---
sourceDocument: Australia Governance, Risk, and Compliance
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/governance-risk-compliance

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    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Governance, Risk, and Compliance

ft:clusterId :

    - grc

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    - grc

workflow :

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---

# Element definitions and variables

# Element definitions and variables {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

An element definition is a configuration item that is assessed in the business impact analysis. The element definitions are also recovered in the business continuity plan. If you have the administrator role, you can set up an
element variable that is required for a particular dependency of an element.  
The BCM administrator can configure the element definitions in the Business Continuity Management application. These element definitions are defined in the Business Continuity Management application:

* Applications
* Business Processes
* Computer Room
* Datacenter Zone
* Datacenters
* Employees
* Linux Server
* Locations
* Software
* Vendors
* Web Server
* Windows Server
{#element-definitions__ul_xzw_qht_pxb}

The example shows the element definitions in an instance.

The example shows the configuration of an element definition by the Business Continuity Management administrator.

## Configuration of an element definition {#element-definitions__id_vlr_xss_zxb}

For more information on configuring an element definition with the BCM administrator role, see [Configure element definition](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/H5MDrYMLZ8IujLe9cZeqQA "Configure element definitions to identify the configuration item that has to be assessed in a business impact analysis and recovered in a business continuity plan. Use the Element Definitions module in the Business Continuity Management application navigator to configure an element definition.").  
Note:  
Starting with the Xanadu release, the element definition filter for the Hardware element definition has been updated. You can now add a Windows server asset in the Windows server element definition or a Linux server asset in the Linux server element definition. However, you cannot add the Windows server asset or the Linux server asset in the filter of the Hardware element definition.

## Configuration of an element variable {#element-definitions__id_fn4_q2z_fyb}

As a functional system administrator, you can set up an element variable that is required for a particular dependency of an element. The example shows an administrator's view of the element variable record.

For more information on how to configure an element variable in the Business Continuity Management application with an administrator role, see [Configure element variables for element definitions](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/5GNytf9iSvx4WQONRhEkRg "Configure an element variable for a specific dependency of an element. To do this, use the Element variables module in the Business Continuity Management application navigator.").