how to... | twenty-three
how to...
[implement confi guration management]
Implementing Confi guration Management is no mean feat and, if you
Data Model Architect
are starting from scratch, it could feel like an insurmountable task.
This person is key to understanding and
Here we take a look at some of the tools and techniques that can be
developing the design and functionality
documents for the CMDB. Whether
used to help you rise to the challenge.
the decision is made to purchase a
CMDB tool or develop one in-house
Words: Sally Smith
this person will have an in-depth
understanding of how CI information
should be categorised, what systems
C
onfi guration Management has The following roles are typical of a CM should link into the CMDB, what the
been discussed in the IT Project Team: interdependencies are and what level of
Service Management (ITSM) Confi guration Management ‘Owner’/ granularity is required.
press a lot lately. Particular Project Manager
emphasis has been on the cost saving It is advised that the ‘owner’ of the The justification for a
benefi ts that could be achieved Confi guration Management process CMDB is that businesses
through the implementation of a robust isn’t the person who project manages will be able to identify
Confi guration Management Database the implementation. However, in my assets which are no
(CMDB). The justifi cation is that experience budget restrictions usually longer used and as a
businesses will be able to identify assets mean that this person is responsible for result begin utilising
which are no longer used and as a result both. This person will oversee the delivery what they have
begin utilising what they have. of the project and will be responsible for
updating the key stakeholders.
Identify Your Assets Budget Stakeholder
So, how do you implement Confi guration This person will be responsible for
Management and create a complete leading the project team, acquiring
CMDB? funding and signing off the budget.
Usually this will be the Confi guration
Step 1 Management ‘Owner’s’ direct Manager.
It would be foolhardy for one person to Key Stakeholders
undertake this type of project on their This is usually a group of people who
own. As in most projects there needs to are directly affected by the proposed
be a core group of people responsible for plan and will be crucial in the successful
identifying goals and objectives, as well implementation and uptake across the
as steering the direction of the project. organisation. Change Managers, Problem
Managers and Service Desk Managers
are often included in this list.
Configuration
Management:
Asset Management of the Confi guration Management process
The focus here is the fi nancial information they are referred to as Confi guration Items
Key Components
related to cost, depreciation and contract (CI). A CI can be a physical object such
management. In some organisations only IT as a server or a technical document, or
In order to understand Confi guration assets over a certain value will be included. something less tangible, like software.
Management it is necessary to explain A CI will have attributes listed against it
what the key components are and why Confi guration Management covering the identity and confi guration of
they are so important: Confi guration Management happens when the item and this information will be pulled
the interdependencies between assets and directly from the Inventory and Asset Lists.
Inventory Management other IT services and systems are identifi ed
The process whereby IT assets are alongside the information contained within Confi guration Management
identifi ed and recorded in terms of the Asset and Inventory lists. Database (CMDB)
location, quantity, owner and key physical The CMDB stores all the CIs, each of the
characteristics such as confi guration or Confi guration Item (CI) CI’s attributes and the interdependencies
version number. When assets are under the management between each CI.
august.september | 2009 SupportWorld
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