--- sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/servicenow-platform Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities ft:clusterId : - platcap bundleId : - platcap workflow : - Platform --- # CSDM # Common Service Data Model {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Australia * * Updated March 12, 2026 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read The CSDM is the data model that admins should follow when they set up ServiceNow products and applications. The standards for defining configuration items (CIs) and relationships between CIs in the CMDB help to promote that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The result is maximum value from ServiceNow AI Platform applications. ## About the CSDM {#csdm-landing-page__section_gvm_t3f_kjb} The CSDM data model reflects your service life cycle. The CSDM is the data model standard for all products that use the Configuration Management Database (CMDB). * ServiceNow AI Platform products, apps, and features are "CSDM-conforming". That is, they all share identical access to the underlying CSDM data model. This shared model significantly increases the power of your applications. * The CSDM guidelines support unified data access for ServiceNow AI Platform products. * The CSDM gives you clear direct prescriptive guidelines for service modeling within the CMDB. * CSDM terms and definitions support consistent and accurate service reporting. * The CSDM data model supports multiple configuration strategies and includes guidelines for using base-system tables and relationships. * You can use the CMDB query builder to create reports showing CMDB configuration items (CIs) and their relationships. {#csdm-landing-page__ul_ogw_515_2xb} ## Expert guidance to assess and improve your CSDM implementation --- the CSDM Assessment {#csdm-landing-page__section_ag5_n3n_2xb} The CSDM Assessment provides Impact Customers with leading practices and prescriptive guidance on the CSDM and how it supports processes on the ServiceNow AI Platform. To help your organization plan for and implement CSDM, the assessment includes interactions with ServiceNow CSDM experts and personalized content. See . ## CSDM documentation {#csdm-landing-page__section_jpw_nbt_1rb} |-|-| | [Explore](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/DQt4iu9LbJxcZSHJKv80VA "The CSDM is the data model that admins should follow when they set up ServiceNow products and applications. The standards for defining configuration items (CIs) and relationships between CIs in the CMDB help to promote that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The result is maximum value from ServiceNow AI Platform applications.")See how the CSDM framework ensures that CIs have the proper relationships with each other and that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The guidelines help you to get maximum value from your ServiceNow AI Platform applications. | [Configure the framework](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/AjtQ5hctGkF4AdHNY1KMgw "Activate and configure CSDM capabilities.")Following the CSDM framework ensures that you meet your primary goal of consistent accuracy in reporting and analytics so you can effectively manage your digital environment. | | [Implement the framework](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dZ~bKswe0nEGpKRLoRqCMA "The CSDM is the data model that admins should follow when they set up ServiceNow products and applications. The standards for defining configuration items (CIs) and relationships between CIs in the CMDB help to promote that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The result is maximum value from ServiceNow AI Platform applications.")Following the CSDM framework ensures that you meet your primary goal of consistent accuracy in reporting and analytics so you can effectively manage your digital environment. | [Manage the framework](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dZ~bKswe0nEGpKRLoRqCMA "The CSDM is the data model that admins should follow when they set up ServiceNow products and applications. The standards for defining configuration items (CIs) and relationships between CIs in the CMDB help to promote that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The result is maximum value from ServiceNow AI Platform applications.")The CSDM is the data model that admins should follow when they set up ServiceNow products and applications. The standards for defining configuration items (CIs) and relationships between CIs in the CMDB help to promote that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The result is maximum value from ServiceNow AI Platform applications. | | [Reference](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/7BHSQ62LV3S5PfgW7xXQuw "Reference topics provide detailed descriptions of tables, properties, forms, and roles that are used in the CSDM framework.")Reference topics provide detailed descriptions of tables, properties, forms, and roles that are used in the CSDM framework. | | [ ] {#csdm-landing-page__table_iwv_lpv_klb} ## Key principles that guided the design and development of the CSDM framework {#csdm-landing-page__section_ybq_jyr_kwb} The framework is intended to help you avoid errors in implementation and to promote that your ServiceNow AI Platform products generate accurate, complete, and consistent reports. The following principles guided the development of the CSDM framework. Use simplified concepts : Represent concepts in a simple, direct manner to eliminate duplicates and confusion over data sources. Design for reporting and analytics : A prime objective of CSDM is to support consistent analysis. Prescribe the data relationships : Tell users in a clear direct way which relationships and references to use to link CSDM tables. Share the data model across products : The CSDM identifies a data model that is shared across products to simplify concepts and collaboration. Collaborating with other product teams achieves the best shared design. Use clear definitions : Use agreed-on CSDM definitions wherever a table, reference, or attribute is used. Share base-system tables : zBoot must provide shared base-system CSDM tables by default. Consistent data integrations : To improve data integrity, use prescribed technologies when integrating external data sources Speed adoption : For each new release, provide automation and guidance for CSDM that accelerates upgrading and minimizes issues. Enable data governance and process : The presence of data within the model provides little value without governance and effective process to manage the truth and validity of the data. Provide practical user documentation : (The content that you're viewing now) Each product team that references CSDM objects should provide documented guidance on use and value of the objects. Links to product guidance appear in [Applying CSDM guidelines to your product --- product views](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2DTqnPsq~73041Ro2nbflQ "ServiceNow products expect that CMDB data is organized according to CSDM guidelines and they benefit from that organization."). ## Helpful resources {#csdm-landing-page__cf-app-landing-get-help} Some ServiceNow resources that can provide you with helpful information are: Other CSDM resources : See [What is a CSDM?](https://www.servicenow.com/products/it-operations-management/what-is-csdm.html) and [CSDM in a nutshell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnlhMhP2FsM&list=PLkGSnjw5y2U7QNr9jL6TAgwQvYBI_LEtK&index=34). Video : Watch [Playlist of all CSDM videos](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkGSnjw5y2U7QNr9jL6TAgwQvYBI_LEtK). * **[Exploring the CSDM model](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/DQt4iu9LbJxcZSHJKv80VA)** The CSDM is the data model that admins should follow when they set up ServiceNow products and applications. The standards for defining configuration items (CIs) and relationships between CIs in the CMDB help to promote that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The result is maximum value from ServiceNow AI Platform applications. * **[Configuring CSDM](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/AjtQ5hctGkF4AdHNY1KMgw)** Activate and configure CSDM capabilities. * **[Implementing the CSDM framework in stages](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/QR282u8GgCSkjmcM~Y2o6A)** Following the CSDM framework ensures that you meet your primary goal of consistent accuracy in reporting and analytics so you can effectively manage your digital environment. * **[Access CSDM features](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dZ~bKswe0nEGpKRLoRqCMA)** The CSDM is the data model that admins should follow when they set up ServiceNow products and applications. The standards for defining configuration items (CIs) and relationships between CIs in the CMDB help to promote that your data resides in the appropriate CMDB tables. The result is maximum value from ServiceNow AI Platform applications. * **[Applying CSDM guidelines to your product --- product views](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2DTqnPsq~73041Ro2nbflQ)** ServiceNow products expect that CMDB data is organized according to CSDM guidelines and they benefit from that organization. * **[CSDM reference](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/7BHSQ62LV3S5PfgW7xXQuw)** Reference topics provide detailed descriptions of tables, properties, forms, and roles that are used in the CSDM framework.