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Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-03-12 · Official documentation · View source

CSDM shapes support in the Enterprise Modeling and Visualization

ServiceNow CSDM data model defines standardized relationships between service-related objects in the CMDB. It ensures consistency across ITSM, ITOM, and EA practices. In Enterprise Architecture Workspace, CSDM shapes represent these objects visually in diagrams, enabling architects to model business capabilities, applications, services, and technical components in alignment with the Now Platform.

CSDM domains and shapes

CSDM 5 introduces seven domains, each grouping related entities. Shapes in Enterprise Architecture Workspace diagrams correspond to these domains:

  • Foundation- Shapes in this domain represent core referential data like Company, Location, Groups, Products, and Contracts.
  • Ideation & Strategy- Shapes in this domain capture early-stage planning and strategic objectives.
  • Design & Planning- Shapes in this domain define an architecture blueprint and logical application portfolio.
  • Build & Integration- Shapes in this domain represent development artifacts and integration points.
  • Service Delivery- Shapes in this domain represent an operational view of technology services and offerings.
  • Service Consumption- Shapes in this domain represent services consumed by end users.
ShapeDomainPurposeExample
Value StreamFoundationRepresents a sequence of activities delivering business valueCustomer Onboarding Value Stream
Value Stream StageFoundationDefines phases within a value stream for process improvementPayment Processing Stage
Business ProcessDesign & PlanningModels operational workflows supporting business capabilitiesOrder-to-Cash Process
Contract ModelFoundationStandardizes contractual agreements and compliance trackingSoftware Licensing Agreement Template
Application ModelFoundationCatalog entry for an application, including lifecycle and componentsSAP ERP Application Model
Business CapabilityDesign & PlanningHigh-level ability enabling business outcomesCustomer Relationship Management Capability
Business ApplicationDesign & PlanningLogical representation of an application supporting capabilitiesSalesforce CRM
Information ObjectDesign & PlanningConceptual representation of data artifactsCustomer Profile
PortfolioBuild & IntegrationGroups services or products for investment and lifecycle managementIT Service Portfolio
Service OfferingBuild & IntegrationDefines variations or tiers of a serviceGold Tier Support Offering
Service InstanceBuild & IntegrationRepresents deployed instance of a servicePayroll Application Service – Production
Technology Management ServiceBuild & IntegrationTechnical service provided by IT for managing technology componentsDatabase Management Service
Technology Management Service OfferingBuild & IntegrationSpecific variation of a technical service24x7 Network Monitoring Offering
Business ServiceService DeliveryCustomer-facing service delivering measurable business valueEmployee Onboarding Service
Customer-Facing ServiceService DeliveryService consumed directly by external customersOnline Banking Service
ShapeDomainPurposeExample
AI Dataset Digital AssetBuild & IntegrationRepresents datasets used for AI training and inferenceCustomer Interaction Dataset
AI Model Digital AssetBuild & IntegrationRepresents AI models with metadata and lifecycle detailsLarge Language Model for HR Chatbot
AI Prompt Digital AssetBuild & IntegrationRepresents reusable prompts for generative AIIncident Resolution Prompt
AI System Digital AssetBuild & IntegrationRepresents deployable AI systems integrating models and datasetsAI Recommendation Engine
ShapeDomainPurposeExample
AI System Product ModelFoundationCatalog entry for AI systems at product levelConversational AI Platform
AI Model Product ModelFoundationDefines AI model product specificationsImage Classification Model
AI Prompt Product ModelFoundationCaptures reusable prompt templates for governanceCustomer Query Summarization Prompt
AI Dataset Product ModelFoundationDefines dataset product specificationsProduct Image Dataset
Software Component ModelFoundationRepresents modular software componentsAuthentication Module
Software ModelFoundationRepresents software product models for licensing and complianceWindows 11 Enterprise Model
Software ProductFoundationRepresents actual software product offered or usedMicrosoft Office Suite
Product FeatureFoundationRepresents specific capability or function of a productMulti-factor Authentication feature

Parent Topic:Exploring Enterprise Modeling and Visualization in the EA Workspace

Related topics

Common Service Data Model (CSDM) shapes