The **CSDM Key Principles** are guiding tenets established to inform decisions regarding the [[Common Service Data Model|Common Service Data Model]] (CSDM), a reference architecture developed by [[ServiceNow|ServiceNow]] that provides prescriptive guidance on service-related definitions and data modeling within the ServiceNow AI Platform. These principles guide what problems CSDM addresses, entity names and definitions, how the model is implemented, and how CSDM is managed for the benefit of products running on the ServiceNow AI Platform. The ten principles are: 1. **Simplified Concepts**, representing concepts in a simple, distinct manner to eliminate duplicates and confusion; 2. **Designed for Reporting & Analytics**, supporting consistent analysis as a prime objective; 3. **Prescriptive Relationships**, leveraging prescribed relationships and references as the main approach to link CSDM tables; 4. **Shared Data Model Collaboration**, identifying a data model shared across products with cross-team collaboration; 5. **Definitions**, using agreed-upon CSDM definitions wherever tables, references, or attributes are used; 6. **CSDM OOB Tables**, providing shared tables out of box on Z-boot or free app store plugins; 7. **Consistent Data Integrations**, leveraging prescribed technologies when integrating external data sources; 8. **CSDM Adoption**, limiting customer impacts per release by providing automation and guidance for transformations; 9. **Data Governance & Process**, recognizing that data provides little value without governance and effective processes; and 10. **Product Use Documentation**, providing documented guidance on use and value of CSDM by each product team referencing CSDM objects.