Ownership of CI

[RoyoV]

Hi all, i need help learning about the factors that determine ownership of CIs in a ServiceNow CMDB instance.These are a few questions that i need help with:

1.Does every CI have an owner field?

2.Who is considered the owner of a CI? What role does he play?

3.What are the other fields of a CI apart from "owner" that can help in determining  the ownership of that CI?
Thanks

[Abbas_5 · Accepted solution]

Hello @RoyoV,

In ServiceNow's CMDB, CI ownership is managed through a combination of individual and group assignments, with a focus on accuracy and reliability of data. CI owners are responsible for validating CI data, documenting operational aspects, and ensuring integrations with vendors. Ownership can be assigned at a group level (e.g., support, change, approval) or at a more individual level (e.g., business or technical owners). 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Key Responsibilities of CI Owners:

• Data Validation:

  CI owners are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of CI data within the CMDB. 
• Documentation:

  They document operational aspects of the CIs, including applications, tools, and procedures. 
• Integration:

  They oversee the use of recommended integrations from vendors to/from ServiceNow. 
• Accountability:

  They are accountable for the information related to specific assets or components under their control. 

How Ownership is Managed:

• Group Identification:

  Ownership is often managed through group identification, such as Support Groups for incidents, Change Groups for implementing changes, and Approval Groups for approving changes. 
• Individual or Group Level:

  Ownership can be assigned to specific individuals or groups, depending on the organization's needs. 
• Business vs. Technical Owners:

  Some organizations may distinguish between business and technical owners for CI responsibilities. 

Tips for Managing CI Owners:

• Assign at a group level:

  It's generally recommended to assign ownership at a group level rather than a specific individual, as this can provide a more robust and scalable solution.
• Ensure clear understanding:

  CI owners should have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities.
• Utilize service mapping:

  Use service mapping to visualize the relationships between CIs and their owners.
• Implement ESS forms:

  Provide a mechanism for owners to update CI metadata, such as through an Employee Self-Service (ESS) form.
• Include approval processes:

  Incorporate approval processes to ensure that changes to CI data are properly vetted.
• Regular validation:

  Schedule regular validation tasks to ensure that CI data remains accurate and up-to-date. 

By implementing a well-defined CI ownership strategy, organizations can improve the accuracy and reliability of their CMDB data, which is crucial for effective IT service management and operations. 

If this is helpful, please hit the thumbs up button and accept the correct solution by referring to this solution in future it will be helpful to them.

Thanks & Regards,

Abbas Shaik

[RoyoV]

Thank you Abbas_5. Found this useful