**Impact analysis** is a capability within [[Information technology service management|ITSM]] processes that leverages [[Configuration management database|CMDB]] relationships defined 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. Impact analysis uses CMDB relationships to determine which services are affected by changes to or incidents involving [[Configuration item|configuration items]], following the reverse direction of relationships to identify impacted [[Business Service (CSDM)|Business Services]], [[Application Service (CSDM)|Application Services]], and [[Technology Management Service (CSDM)|Technology Management Services]]. Impact analysis processes in [[Change management (ITSM)|Change]] and [[Incident management (ITSM)|Incident]] management traverse the CSDM relationship hierarchy from infrastructure CIs upward through [[Application (CSDM)|Applications]], Application Services, and service offerings to Business Services. Operational CIs in the [[Service Delivery (CSDM domain)|Service Delivery domain]]—including Application Services, [[Data (AI) Service Instance (CSDM)|Data Service Instances]], and [[Technology Management Service Offering (CSDM)|Technology Management Service Offerings]]—and the [[Service Consumption (CSDM domain)|Service Consumption domain]]—including Business Services and [[Business Service Offering (CSDM)|Business Service Offerings]]—are selectable for ITSM processes. [[Event Management (ServiceNow)|Event Management]] extends impact analysis by monitoring [[Application Service (CSDM)|Application Service (CSDM)]] performance and identifying health issues for related infrastructure CIs. For accurate impact analysis, organizations must establish proper [[CMDB relationship|CMDB relationships]] between CIs as prescribed by CSDM, as the relationship type should be followed for determining any potential impact across the [[CSDM Service Life Cycle|CSDM Service Life Cycle]].