ITSM (IT Service Management) processes mapping documents and visualizes ITSM processes from initial request to delivery in an organization. It helps understand how IT services are delivered and how different processes interact in that organization.
Let’s say a large organization is experiencing high IT incidents and service requests and struggling to keep up with the workload. In this case, they’ll need a clear picture of how different processes are connected. The process map will help them identify the lagging, optimize the processes in the first place and improve service delivery as a result.
The ITSM process mapping involves creating a visual representation of ITSM processes, including the inputs, outputs, activities, and roles involved in each process.
Benefits of ITSM Process Mapping
ITSM process mapping provides a clear understanding of the end-to-end IT service delivery process, identifies potential areas of improvement, and optimizes IT service management processes.
And for several reasons, ITSM process mapping is an important practice to undertake in any organization:
Improving the Effectiveness of ITSM Processes
As said earlier, the visual representation of ITSM processes helps stakeholders better understand the delivery and dependency of various IT services.
For example, mapping out incident management processes will eliminate any process duplication. So the number of handoffs or steps involved can be reduced.
Once the necessary steps are identified, you can leverage the workflow generator of ITSM platforms to turn them into workflow templates. So development teams will be able to resolve incidents quickly using the templates. On top of this, mapped ITSM processes will help IT operations teams to collaborate more effectively. And when it comes to inculcating speed and accuracy in ITSM processes, the mapping identifies repetitive tasks or activities that can be automated using features such as Runbook—all this work towards improving the overall effectiveness of ITSM processes.
Compliance With Standards and Regulations
Process mapping creates clear and visual representations of IT service delivery processes. This makes it easier for auditors and regulators to understand and verify that the processes are followed correctly. Moreover, organizations can easily identify processes, controls, and procedures to remain compliant with regulations. For instance, process mapping can help organizations handle personal data in a compliant manner during incident management. So they’ll be able to demonstrate compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Overall, ITSM process mapping enables you to handle incidents in compliance with ITIL, ISO 20000, and COBIT as you deliver IT services.
Continuous Improvement of ITSM Processes
ITSM process mapping is continuous, meaning organizations can use the process map as a starting point for ongoing optimization. As maps depict the ITSM process and their interrelations, you can identify areas where performance may lag. This performance overview lets you define metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure weak areas and optimize. The result is that the IT services delivery remains aligned with business objectives and customer needs.’
ITSM Process Mapping: Steps
ITSM process mapping typically involves several steps, including
Identify the ITSM Processes That Need to Be Mapped
The first step involves determining which business units, service areas, or IT processes need to be included in the mapping exercise.
For that, you need to identify current processes in place by reviewing existing documentation such as service level agreements (SLAs), process flow diagrams, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Also, as a step further, you can interview stakeholders from IT, business units, and any external service providers to identify the ITSM processes critical to service delivery. Moreover, the service delivery data such as incident reports, service request data, and performance metrics can help you identify ITSM processes having the most impact on service delivery.
So you might prioritize incident management to start with and then later map change management and problem management processes.
Define the Scope and Objectives of the Process Mapping Exercise
Once the ITSM processes to map have been identified, you need to ensure that the process mapping exercise is focused and effective. And this demands you to
Identify the Business Goals: Whether the mapping is for reducing costs, improving service delivery, increasing efficiency, or complying with industry standards or regulations.
Define the Scope: Answer which specific processes and workflows will be mapped. For example, the mapping may span from the initial incident report to the resolution for incident management.
Apart from these, two more important things need to be determined.
Determining the Level of Detail: Whether to create high-level process flow diagrams or detailed process maps that include specific tasks and activities.
| Feature | High-Level Process Flow Diagram | Detailed Process Map |
| Level of detail | General overview | In-depth view |
| Purpose | To provide a high-level understanding of a process | To provide a detailed understanding of a process |
| Audience | Managers, executives, and other stakeholders who need a general understanding of a process | Employees who need to know the specific steps involved in a process |
Defining the Deliverables: This could include process flow diagrams, process maps, or other documentation that will be used to support process improvement initiatives later on.
