It is a well known fact that implementing a configuration management database (CMDB), along with a configuration management plan will add value to your IT organization. The following are three tips and tidbits that I have been fortunate enough to come across which have had significant impact.
1. Strength and stability for the future.
In my early years, (while still living at home) I was taught, as many of us were, to carve out a small portion of our pay cheques and put it into a savings account for a ‘rainy day’. These small savings would slowly accumulate over time, compound and grow and eventually provide you with financial strength and security. The days of the savings accounts have certainly gone, however the principal of saving a little each day still applies, and applies well to seeing the value of the CMDB. The little bits that are saved each day adds up by having the right information at our fingertips. It compounds and grows and eventually it changes the IT organization’s operating culture, providing strength and security for it’s decisions, actions and credibility. The CMDB is like that savings account, a little bit over time adds up.
2. Your focus needs more focus.
Many projects have split personalities, trying to be multiple things to different stakeholders. Like a many headed hydra, it’s very difficult to keep your project driving in a straight line and consequently very difficult to demonstrate progress. Not to mention when focusing on one head, you don’t know if another is about to wrap around and bite your behind. Keep the CMDB project focused on the goals and objectives by continually relating the daily tasks and activities to those goals. If you cannot directly relate an activity on the project to a goal or objective- it should be questioned, and likely removed. The most successful projects have had laser sharp focus and direction.
3. Simple steps can sound the loudest.
I clearly recall my first visit to the urban-musical STOMP. I was memorized with the raw power of the production of sound from so many ‘regular’ items. The show starts with a single simple rhythm, brump, brump, brump, brump… and builds adding more simple sounds until you can hardly sit still in your seat. Starting simple with clear sound an entire symphony is built and created. It is this concept that has significant impact on projects that are hard-starts such as the CMDB. By taking small steps that demonstrate the potential success of the CMDB and slowly adding and building on those steps, an entire orchestrated movement can be created that launches the project. Small steps can be very loud so don’t be afraid to take small ones. They form the rhythm of the project and success is built on those never ending small steps.
Final thoughts
Thomas Wolfe said, you can’t go home again, and I think he might have said the same thing about creating a CMDB. Once you’ve started on your way to a CMDB, the world that you knew before changes and there is no looking back. By making simple steps with clear focused direction you’ll create small savings that demonstrate progress and create a successful CMDB. Thought it might have been better said, you’ll never want to go home.
