Check differences between instances PROD > DEV

[Igor Aguiar]

Hello, I've started working with a client, and they gave me the task of mirroring the GRC application in the DEV instance. Here’s the problem: the client doesn’t want to clone the PROD instance, so I have to do it manually.

I’m tracking the sys_update_version list, but it feels very fragile to me — I’ll probably end up missing something. What do you guys think would be the best approach, or how could I best reduce the chances of missing artifacts?

I tried using SwissNow, but it only compares records, not structures — or maybe I’m not looking at the right records?

Context: the client made all the implementation in the PROD instance, but now they want it in the DEV instance so the helpdesk team can work on incidents and upgrades.

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

Hi @Igor Aguiar 

The updated version should be available in one place, or you can try another approach:
Go to Plugins, search for the GRC plugin, and install the same one in the Dev environment.

Alternatively, you can get a list of all GRC-related plugins from the ServiceNow Docs, check what’s currently installed in Prod, and then replicate that setup in Dev.

To be frank, mate — sometimes these configurations are so critical and tightly integrated that a one-to-one comparison just doesn’t work. In such cases, cloning the environment is often the best and safest option.

[Ankur Bawiskar]

@Igor Aguiar 

Not a good practice to directly make changes in PROD.

At least customer should have DEV and PROD.

It's a tedious task to go through customer update and see what was customized and then do the same changes in DEV.

To do exact replica you will require some high level document what was done in that GRC application or some stories etc.

If you follow the sys_update_version approach you are bound to miss something or other.

If my response helped please mark it correct and close the thread so that it benefits future readers.