Diagrams serve as important configuration:

Diagrams are valuable tools in cybersecurity and IT configurations as they provide a visual representation of systems, processes, and networks. Viewing diagrams as artifacts underscores their role as tangible, visual elements that document the architecture, flow, or relationships within a system. They often capture detailed configurations, illustrating how components interact and are organized, allowing personnel to better understand and analyze the infrastructure.

Diagrams help in maintaining clarity and facilitating communication among teams, while also serving as reference points for future configurations or adjustments. Their effectiveness in representing complex interrelations and aiding in troubleshooting or planning is a key aspect of their classification as artifacts rather than procedures, snapshots, or policies.

Procedures are usually written instructions or steps to follow, snapshots imply a one-time representation at a specific moment, while policies denote rules or guidelines governing behavior and actions—none of which capture the comprehensive and visual aspects that diagrams provide as artifacts.