Relationship Governance Tool for CMDB Configuration Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inaccurate relationships in configuration management databases (CMDBs) of managed networks lead to inefficiencies in information technology service management and operations, as they can result in redundant, conflicting, or insufficient representations of operational associations between configuration items.
Innovation Solution
A relationship governance tool is introduced that allows for the creation and enforcement of preferred relationships for configuration item classes, providing graphical user interfaces to guide users in defining these relationships and ensuring consistency, thereby facilitating accurate and efficient operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual relationship definition is performed without guidance, then flexibility in defining relationships is maintained, but accuracy and consistency of relationships deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes relationship templates with predefined relationship types and target configuration item classes before users need to define relationships. These templates contain validated relationship definitions that users can select and apply, eliminating the need to manually create relationships from scratch and ensuring accuracy while simplifying the definition process.
Solution Approach 2:
Relationship templates serve as intermediaries between users and the configuration item relationships. Instead of users directly defining relationships without guidance, the templates provide structured guidance and validation, acting as a mediator that ensures relationship accuracy while reducing the complexity of relationship definition.
2Productivity
If relationship templates are pre-defined for configuration item classes, then relationship creation speed is improved, but adaptability to unique relationship needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The relationship template system is designed to be dynamic, allowing templates to be created, modified, and updated based on evolving relationship requirements. Users can create custom templates for unique relationship needs and modify existing templates to adapt to changing requirements, ensuring the system remains versatile while maintaining the productivity benefits of pre-defined templates.
Solution Approach 2:
The relationship template mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides pre-defined templates for common relationships to speed up creation, allows customization for unique relationships, and enables validation to ensure accuracy. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the system both efficient and adaptable.
3Measurement precision
If relationship validation is enforced, then relationship accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Validation rules are pre-configured within relationship templates before users define relationships. The system performs validation checks automatically based on these pre-established rules, ensuring relationship accuracy without requiring users to manually verify each relationship definition, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to users when relationship definitions violate validation rules, guiding users to correct inaccuracies. This automated feedback mechanism ensures relationship accuracy while maintaining ease of operation by clearly indicating what needs to be corrected rather than requiring complex manual validation processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote network management platform may include a database containing representations of configuration items associated with a managed network that is managed by the remote network management platform. The remote network management platform may further include a server device. The server device may be configured to obtain a plurality of preferred relationships for a particular configuration item class. The server device may be further configured to store, in the database, the plurality of preferred relationships. The server device may also be configured to visually provide indications of one or more respective pairings of relationship types and target configuration item classes from a plurality of preferred relationships, receive a selection of a particular relationship type and a particular target configuration item class in accordance with one of the indications, and store, in the database, the particular configuration item with the particular relationship type and the particular target configuration item class.