Discussion on:

ITIL and Configuration Management: Where to begin

SMBs in particular often don't have any coherent policy in regards to configuration management. And I find this is a major source of downtime. Our PC dept replaces a workstation and doesn't configure the needed programs. I have to go over what needs configuring with the PC guy, only after we find that it is not working or not installed.

And changes to configs in routers, etc can leave your system open to attack.

I've seen where these systems pay off in real life, and (admittedly biased) webinars for products such as Mercury's offerings and Skybox for network security configuration automatic monitoring.

While some downtime is caused by hardware failures or bugs, a large percent of it is caused by authorized or unauthorized changes. Which systems like these let you pinpoint. Including changes by third party providers such as data lines.

And this doubles as unified documentation source for a good chunk of your systems.

Great article by Hank - who always provides the insiders view of what the real issues and challenges are.

I just wanted to let you know that a brand new 2 track ITIL Podcast entitled, "How To Implement the CMDB" will be launched this coming Friday (27th April).

You can listen or subscribe to it for free.

What's different about this Podcast from the many others that are available right now?

Well, I've interviewed a CMDB expert (he hates me calling him that!) for a whole hour on the real world challenges involved in actually planning, designing, building, testing and running the CMDB.

He covers some brand new content and presents some fascinating insights into what's REALLY involved.

I also make sure we covered the 'human element' too which is generally forgotten.

To listen and learn simply visit: -

http://www.ITServicePodcasts.com

There are many other ITIL and ITSM Podcasts with other 'expert' interviews available for free too!

Best Regards,
Robin.

I've listened to Robin's podcasts and they are very real world and to the point. As in the above CMDB article, we need more 'hands on' articles that can show current and future ITIL implementation teams how to roll out this process to our corporate Business Units. Doing this and showing the benefits (financial, customer sat) will only solidify the relevance of ITIL.

You have hit the nail on the head with this article.

The information is always available if only we can find it. Too often all of our Department is involved in Firefighting, or at the management level, in Crisis Management. All IT Departments need to be proactive in configuration management.

The challange is to make the time available to start, and I agree that the only place to start is with a goal of what needs to be achieved.

Thanks for your insights.

One of the biggest problems our organisation has faced is where to start with Configuration Management, exactly what this article is all about.
Everybody is jumping up and down about the wonders of ITIL and it's components, but this is the first article that gives practical advice aboutwhere to start with CoM. I'll definitley waving this article under the noses of the powers that be.

I have seen people hit the CMDB wall as well. Since service
definition should be driven by SLM, some thought to
including SLM early in the journey is warranted.

In fact, SLM can and should take a leadership role in
stakeholder and services targeting which seems to be
what (eventually) took place here.

In a siloed environment, SLM is often missing or not
positioned where it should be. Front and center, leading
the CSIP.

A story easy to relate to because it gives a real life recognizable example.