Dashboards and Widgets are essential collaboration tools in ServiceNow that enable users to visualize data and monitor key metrics in a centralized, customizable interface.
A Dashboard is a personalized landing page that displays multiple visual components called widgets. Dashboards allow users to…Dashboards and Widgets are essential collaboration tools in ServiceNow that enable users to visualize data and monitor key metrics in a centralized, customizable interface.
A Dashboard is a personalized landing page that displays multiple visual components called widgets. Dashboards allow users to consolidate important information from various sources into a single view, making it easier to track performance, analyze trends, and make informed decisions. Users can create their own dashboards or use pre-built ones provided by ServiceNow.
Widgets are the individual components that populate dashboards. They present data in various formats such as charts, graphs, lists, gauges, and reports. Each widget pulls data from ServiceNow tables and displays it according to configured parameters. Common widget types include:
- Performance Analytics widgets showing KPIs and scorecards
- Report widgets displaying charts and tables
- List widgets showing filtered records
- Single Score widgets highlighting specific metrics
- Approval widgets for pending approvals
Key features of Dashboards include the ability to drag and drop widgets, resize them, and arrange layouts according to user preferences. Administrators can create shared dashboards for teams or departments, while individual users can build personal dashboards tailored to their roles.
Dashboards support responsive design, adjusting their layout based on screen size. They can be set as homepage for users or groups, ensuring relevant information is visible upon login.
Permissions control who can view, edit, or share dashboards. Administrators can publish dashboards to specific groups or make them available to all users.
The Dashboard Canvas provides a workspace where users add, configure, and organize widgets. Real-time data refresh ensures information stays current. Users can also filter dashboard content using interactive elements.
Effective use of Dashboards and Widgets enhances productivity by providing at-a-glance visibility into critical business processes, incident volumes, service levels, and other operational metrics important to IT service management.
Dashboards and Widgets in ServiceNow - Complete Exam Guide
Why Dashboards and Widgets Are Important
Dashboards and widgets are essential collaboration tools in ServiceNow that provide users with real-time visibility into data, metrics, and performance indicators. They enable teams to make informed decisions quickly, monitor service levels, track incidents, and identify trends. For a Certified System Administrator (CSA), understanding dashboards and widgets is crucial because they are fundamental to user productivity and organizational reporting.
What Are Dashboards?
A dashboard is a visual collection of widgets displayed on a single page that provides users with a consolidated view of information relevant to their role or responsibilities. Dashboards can be:
• Personal: Created by individual users for their own use • Shared: Made available to other users or groups • Global: Available to all users in the instance
Dashboards are found in the Self-Service application and can be accessed through the homepage or the application navigator.
What Are Widgets?
Widgets are the individual components that make up a dashboard. Each widget displays specific information such as reports, performance analytics, or external content. Common widget types include:
• Reports: Display data from saved reports • Performance Analytics: Show PA indicators and breakdowns • Clock: Display time in various time zones • Approvals: Show pending approvals for the user • My Work: Display assigned tasks and records
How Dashboards and Widgets Work
1. Creating a Dashboard: Navigate to Self-Service > Dashboards, click the plus icon to create a new dashboard, provide a name, and save it.
2. Adding Widgets: Use the widget picker to drag and drop widgets onto your dashboard. Configure each widget by specifying the data source, such as a report or indicator.
3. Configuring Layout: Dashboards support multiple layout options with varying column configurations. Widgets can be resized and repositioned within the layout.
4. Sharing Dashboards: Dashboard owners can share their dashboards with specific users, groups, or roles by adjusting the sharing settings.
5. Setting a Homepage: Users can set a dashboard as their homepage for quick access upon logging in.
Key Features to Remember
• Dashboards support drag-and-drop functionality for easy customization • Users can have multiple dashboards and switch between them • The dashboard owner controls sharing permissions • Widgets refresh based on configured intervals or manual refresh • Report widgets require an existing saved report to function
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Dashboards and Widgets
Tip 1: Remember that dashboards are containers while widgets are the content within them. Questions often test this distinction.
Tip 2: Know the difference between personal and shared dashboards. Personal dashboards are only visible to the creator unless explicitly shared.
Tip 3: Understand that report widgets require a pre-existing report - you cannot create ad-hoc reports within the widget itself.
Tip 4: Pay attention to questions about permissions. Dashboard sharing is controlled by the owner, and users need appropriate roles to view shared content.
Tip 5: When questions mention Performance Analytics widgets, remember these require the Performance Analytics plugin and appropriate PA roles.
Tip 6: The navigation path Self-Service > Dashboards is frequently referenced in exam questions.
Tip 7: If a question asks about making data available to all users, consider whether a global dashboard or shared dashboard with appropriate groups would be the correct answer.
Tip 8: Remember that widgets can display content from various sources including reports, external URLs, and Performance Analytics - know which widget type corresponds to each use case.