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Configuration Item (CI)

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Definition of Configuration Item (CI)

Configuration Item (CI) A Configuration Item is an entity in a configuration management solution such as a CMDB. ITIL defines a CI as any component that needs to be managed in order to deliver an IT Service. Information about each CI is recorded in a Configuration Record within the Configuration Management System and is maintained throughout its Lifecycle by Configuration Management. CIs are under the control of Change Management. CIs typically include IT Services, hardware, software, buildings, people, and formal documentation such as Process documentation and SLAs.[1]


Types Of Configuration Items (CIs) in ITIL[2]

As shown in the below picture, ITIL defines six types of Configuration Items (CIs) under the ITIL Service Management or ITSM Framework.

Types Of Configuration Items (CIs) in ITIL

  • Service Lifecycle CI: This type of CIs includes the information about services and answers the questions on:
    • Services
    • How will the services be delivered?
    • When will the Service be realized?
    • Expected benefits?
    • Cost of Service.
  • Service CI: Service CIs includes,
    • Service model
    • Service package
    • Release package
    • Service resource assets (e.g.-Facilities, capital, devices, information)
    • Service capability assets (e.g.-Organization, processes, Knowledge etc)
  • Organization CI: Organization CIs are internal to an organization and mainly refers to the internal documents. For e.g.-Business strategy, policy etc.
  • Internal CI: Represents CIs which are delivered by individual projects, including tangible & intangible assets.
  • External CI: External CIs refer to external customer requirements and agreements, releases from supplier and external services.
  • Interface CI: Interface CIs are required to deliver end-to-end service across a Service Provider Interface (SPI). For example, escalation matrix and documented process of transferring incidents in-between them.


See Also

Configuration Management (CM)
Configuration Management Database (CMDB)
Configuration Lifecycle Management (CLM)
Product Lifecycle Management
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Software Configuration Management (SCM)
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Enterprise Life Cycle


References

  1. What is Configuration Item (CI)? CodeBeamer
  2. Types Of Configuration Items (CIs) in ITIL Cert Guidance


Further Reading