Create a Visual Representation of the ITSM Processes, Such as a Flowchart or a Swimlane Diagram
This step begins with drawing the baseline process map. You create a process that shows the current process as it is. You can either use a flowchart or a swimlane diagram for that.
In the swimlane diagram, you can divide the process into lanes, with each lane representing a different department or team involved. The clear picture helps clarify the roles and responsibilities of each team and identify areas of overlap or potential bottlenecks.
Validate the Process Map With Stakeholders, Including ITSM Process Owners and Users
Just as various stakeholders were involved in identifying the ITSM process for mapping, they’re equally important for validating the maps you’ve created in the last step. This way, the process map accurately reflects how the processes are performed and that all relevant information is captured. It also ensures that any areas of concern or improvement are identified.
For example, stakeholders may review the incident management process map and cite the need for better communication channels, or responsibilities should be defined more clearly.
Also, this involvement increases buy-in and support for any changes that may be necessary to optimize the process.
Continuously Update and Refine the Process Map
These maps should be continuously updated and refined as ITSM processes evolve and change over time in line with technological innovation (say, Machine Learning). In this way, the maps will remain relevant and effective in meeting changing customer needs. For this, you need to
- Conduct regular reviews: quarterly or annual
- Solicit feedback: From end-users, and IT staff, through focus groups and surveys
- Benchmark against industry standards such as ITIL or COBIT
- Continuous training: IT staff must be trained on the latest ITSM processes.
Common Challenges in ITSM Process Mapping
Organizations face several challenges when creating process maps for IT Service Management (ITSM). These challenges include
A Lack of Holistic View
ITSM processes often involve multiple teams and functions, each with its perspective. However, cross-functional teams may not fully understand each other’s perspective, leading to a limited view of the entire process. Such a lack of coherent understanding can lead to missed opportunities for improvement.
Lack of Detail in Large Groups
Process mapping workshops can be intimidating for participants, especially if they are short and involve a large group of people. So it can impact the identification and validation of ITSM process mapping. This can lead to a lack of detail in the process maps and a failure to identify improvement opportunities.
Difficulty Depicting Cross-Party Responsibilities
ITSM processes often involve multiple teams and functions, each with its own responsibilities. It can be challenging to accurately depict these responsibilities on a process map, especially when one team plays a leadership role.
Sailing through these challenges: Use proper orientation for process mapping participants, follow-up dialogue in virtual collaboration rooms, and imply the benefits that process improvement can have on each team’s performance.
Using ITSM Process Maps for Continuous Improvement
Despite the challenges, ITSM process maps, when continuously updated and refined, lead the path of ongoing improvement in IT service delivery. Whether you’re using ServiceNow ITSM or any other provider, such as Ivanti or Cherwell, a visual representation of the ITSM process can help you identify areas for improvement and optimize your ITSM operation, especially when your IT processes are complex and involve many stakeholders.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your ITSM Processes with Seamless Integration of Virima’s Discovery and Service Mapping
Mapping ITSM processes improves the effectiveness of IT service delivery and makes compliance easier. But there’s a limit to how far you can enhance the IT service delivery effectiveness just by mapping the processes. You’ll need an in-depth view of how services depend on each other and what resources (cloud and on-premise) you have to improve processes on a micro level using the map.
In this regard, Configuration Management Databases (CMDB) act as a central repository of all this information. It helps to understand the dependency between services and assets for improving ITSM processes such as Incident Management, Problem Management, and Change Management.
But when the relationships in CMDB become complex, which is the case for large organizations, you’ll need dynamic visualization of application dependencies, IT infrastructure, and services to make smooth improvements in processes. You’ll also have to ensure that all CMDB’s physical and virtual asset data are up-to-date and accurate.
You can achieve dynamic visualization of relationships and maintain accurate data in your current CMDB, such as ServiceNow, by integrating Virima’s Discovery and Service Mapping features. So it’ll be easier to improve your ITSM process using the process maps.
Book a demo with Virima to learn how Virima Discovery and Service Mapping integration can help you improve ServiceNow ITSM processes in more detail!
