The **Foundation domain** is one of seven domains in 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. Unlike the other CSDM domains, which represent stages in the service life cycle, the Foundation domain serves as a supporting layer that contains base data referenced by objects across all other domains. The tables within this domain are not used in [[Configuration management database|CMDB]] relationships but instead provide critical referential data required prior to implementing ServiceNow products or building out the CMDB. The Foundation domain encompasses organizational structure tables ([[Company (CSDM)|Company]], [[Business Unit (CSDM)|Business Unit]], [[Department (CSDM)|Department]]), [[Location (CSDM)|location management]], [[User (CSDM)|user]] and [[Group (CSDM)|group]] data, [[CMDB Group (CSDM)|CMDB Group]], [[Product Model (CSDM)|Product Model]], [[Contract (CSDM)|Contracts]], [[Value Stream (CSDM)|Value Stream]], [[Business Process (CSDM)|Business Process]], [[Life Cycle Stage (CSDM)|Life Cycle Stage]] definitions, [[Knowledge Management (ServiceNow)|Knowledge Management]], and the [[Teams (CSDM)|Teams]] capability. CSDM 5 introduces new capabilities to this domain including the [[Software Bill of Materials (CSDM)|Software Bill of Materials]] (SBOM) for tracking software component inventories and [[Value Stream (CSDM)|Value Stream]] modeling for mapping how work delivers value across the organization. ServiceNow recommends establishing Foundation data early in any CSDM adoption effort, as many reporting requirements, workflows, and [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] agents depend on this referential data rather than [[Configuration item|configuration items]] themselves.