Tracking deflections in ITSM Virtual Agent
Summarize
Summary of Tracking deflections in ITSM Virtual Agent
ITSM Virtual Agent includes pre-built deflection topics and topic blocks that enable you to track when Virtual Agent successfully resolves issues without needing live agent intervention. Deflections occur when Virtual Agent either completes a task, creates an incident in the correct assignment group, or helps users resolve their issues independently. This functionality is enabled by default and leverages configurations available out-of-the-box, which you can customize to meet your organization’s needs.
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Key Features
- Pre-built Deflection Patterns: A set of predefined deflection patterns monitor different interaction outcomes, such as self-resolving tasks, incident triaging, knowledge base usage, AI search assistance, and agent productivity.
- Deflection Pattern Outcomes: Patterns categorize interactions as confirmed deflections, potential deflections, or no deflection, helping you understand how Virtual Agent impacts resolution efficiency and productivity.
- Deflection Metrics Storage: Metrics are recorded in the Deflection Metric [ssadeflectionmetric] table, enabling detailed analysis of Virtual Agent performance.
- Analytics and Reporting: You can view deflection data through the Deflection Metrics module in the Self-Service Analytics framework or via the Conversational Analytics Dashboard, supporting informed decision-making about Virtual Agent effectiveness.
Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers
- Track and measure how often Virtual Agent resolves issues autonomously, reducing incident volume and live agent workload.
- Identify which types of interactions lead to confirmed or potential deflections, enabling targeted improvements to Virtual Agent topics and workflows.
- Leverage out-of-the-box configurations to quickly implement deflection tracking, with flexibility to customize based on your unique ITSM processes.
- Use analytics tools to gain insights into Virtual Agent performance and refine your digital support strategy for better end-user satisfaction and operational efficiency.
You can use the pre-built deflection topics and topic blocks in Virtual Agent conversations to track the incidents that ITSM Virtual Agent helped to resolve.
A deflection happens when ITSM Virtual Agent resolves an issue for you. By asking you relevant questions, ITSM Virtual Agent can create an incident in the correct assignment group. As a result, you might not need to create an incident, or need the assistance of a live agent.
Deflection tracking uses the topics and topic blocks created in Virtual Agent Designer and is enabled by default. For more information, see Tracking deflections using deflection topic blocks.
By default, ITSM Virtual Agent includes pre-built deflection configurations in the base system. You can use the deflection configurations in the base system or customize them, as needed. For more information, see Create deflection configurations and patterns.
The pre-built deflection patterns in the base system are described in the following table.
| Deflection pattern name | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| ITSM VA-Self-Resolving | Virtual Agent completes a task with or without filing a task record for ITSM. For example, Virtual Agent adds a user to a distribution list. | Confirmed deflection |
| ITSM VA-Triage & Created | Virtual Agent filed and created a task record based on end-user input. Creating this task record shortens the time to resolution. | Confirmed deflection |
| ITSM VA-KB-Resolve | User resolved the issue by using the Knowledge Base (KB) articles displayed. | Confirmed deflection |
| ITSM VA-Intercept & Resolved | Virtual Agent intercepted an end user-created incident, and helped to resolve and close it. For example, Virtual Agent resolves and closes the incident with Issue Auto-Resolution (IAR). | Confirmed deflection |
| ITSM VA-Search-served | Virtual Agent shows the search results based on the user's IT service needs. | Potential deflection |
| ITSM VA-AI-Search | Virtual Agent uses the AI Search results to provide support. | Confirmed deflection |
| ITSM VA-Query-response | Virtual Agent responds to a customer query. It's unclear whether the response was helpful. | Potential deflection |
| ITSM VA-No-deflection | Virtual Agent is unable to assist the user. | No deflection |
| ITSM VA-User Productivity-Complete | User completes a task using Virtual Agent. This pattern tracks those completed tasks that saved time and improved productivity. | No deflection |
| ITSM VA-User Productivity-Info Provided | User was provided information that might be helpful to them. | No deflection |
| ITSM VA-User Productivity-Incomplete | User wasn't able to complete a task using Virtual Agent. | No deflection |
| ITSM VA-Agent Productivity-Complete | Agent (fulfiller) was able to complete a task using Virtual Agent as a service channel. This pattern tracks those completed tasks that saved time and improved productivity. | No deflection |
| ITSM VA-Agent Productivity-Info Provided | Agent (fulfiller) was provided information that might be helpful to them. | No deflection |
| ITSM VA-Agent Productivity-Incomplete | Agent (fulfiller) wasn't able to complete a task using Virtual Agent as a service channel. | No deflection |
- Navigate to the Deflection Metrics module in the Self-Service Analytics framework.Note:The Self-Service Analytics framework requires the Self-Service Analytics Core plugin (com.snc.self_service_analytics_core).
For more information, see Activate Self-Service Analytics.
Use the Overview tab of the Conversational Analytics Dashboard.
For more information about this dashboard, see Conversational Analytics Dashboard.