Automating the ServiceNow SDLC for Better Governance

The efficiency and security of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) are paramount to any organization's success. Managing the release portion of the SDLC with spreadsheets and documents is becoming increasingly untenable for companies seeking to scale their ServiceNow investment to take advantage of GenAI. This approach is error-prone and labor-intensive, leading to various challenges, including inconsistencies, security vulnerabilities, and non-compliance with regulatory standards. The need for a more robust, automated, and governed approach to delivering on ServiceNow within your SDLC processes has never been more critical.

The Challenges of Managing Releases Through Documents

Managing releases and deployments through documents such as spreadsheets may seem straightforward, but it carries significant risks. These documents are often subject to human error, as manual data entry and updates can easily lead to mistakes. Additionally, the decentralized nature of document management means that these critical records can be altered, misplaced, or even lost entirely, compromising the integrity of the development process.

One of the most pressing issues with using documents is the need for more security and immutability. Spreadsheets and similar documents are not designed to meet the stringent security requirements to protect sensitive information. They also fail to provide the level of control and auditability required to ensure compliance with industry regulations. In an environment where regulatory compliance is non-negotiable, relying on standard documents is a risk organizations can no longer afford to take.

The Solution: Governing ServiceNow Releases with xtype

Recognizing these challenges, many organizations are turning to automation as the solution. xtype's Instance Management Platform offers real-time multi-environment visibility, governance, and automation that transforms how organizations manage their ServiceNow instances, ensuring they are both secure and compliant. xtype empowers delivery on the ServiceNow platform at speed and scale with safety.

Embedding Governance into Deployments & Releases

One of the most significant benefits of xtype is the ability to embed governance directly into the deployment and release processes. Changes made within the ServiceNow environment are automatically tracked and recorded, creating an immutable audit trail. This level of transparency and accountability is crucial for organizations that need to demonstrate compliance with industry regulations or internal policies.

With xtype products, organizations can enforce standardized processes across all development teams, ensuring that every update, feature, or application follows the same rigorous deployment standards. This consistency reduces the likelihood of errors and increases the reliability of deployments, allowing organizations to maintain a high level of quality across their ServiceNow environment.

Enhancing Security and Compliance

xtype's automation capabilities extend beyond governance to ensure all instances are production-like, enhancing the overall quality of  ServiceNow deployments and releases. xtype ensures that only authorized personnel and prescribed policies can change the system. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access, skipped procedures, or malicious activity, protecting the integrity of your ServiceNow landscape.

Moreover, Deployment Policy Flows offered by xtype ensure that every change made within the ServiceNow environment meets the necessary checks and approvals requirements. This is particularly important for organizations operating in highly regulated industries, where failing to comply with change policies or procedures can result in unaccounted-for cowboy deployments, exposing organizations to compliance and security risks.

Reducing the Risk of Errors and Enhancing Efficiency

One of the most significant advantages of xtype is the reduction in the manual effort required to manage multiple ServiceNow instances. By orchestrating tasks such as code review, test automation, and approvals as part of defined deployment policies, developers can focus on more value-added work, ultimately increasing the development team's efficiency.

With xtype, organizations can ensure that every update is thoroughly vetted before deployment, minimizing the likelihood of issues arising in production. This improves the reliability of deployments and reduces the time and resources required to troubleshoot and resolve problems.

Conclusion

As every ServiceNow customer begins to scale operations to take advantage of AI more quickly, manually managing and governing multiple ServiceNow instances is no longer sufficient. The risks and delays associated with this approach, including human error, security vulnerabilities, and non-compliance, are too significant. By embedding governance for deployments and releases, xtype enables organizations to manage their ServiceNow environment more efficiently and effectively.