The CMDB Imperative: How to Realize the Dream and Avoid the Nightmares

Implement Configuration Management Databases that Deliver Rapid ROI and Sustained Business ValueImplementing an enterprise-wide Configuration Management Database (CMDB) is one of the most influential actions an IT organization can take to improve service delivery and bridge the gap between technology and the business. With a well-designed CMDB in place, companies are better positioned to manage and optimize IT infrastructure, applications, and services; automate more IT management tasks; and restrain burgeoning costs. Now, theres an objective, vendor-independent guide to making a CMDB work in your organization. The CMDB Imperative presents a start-to-finish implementation methodology that works and describes how the CMDB is shifting to the superior Configuration Management System (CMS).Expert CMDB industry analyst Glenn ODonnell and leading-edge architect and practitioner Carlos Casanova first review the drivers behind a CMDB and the technical, economic, cultural, and political obstacles to success. Drawing on the experiences of hundreds of organizations, they present indispensable guidance on architecting and customizing CMDB solutions to your specific environment. Theyll guide you through planning, implementation, transitioning into production, day-to-day operation and maintenance, and much more. Coverage includesDefining the tasks and activities associated with configuration managementUnderstanding the CMDBs role in ITIL and the relationship between CMDBs and ITIL v3s CMSBuilding software models that accurately represent each entity in your IT environmentEnsuring information accuracy via change management and automated discoveryUnderstanding the state of the CMDB market and selling the CMDB within your organizationCreating federated CMDB architectures that successfully balance autonomy with centralized controlPlanning a deployment strategy that sets appropriate priorities and reflects a realistic view of your organizations maturityIntegrating systems and leveraging established and emerging standardsPreviewing the future of the CMDB/CMS and how it will be impacted by key trends such as virtualization, SOA, mobility, convergence, and flexi-sourcingForeword xi Prologue xiiiChapter 1: The Need for Process Discipline 1 Chapter 2: What Is a CMDB? 25 Chapter 3: Planning for the CMS 57 Chapter 4: The Federated CMS Architecture 91 Chapter 5: CMS Deployment Strategy 133 Chapter 6: IntegrationTheres No Way Around It! 177 Chapter 7: The Future of the CMS 197 Chapter 8: Continual Improvement for the CMS 241 Chapter 9: Leveraging the CMS 265 Chapter 10: Enjoy the Fruits of Success 297Glossary 313