--- schema_version: "1" id: 3bb96daf67ca87e426998e3541618bfed95d71fb7019e5e1c84dff028af5651c title: Key Steps to Implement CMDB collection: admin version: current locale: en-us portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/service/264-0-0/it_srvcs_cmdb_setup_checklist.md canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_setup_checklist.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 source_site: help.salesforce.com content_type: documentation content_hash: 487548b7cc400ce8ed00a3914be0396a5b6d3325d2509ab6bee1a20ae036065b description: Understand the key steps to implement Salesforce CMDB & Service Graph from start to finish. Learn how to define configuration item (CI) types, manage CIs, organize CI attributes, and build reliable relationships between components. Set up your CMDB with clarity and avoid common setup issues. Using this structured approach to maintain consistent records, improve visibility, and ensure accurate asset data across your IT environment. products: - Service Cloud - Agentforce IT Service release: "264" --- # Key Steps to Implement CMDB Understand the key steps to implement Salesforce CMDB & Service Graph from start to finish. Learn how to define configuration item (CI) types, manage CIs, organize CI attributes, and build reliable relationships between components. Set up your CMDB with clarity and avoid common setup issues. Using this structured approach to maintain consistent records, improve visibility, and ensure accurate asset data across your IT environment. ### Required Editions
Available in: Lightning Experience
Available in: Enterprise, Performance, and Unlimited Editions with Agentforce IT Service that have CMDB and Service Graph enabled.
| Step | Description | Result | | --- | --- | --- | | Create CI types | Define a structure for each CI category, such as servers, applications, or workstations. Use CMDB to set attributes, visibility, and relationships. For more information, see [Configuration Item Types in CMDB](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_citype.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "A configuration item (CI) type specifies which attributes, relationships, and rules apply to the CIs that belong to it. Defining CI types helps your team maintain consistency and simplify data management across different asset categories."). | CI records inherit a consistent structure and data model | | Add or import CIs | Add CIs manually in CMDB or import them using a bulk template. Use discovery to bring in scanned assets. For more information, see [Configuration Items in CMDB](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_ci_overview.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Configuration items (CIs) represent the individual assets in your IT environment. Each CI stores key details about a specific hardware or software component, helping your teams track, manage, and understand the infrastructure that supports your business. CIs provide the foundation for service management, impact analysis, and discovery."). | CMDB is populated with trackable, real-world assets | | Define CI attributes | Add contextual fields, such as hostname, operating system, location, and owner. Set visibility and data types for each attribute at the CI type level. For more information, see [Configuration Item Attributes and Attribute Sets in CMDB](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_ci_attribute.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Configuration item (CI) attributes define which details are tracked for each asset in your CMDB, such as the technical properties, ownership, and location. You can group related attributes into attribute sets to maintain consistency across similar CI types and streamline data entry."). | CI records include detailed metadata for context and reporting | | Apply attribute sets (optional) | Create reusable sets of attributes, and assign them to multiple CI types for consistency. For more information, see [Configuration Item Attributes and Attribute Sets in CMDB](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_ci_attribute.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Configuration item (CI) attributes define which details are tracked for each asset in your CMDB, such as the technical properties, ownership, and location. You can group related attributes into attribute sets to maintain consistency across similar CI types and streamline data entry."). | Related CI types use a consistent attribute structure | | Define CI relationships | Create relationships between CIs using terms like runs on, depends on, or connected to. Use relationship types to control allowed connections. For more information, see [Define Configuration Item Dependencies with Relationships](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_define_reltshp.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Configuration Item (CI) relationships connect configuration items to show how they interact or depend on each other. CI relationships help define real-world dependencies between hardware, software, cloud resources, and services."). | Relationships reflect system and service dependencies | | Visualize with service graph | Use service graph to see how CIs interact. Select a CI to view its related items. For more information, see [Visualize Configuration Item Relationships with Service Graph](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_service_map.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Use Service graph to view how a Configuration Item (CI) connects to other assets across your IT landscape. The visual map helps teams assess impact, identify dependencies, and troubleshoot issues faster. You can also use predefined or custom service graph layouts to focus on specific perspectives of a service."). | Teams gain visibility into system dependencies and impact areas | | Set identification rules | Create rules to check for required fields and prevent duplicates. For more information, see [Identification Rules in CMDB](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_iden_rules.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Maintain clean and reliable asset records in Configuration Management Database (CMDB) by using identification rules. Determine how the system identifies configuration items (CIs) when new data is added, either manually or through discovery. By matching key attributes like serial number or MAC address, identification rules prevent duplicates, reduce confusion, and ensure the right CI record gets updated."). | CMDB highlights missing or invalid data for correction | | Gain CI visibility in IT service records | Show configuration items in IT service records. Agentic IT service users can select affected and impacted CIs from CMDB. For more information, see [Get Insights into Your Configuration Data with CMDB Dashboard](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_dashboard.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Use the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) dashboard to monitor configuration trends and asset health across your organization. Gain visibility into configuration accuracy, recent activity, and data quality to make informed decisions and reduce operational risks."). | Agentic IT service users can track issue scope and asset impact directly from ITSM records | | View CMDB Dashboard | Use the CMDB dashboard to monitor item counts, sources, statuses, and trends. Spot anomalies and top incident-generating CIs. For more information, see [Get Insights into Your Configuration Data with CMDB Dashboard](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=service.it_srvcs_cmdb_dashboard.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Use the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) dashboard to monitor configuration trends and asset health across your organization. Gain visibility into configuration accuracy, recent activity, and data quality to make informed decisions and reduce operational risks."). | Admins gain insights into CMDB completeness, source quality, and CI impact patterns |