback

Changeback is the act of returning a system, project, policy, or artifact to a previous state after a change has been implemented. The term is used across several domains and is often synonymous with rollback or revert, though its scope can be broader and sometimes informal.

In computing, a changeback typically refers to undoing a deployment or configuration change. This can involve rolling back software releases, restoring from snapshots, applying database migration reversals, or toggling feature flags to a prior state. Changebacks in software development rely on version control, testing, and rollback plans to minimize disruption and preserve data integrity.

In business and policy contexts, a changeback describes reversing a decision, rule, or price adjustment after evaluation, feedback, or unintended consequences. Policy changes might be rolled back to a previous framework, while pricing or contract terms can be changed back to prior conditions to restore market expectations or customer trust.

In product design and user experience, changebacks occur when new interfaces or features are abandoned in favor of earlier designs that users prefer. A/B testing, user feedback, and staged rollouts help determine whether a changeback is warranted and feasible.

Limitations of changebacks include potential data loss, compatibility issues, and costs associated with rework or downtime. Some changes, once thoroughly implemented or irreversible, may not be fully undoable.

See also: rollback, revert, undo, version control, feature flag, hotfix.