Having a dynamically relevant CMDB or CMS can also be invaluable in helping to identify the problem in context with change, service impact, and SME ownership.

Configuration management database or configuration management system (CMDB or CMS): CMDBs and CMS used to provide a single source of truth. However, that was often a misnomer because data was rarely complete or current. Planning a CMDB should focus on relevance, not just data. And while CMDBs can be a valuable point of context, it’s important to seek out, and invest in, more dynamic versions of application/infrastructure interdependencies to keep your CMDB or CMS current — or in some cases to replace a traditional CMDB with a more dynamic modeling system. In all cases, however, the modeling can provide valuable contextual insights in terms of what services reside where and how they may have been impacted by change.

• Forrester identifies three use cases where a CMDB is vitally important today: Planning, Accounting, Operating
• The age of the customer demands operational excellence within the technology organization. A sound concept of configuration management is essential to ensure always-on, secure, high-quality services, yet configuration management has been troublesome and confusing. Ultimately, the term reflects the need for a coherent information architecture supporting IT and digital operations. Infrastructure and operations (I&O) pros need a comprehensive, unified approach and an up-to-date awareness of recent cloud-native, DevOps, and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) trends. The Forrester Guide To Configuration Management

CMDB investments can deliver substantial business benefits, yet many organizations repeatedly fail to achieve desired results. To succeed, I&O leaders must ensure they have a useful SACM program strategy and make incremental SACM improvements based on business needs and current capabilities.