---
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


---

# Create taxonomy layer definitions

# Create taxonomy layer definitions {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read  
Create an unlimited number of taxonomy layers to organize, label, and manage your
service portfolio. Taxonomy layers represent the highest containment levels of your service
portfolio. Each level supports branches, or nodes, that contain child nodes or services in a
hierarchical top-to-bottom structure.

## Before you begin

Important:  
This task applies if you are using the legacy portfolio structure. For information on the legacy and standard portfolio structures, see [Service Portfolio Management taxonomy](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/d~BcmPRbdWS~5pXk5m3adQ "Service Portfolio Management uses a taxonomy framework to organize and manage services in a portfolio.").

Role required: portfolio_admin

## About this task

Opening the Taxonomy Layer Definitions module displays a list of all existing layers defined for all service portfolios.

By default, the service portfolio name associated with the
taxonomy layer is listed in the first Service portfolio
column of the list. The service portfolio is the parent element to the taxonomy
layer. Existing taxonomy layers appear in the Name column,
and are chronologically sorted in the Order column. Your
layer with order number 100 is always at the top, followed by order number 200, and
so on.  
Always associated taxonomy layers with a parent service portfolio. Example layers for an IT services portfolio might include the following taxonomy layers:

* Service Class
* Service Group
{#create-or-mod-SPM2-taxonomy-layers__ul_s24_shh_ygb}

If the Service Portfolio Management Taxonomy Content Pack
\[com.snc.spm.content\] plugin sample data is activated on your instance, review the
provided taxonomy data to gain an understanding of how to best define your taxonomy
layers. Refer to [Activate Service Portfolio
Management Sample Content Pack](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/1jHHqOYXOdEXB9uXCtiXcw "Install the Service Portfolio Management Taxonomy Content Pack plugin (com.snc.spm.content) to access a sample portfolio structure and service taxonomy. This sample data accelerates your ability to create and manage a service portfolio.") for more details.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to Service Portfolio ManagementTaxonomy Layer Definitions.
2. Select New.  
   Alternatively, to edit an existing taxonomy layer definition, select the name of the taxonomy layer definition to open the form. Change any of the form field data as needed.
3. Fill in or edit the form fields.  
   {#create-or-mod-SPM2-taxonomy-layers__table_z5x_3lf_ygb__entry__2}

   | Field | Description |
   |-|-|
   | Name | Unique name that defines the purpose of the taxonomy layer, for example, Tier, as in software support tier or network support tier. |
   | Order | Value that represents the hierarchical level where the taxonomy layer will exist. 1 is the highest level, with each chronological number following at a lower level. Note: Layer ordering is locked and cannot be changed when a node is created for any layer in a service portfolio. Nodes cannot be added to layers if there is a gap in the layer order. |
   | Service Portfolio | Service portfolio for which the taxonomy layer is associated. |
   | Short description | Brief detail about the taxonomy layer purpose. |
   [Table 1. Taxonomy Layer Definitions]

   {#create-or-mod-SPM2-taxonomy-layers__table_z5x_3lf_ygb}
4. Click Submit to save your service portfolio or click Update after editing a taxonomy layer.
5. Click the newly created taxonomy layer definition in the list.  
   The Taxonomy Nodes and Portfolio Metrics Related Lists appear on the Service Portfolio form. Refer to [Service Portfolio
   Management taxonomy](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/d~BcmPRbdWS~5pXk5m3adQ "Service Portfolio Management uses a taxonomy framework to organize and manage services in a portfolio.") for detailed information regarding creating and adding taxonomy nodes within your service portfolio structure.
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