Implementing the CSDM framework in stages

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of Implementing the CSDM framework in stages

    The Common Service Data Model (CSDM) framework provides a standardized data model for managing configuration items (CIs) and their relationships within the ServiceNow Configuration Management Database (CMDB). Adopting CSDM ensures consistent, accurate reporting and analytics, which are critical for effectively managing your digital environment and maximizing the value of ServiceNow AI Platform products and applications.

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    Implementing CSDM is best approached in stages, each focusing on specific data types and offering incremental benefits. This staged approach allows your organization to build a strong foundation and progressively enhance your CMDB alignment with CSDM best practices.

    Key Implementation Stages

    • Foundation: Prepare referential data using base-system tables to enable accurate reporting and support informed business decisions. This stage sets the groundwork for leveraging ServiceNow products effectively.
    • Crawl: Focus on base-system CMDB tables related to IT Service Management (ITSM) processes, establishing core IT operational data.
    • Walk: Identify and populate network infrastructure CIs and applications maintained by your technical teams to represent your IT environment comprehensively.
    • Run: Establish relationships between technology components and the business units that sell or consume them, bridging technology and business perspectives.
    • Fly: Complete the CSDM implementation process, including optional early implementation of the Information Object table if business needs dictate. This final stage ensures a mature, fully integrated data model.

    Important Configuration and Processes

    • Activate the CSDM Plugin: Enable the plugin to start implementing the CSDM framework within your ServiceNow environment.
    • Migrate and Sync Existing Data: Perform necessary tasks to migrate your existing application data into the appropriate CMDB tables following CSDM standards.
    • Enable Life-Cycle Sync: Align life-cycle values across assets, CIs, and Installed Base Instances (IBI) by converting legacy status fields to standardized CSDM life-cycle stage and status pairs. Business rules maintain synchronization continuously.
    • Configure Monitoring Dashboards: Use the CSDM Data Foundations dashboard to track key metrics and assess your CSDM implementation health.

    Best Practices and Guidance

    • Use only the relationships defined in the CSDM model when linking tables to maintain data integrity.
    • Collaborate with ServiceNow product teams to align on shared data models and extensions.
    • Adhere to agreed-upon CSDM definitions, base tables, and recommended technologies for integrating external data sources.
    • Follow provided guidance for setting up and utilizing ServiceNow AI Platform products to ensure integration consistency and data quality.

    Improving and Assessing Your Implementation

    ServiceNow offers the CSDM Assessment for Impact Customers, providing best practices, expert guidance, and personalized content to help plan and enhance your CSDM implementation. This resource supports continuous improvement and alignment with ServiceNow AI Platform processes.

    Following the CSDM framework ensures that you meet your primary goal of consistent accuracy in reporting and analytics so you can effectively manage your digital environment.

    The CSDM data framework

    The CSDM is the data framework that admins should follow when they set up ServiceNow products and applications. The standards for defining configuration items (CIs) and relationships between CIs in the CMDB ensure that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The result is maximum value from ServiceNow AI Platform products, apps, and features.

    Activating CSDM

    Enabling CSDM life-cycle sync between legacy fields and related assets
    You can align life-cycle values for each product instance on the asset, CI, and IBI tables. A one-time process moves legacy status values for asset and CI across the platform to standard CSDM life-cycle value pairs (life cycle stage and life cycle stage status). Business rules then run regularly to ensure identical IBI, asset, and CI life-cycle data for each product instance.
    Activate the CSDM plugin
    Activate the CSDM plugin so you can begin implementing the framework.
    Migrate and sync existing data to the CSDM framework
    You complete several tasks to ensure that your existing application data migrates successfully to the required tables in the CMDB.

    Implementing the CSDM framework

    It's best to use a staged approach when you implement the CSDM framework. Each implementation stage involves particular information types and provides specific benefits. Because each stage builds on the preceding stage, we use an analogy to the way a person develops: foundation, crawl, walk, run, and, eventually, fly.
    CSDM stages: foundation, crawl, walk, run, and fly.
    Note:
    Business applications reference information objects in the information portfolio. You might need to implement the Information Object table [cmdb_ci_information_object] earlier than the Fly stage. Your business requirements determine the right stage for implementing the table.
    CSDM implementation stages — Foundation
    In the Foundation stage of implementing the CSDM framework, you prepare the referential data that enables accurate reporting to support good business decisions. Use the base-system tables when you begin implementing the CSDM to derive the highest value from your ServiceNow products and the ServiceNow AI Platform.
    CSDM implementation stages — Crawl
    In the Crawl stage, you work on base-system CMDB tables that are associated with IT Service Management (ITSM).
    CSDM implementation stages — Walk
    In the Walk stage, you identify and populate the network infrastructure CIs and applications that your organization's technical teams support.
    CSDM implementation stages — Run
    In the Run stage, you set up the relationship between a technology and the business that sells and/or consumes the technology.
    CSDM implementation stages — Fly stage
    When you reach the Fly stage, you've accomplished all or most of the process of implementing the CSDM framework. The fly stage completes the process.

    Key guidelines for you to follow

    • When linking CSDM tables, use only the relationships that are designed in the model.
    • Collaborate on the shared data model with other product teams. Also, when you extend CSDM and related functionality, be sure to follow the provided guidance. Following the guidance and collaborating with other product teams helps you achieve the best design.
    • Use agreed-upon CSDM definitions whenever you use a table, reference, or attribute.
    • Use the provided CSDM base tables.
    • Use the recommended technologies when you integrate external data sources. The specified process ensures data integrity and integration consistency.
    • Follow the provided guidance for setting up and using ServiceNow AI Platform products.

    Improve your CSDM implementation

    The CSDM Assessment provides Impact Customers with leading practices and prescriptive guidance on the CSDM and how it supports processes on the ServiceNow AI Platform. To help your organization plan for and implement CSDM, the assessment includes interactions with ServiceNow CSDM experts and personalized content. See Common Service Data Model (CSDM) Assessment Accelerators.