Week 2: Presentations, Workshops, and Diving into CMDB & CSDM
Week 2 was an engaging mix of presentations, workshop facilitation, and a deeper dive into CMDB and CSDM.
CMDB felt somewhat familiar to me, but CSDM? That was a grey area initially. I’ll admit, I approached it with a bit of scepticism.
This week, it was my turn to present. More content, less time - a classic challenge. Sifting through the data to highlight only the most relevant points required sharp focus. Prioritising what not to say was just as important as choosing what to present.
It is also natural to speak more about something you already know but it is key to strike a balance there and understand that it is equally important to bring in both the topics in alignment with each other.
The key takeaway this week? Understanding how CMDB and CSDM work in tandem to shape a solution especially in the context of our case study was crucial. Focusing more on CSDM and less on CMDB aspects is key.
CMDB(Configuration Management Database) – Starting with Discovery, Service Mapping and delving into different sources populating the CMDB which includes data from 3rd party systems. Data Governance, Non CMDB data also to be taken into consideration.
CSDM (Common Service Data Model) is a framework provided by ServiceNow that helps organisations standardise the way data is structured in the CMDB. Current version is V4 but CSDM V5 is rolling out soon. It provides a set of best practices for organising configuration data to support key business outcomes, such as service mapping, reporting, and efficient incident management. It basically defines how different components-like business applications, services, and infrastructure relate to each other.
With limited time at hand, I found myself needing to carefully balance two priorities: exploring the vast and often complex world of CMDB, while at the same time ensuring I built a strong and clear foundation in CSDM. To make this learning journey both structured and approachable, I relied heavily on the "Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly" model - a simple yet powerful way to break down and explain the fundamentals of CSDM.
This model doesn’t just simplify the concepts; it also offers a clear, phased view of what’s expected at each stage of an organisation's maturity. It highlights not only what needs to happen, but also when it should happen, creating a sense of direction and purpose.
As organisations advance through each phase - from crawling to eventually flying -the CSDM framework helps ensure they are continuously improving, developing stronger practices, and gaining deeper insights into their data and processes. It’s more than just a model; it becomes a road map that guides sustainable growth and transformation.
The Most popular CSDM diagram and the CSDM white paper helped me craft a strong narrative. Initially, CSDM concepts felt abstract. But real-world examples helped clarify how to classify them and more importantly, how to determine the right starting point for each customer. Not every organization follows the same path; it depends entirely on their current maturity and landscape.
Applying these principles to the case study helped connect theory to practice.
We also touched on other essential skills like running effective workshops and honing presentation techniques. I won’t dive too deep here - some things are best experienced firsthand, and I’d rather not spoil it for those yet to go through the program.
My biggest learning this week was the importance of truly understanding the case study and shaping the presentation to fit - not just the problem, but the people whom we present to. This experience helped me grow both technically and strategically.
Every week, we’re expected to tailor our presentations based on the stakeholders we engage with. Striking the right balance between process, technical depth, and business relevance hinges entirely on knowing your audience. The same solution can sound entirely different depending on who’s listening.
The case study itself holds clues sometimes buried deep in the numbers that shape the direction of your solution. It’s easy to overlook small details, but often, those are the ones that make or break your story. Paying close attention to these nuances allowed me to craft solutions that not only address the problem but also seamlessly integrate CMDB and CSDM frameworks.
This week reminded me: sharp analysis, audience focus, and an eye for detail aren’t just check boxes -they’re the backbone of delivering real value.
And to top it off-I was honoured to receive my first award in the cohort: Star of the Week. Getting recognised for this topic was a real boost, and it only fuelled my motivation to dive deeper and keep learning.
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