ServiceNow CMDB is an important source of information that enables organizations to manage their IT assets and services effectively. However, if the data within the CMDB is not healthy, it can lead to inaccurate reporting, incorrect decision-making, and ultimately affect the overall IT service delivery. It is crucial to identify and address data health issues in the CMDB to maintain its reliability and integrity. Here are some common data health issues in ServiceNow CMDB and how to identify them:
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Duplicate records: Duplicate records occur when the same CI is entered into the CMDB multiple times, resulting in inconsistencies in the data. Duplicate records can be identified by running a report that compares the CIs based on their unique identifiers.
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Orphan records: Orphan records occur when a CI is deleted or decommissioned, but the relationships to other CIs are not updated accordingly, leaving orphan records in the CMDB. Orphan records can be identified by running a report that compares the CIs based on their relationship status.
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Stale records: Stale records occur when a CI's information is outdated, leading to inaccurate reporting and decision-making. Stale records can be identified by running a report that compares the last updated date of CIs to the current date.
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Incomplete records: Incomplete records occur when the information entered for a CI is missing important details, such as its relationship to other CIs or its attributes. Incomplete records can be identified by running a report that compares the expected attributes for a CI to the actual attributes entered in the CMDB.
To prevent these data health issues from occurring in the first place, organizations should establish data governance policies and procedures and regularly review and update their ServiceNow CMDB requirements. Additionally, regular data audits and automated data validation can help maintain data integrity and reliability in the CMDB.
Contact ProV for Help with Your ServiceNow CMDB
If you need assistance with identifying and addressing common data health issues in your ServiceNow CMDB, ProV is a ServiceNow Elite Partner that can provide expert support and guidance. Contact us today to learn more about our CMDB services.
