Map all Business Application CI's dependencies

[GChanner]

We are just beginning our CMDB journey and currently do not have any Discovery/Service mapping tools. We are budgeting for this in FY26 but until then I would like to map all our 500+ business application CI's stored in the cmdb_ci_business_app table.

The goal: When you open a BA CI using the 'Dependency view' icon within the BA record, you are able to graphically see all relationship or dependencies. See attached screenshot

Question: Can this be done manually and how? or do I need a service like servicenow discovery?

I understand that doing this manually is slow, error-prone, and difficult to maintain which is why I am seeking guidance.

[JenniferA082772]

Yes, this is something that can be done manually, but as you mentioned, it's extremely time-consuming and usually becomes outdated quickly, especially with over 500 business applications.

To visualize dependencies in the Dependency View inside ServiceNow, the CMDB needs accurate relationship data (e.g., Depends on / Used by, application-to-server, server-to-server relationships, etc.). This requires gathering and maintaining all that data manually.

Most customers in this situation use an automatic application dependency mapping platform to populate those relationships. ServiceNow Discovery + Service Mapping is one option, but it can be a large project depending on your environment and budget.

There are also agentless alternatives, such as Faddom, that automatically map all application flows in real-time and can synchronize the discovered relationships back into the CMDB. That way, the Dependency View shows accurate BA relationships without the manual work.

If your goal is to get reliable maps before FY26, a lightweight mapping solution can help bridge the gap and keep your CMDB clean and up-to-date!