This blog is being posted today as part of a larger community effort to publish common topic blogs on the same day. I encourage you to review the other blogs on this subject by searching the hashtag #SMFlashbook. I was simultaneously confused and disappointed by the recent itSMF/Forrester survey results that indicated a large number of organizations had not built a Service Catalog due to lack of funding. I am also always confused when organizations move forward with their Service Management initiatives without first defining their services. So I challenge you with a question: How can you manage services if you do not have a clear understanding of the services that you provide? Here are some very simple and virtually free tips for creating an initial and meaningful Service Catalog: Step away from your tool. The first steps can be captured on paper, whiteboards or in documents. The tool part will come later. Gather stakeholders and collectively define an