---
sourceDocument: Australia IT Service Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/it-service-management

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia IT Service Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itsm

bundleId :

    - itsm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Define policies in Digital Product Release

# Define policies in Digital Product Release {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Define policies to automate the release workflow based on the different states of the release.

## Before you begin

Role required: sn_dpr_model.release_admin

## About this task

The policies are defined using ServiceNow®
Policy as Code Engine (PaCE), so make sure you're familiar with the basics. For more information, see [Understanding PaCE](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=pace-understanding&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US).

## Procedure

1. Navigate to WorkspacesDigital Product Release Workspace.
2. Select the policy administration icon (![Policy administration icon.]()).
3. Create a policy or update an existing one.
   * To create a policy, select New.

     For more information on creating a policy, see [Create a PaCE policy](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=pace-create-policy&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US).
   * To modify an existing policy, open the policy from the list.

   {#dpr-create-policy-admin__choices_dv2_rcr_4nb}  
   A policy is created in the inactive state and a draft version of the policy is added.
4. Select the Version tab and open the draft version.
5. On the Version record form, select the Policy Builder tab to [write the policy](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=pace-write-test-policies&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US).
   1. On the Define Variables pane, use API variables, config parameters, record references, and data collectors to write your policy.
   2. Process data from the DevOps application data model related to the product using the base system data collectors.  
      The data collectors collect inputs by processing data from ServiceNow or an external data source to provide an output. The output can be used in the policy logic to take a decision. For more information, see [Digital Product Release data collectors](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/hf8tGWdIdzlhao8xEgG5mw "The Digital Product Release Policy Content Pack contains a set of data collectors to collect DevOps data to be validated against policies.").
   {#dpr-create-policy-admin__substeps_s5j_zcs_21c}
6. Test your policy in the Test Playground tab.  
   For more information, see [Use the Test Playground for PaCE policies](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=pace-use-test-playground&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US).
7. Select Save to save the policy version.  
   You can also save the version as a template by selecting the Save as template.
8. **Optional:** To enable exceptions for the policy for temporarily overriding the policy failure status for specific use cases, select more actions icon (![More actions icon.]()) and then select Enable exceptions.  
   Note:  
   This option is only available when GRC: Policy and Compliance Management is installed.  
   The Exceptions tab displays. You can view a list of exceptions requested for this policy, including their active status and expiry. You can withdraw or extend any existing exceptions for the policy.
9. Select Publish to publish the policy version and make it available for use.
10. In the Publish draft dialog box, select Activate this policy to also activate the policy along with publishing the version.
{#dpr-create-policy-admin__steps_old_svy_wtb}

## Result

The policy version is updated as Current and is used the next time the policy is invoked.

For more information, see [Manage PaCE policy versions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=pace-policy-versions&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US).

*[\>]: and then