How do you handle CMDB audit and reconciliation in a hybrid or multi-cloud environment?

2 Automate your discovery and synchronization

The next step is to automate your discovery and synchronization of CIs across your hybrid or multi-cloud environment. This means using tools and integrations that can scan, collect, and update the data from your various cloud platforms and services, and feed them into your CMDB. For example, you may use a discovery tool that can discover your AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud resources, and use an API or a connector to synchronize them with your CMDB. You may also use a configuration management tool, such as Ansible, Chef, or Puppet, to enforce the desired state of your CIs and report any deviations to your CMDB.

3 Perform your audit and reconciliation

The third step is to perform your audit and reconciliation of your CMDB data. This means using tools and reports that can compare the data in your CMDB with the data from your sources of truth, and identify any discrepancies or gaps. For example, you may use a reconciliation tool that can match, merge, and update the CIs based on predefined rules and criteria, and generate a reconciliation report that shows the results and statistics of the audit. You may also use a dashboard or a visualization tool that can display the health and quality of your CMDB data, and highlight any issues or anomalies.

4 Review and resolve the issues

The fourth step is to review and resolve the issues that arise from your audit and reconciliation. This means analyzing the root causes of the discrepancies or gaps, and taking the appropriate actions to correct them. For example, you may need to update the metadata, attributes, or relationships of your CIs, or delete or deactivate the obsolete or duplicate CIs. You may also need to adjust your discovery or synchronization settings, or modify your audit or reconciliation rules and criteria, to prevent or reduce the recurrence of the issues.

5 Document and communicate your findings

The fifth step is to document and communicate your findings from your audit and reconciliation. This means creating and maintaining a record of your audit and reconciliation activities, results, and actions, and sharing them with the relevant stakeholders and teams. For example, you may create and store a log or a history of your audit and reconciliation events, and generate and distribute a summary or a detailed report of your findings. You may also use a notification or a collaboration tool to alert or inform your IT staff, managers, or customers about the status and quality of your CMDB data.

6 Monitor and improve your process

The sixth and final step is to monitor and improve your process of CMDB audit and reconciliation. This means measuring and evaluating the performance and effectiveness of your process, and identifying and implementing any opportunities for improvement. For example, you may use metrics and indicators, such as the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness of your CMDB data, and the frequency, severity, and resolution of your audit and reconciliation issues, to assess your process. You may also use feedback and best practices to refine your scope, criteria, tools, and methods of CMDB audit and reconciliation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?