Exploring decision tables

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Exploring Decision Tables

    Decision tables in Workflow Studio allow ServiceNow developers to separate decision logic from application code by creating and managing sets of if-then decision rules. These tables evaluate input data against specified conditions at runtime, enabling dynamic decision-making within processes, flows, subflows, playbooks, and other components on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

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    Since the Washington DC release, Decision Builder is integrated within Workflow Studio, offering a unified environment to author and monitor decision tables alongside other workflow elements. Note that after installing Workflow Studio decision tables, creation and modification of decision tables must be done exclusively through Workflow Studio, as the classic environment no longer supports these actions.

    Key Features

    • Input Configuration: Create inputs that read data in real-time from ServiceNow records, external sources, or hard-coded values.
    • Decision Rule Management: Build and modify decision rules, including reordering evaluation criteria to optimize outcomes.
    • Delegated Development: Assign delegated development roles to developers or non-admin users to efficiently manage workload by allowing them to create and manage decision tables at the application level with controlled permissions.
    • Integration with ServiceNow AI Platform: Decision tables can be used seamlessly in various components and extended through integration with applications like App Engine Studio (AES), enabling app developers to create and access decision tables without leaving AES.

    Benefits

    • Easily build and maintain complex decision logic without modifying underlying application code.
    • Adapt quickly to changing business requirements by updating decision tables directly.
    • Increase efficiency by reusing decision logic across multiple applications.
    • Evaluate data dynamically at runtime from multiple sources, enhancing flexibility and accuracy.

    Getting Started and Support

    ServiceNow customers can begin by exploring decision table concepts, configuring environments and user access in Workflow Studio, and building decision tables to embed into their AI Platform workflows. For help, customers should contact their Customer Admin for user access or technical assistance, consult the ServiceNow Community, Known Error Portal, or Customer Service and Support.

    Decision tables in Workflow Studio enable developers to decouple decision logic from their code by creating and maintaining decision rules.

    Demo Tour

    For an in-depth review and demo of decision table features and benefits, see Decision Builder Testing and Publishing | Creator Toolbox-ServiceNow.

    Announcements

    • As of the Washington DC release, Decision Builder is now part of Workflow Studio. Workflow Studio gives you a streamlined way to author, configure, and monitor processes, flows, subflows, playbooks, actions, and decision tables in one place.
    • The core Decision Builder feature is still available with the ServiceNow AI Platform® by default, but the latest updates are available for download through the Workflow Studio application in the ServiceNow® Store.
    • For more information about this update, see the Washington DC Decision Builder release notes.

    Get started

    Features

    Note:
    After you install Workflow Studio decision tables, you can only access decision tables previously created in the classic environment through Workflow Studio. You can no longer create or modify decision tables in the classic environment.

    Workflow Studio provides an intuitive interface to create and manage decision tables, which store sets of decision rules.

    Decision tables embed business logic into a series of if-then decision rules. Decision tables read data from inputs and evaluate the data according to specified conditions. When all the conditions for a decision rule are met, the decision table returns one or more results.

    Administrators can use the delegated development capability to manage workload efficiently by assigning the delegated development role to developers or non-admin users. A delegated developer has more permissions than a user, but less than an admin. Non-admin designated users can create and manage decision tables at the application level. For more information, see Delegated development.

    Decision tables in Workflow Studio enable you to do the following:

    • Create inputs that read data at runtime from existing records, external data sources, or hard-coded values.
    • Create and modify decision rules.
    • Change the order of evaluation criteria to optimize results.

    Benefits

    Decision tables in Workflow Studio provide the following benefits:

    • Build complex decisions easily with decision tables.
    • Meet changing business requirements and quickly update decisions by modifying only the decision logic and not the application code.
    • Increase efficiency by reusing decision logic across multiple applications.
    • Evaluate data at runtime from multiple sources, including existing ServiceNow records and data from external sources.

    Workflow Studio integration with other applications

    Extend the capabilities of decision tables in Workflow Studio by integrating with applications in the ServiceNow AI Platform® suite.
    Table 1. Application integration
    Application Description Reference
    App Engine Studio
    • App Engine Studio (AES) provides an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) application-like interface for app developers to build custom applications in one centralized location while maintaining your organization's brand and application development standards.
    • AES users can create decision tables using an AES wizard and access existing decision tables for their applications without leaving AES.
    		 See Add a decision in App Engine Studio.

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