Using the right group field in the CMDB

[Mike McCall]

I've found a lot of posts around making use of the group fields on the Configuration Item [cmdb_ci] table, and I'm also aware that you can create an infinite number of relationships between CIs and Groups.

However, I can't find a recommendation behind the standard group fields available on the base CI table. What would we use each of the three CMDB groups for?

1. Assignment Group
2. Approval Group
3. Support Group

To be honest, I'm mostly confused about Assignment Group and Support Group. By name alone, I can guess the proper use for "Approval Group," but I can't see a difference between "Assignment" and "Support" (and I don't want to make things harder down-the-line because I chose incorrectly at the start).

[acirovic1]

Support group relates to the incident process.

The assignment group is for the change process, the group that performs changes on the CI.

[Uncle Rob]

Punch me in my eye.   Really?
Does it work in an automated fashion or does it just assume you're going to know that?

[Mike McCall]

I appreciate everyone's input, as always, but I'm leaning towards marking Aleksandar's as the Correct Answer...

Aleksandar, can you explain your reply a little more?

[Mike McCall]

Thanks for the reply, Aleksandar. Can I ask what you're basing your decisions on? Support Group seems to continue to rise to the top, but I'm intrigued by your comment about Assignment Group.

By the way, I did some more research into the larger CMDB/Asset landscape:

On the Asset table...

1. Support Group is the "Group to which incidents regarding this asset should be directed"
2. Supported By is the "Person to which incidents regarding this asset should be directed" (though there's no dependency on Support Group)
3. Assigned To is the "Person using or primarily responsible for this item"

Looking more into CIs...

1. Assigned To is the "Person using or primarily responsible for this item" (and it's dependent on the Company field!)