Which of the following represents a change due to external factors in service operations?

The identification of new governance rules as a change due to external factors in service operations is accurate because governance rules are typically established by external regulatory bodies or market conditions that organizations must adhere to. These rules can impact how services are delivered and managed, requiring organizations to adapt their operations accordingly.

In essence, external factors encompass regulations, compliance requirements, and market shifts that originate from outside the organization and necessitate adjustments in operational practices. New governance rules can dictate changes in policies, processes, and even the way services are governed, making them a clear example of how external influences shape internal operational decisions.

In contrast, changes in staffing, updates to system software, and alterations in service level agreements are often driven by internal organizational decisions or strategies, meaning they are not classified as external changes. While these changes are important for the operations of the organization, they do not stem from external factors in the same way that governance rules do. Thus, recognizing new governance rules underscores the understanding of how external influences impact service operations directly.