What is a Request for Change (SMCR), and why is it 'change-based' rather than 'transport-based'?

It requests a change to software components/config objects (enhancement / bug fix / SAP Note — transportable or manual) and is the container/parent for the follow-up implementation + test activities.

It's based on the change, not the transport — that's key to ChaRM — and can hold multiple scope items across multiple systems. Implementation shouldn't start until the RfC is created, validated by the change manager, and approved by the change advisory board.