Create an automated indicator
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- UpdatedJan 30, 2025
- 14 minutes to read
- Yokohama
- Performance Analytics
To analyze the performance of a business process that is recorded in a ServiceNow table, use an automated indicator. If a suitable indicator is not provided in a Platform Analytics Solution, create a new one.
Before you begin
- You must have a subscription for Performance Analytics to create indicators.
- If you are using domain separation, the indicator is created in the domain that you are currently in.
Role required: pa_admin, pa_power_user, pa_data_collector, or admin
About this task
This form provides all the many options for creating an automated indicator. To create a simple automated indicator quickly, see Create an automated indicator with a wizard. However, for deeper information about indicator options and for tips, read this topic first.
Procedure
Advanced indicator settings
After you create an automated indicator with the required settings, you can configure optional, advanced settings.
Before you begin
Role required: pa_power_user
Procedure
Indicators with business calendars
Business and fiscal calendars do not have standard periods. Performance Analytics has introduced several innovations to accommodate these custom periods. Your workflow for creating indicators differs accordingly.
Differences in how periods are defined
- The indicator frequency is derived from the business calendar instead of from a static list of choices. The Frequency column of the indicator record is ignored. Instead, the Calendar frequency column is used.
- For forecasting, you have to specify the number of periods that are needed to find seasonal patterns. This value cannot be determined automatically from the calendar period, like for standard calendars. You set this value for each calendar frequency, in PA Business Calendar Retention Periods [pa_calendars_retention] records.
- You have to set the number of calendar periods to retain scores and snapshots. The system properties that set the default numbers of calendar periods for retaining data are ignored. Instead, set these numbers for each calendar frequency in PA Business Calendar Retention Periods records.
PA Business Calendar Retention Periods records and overriding them
When you first create an indicator that uses a particular calendar frequency, you are prompted to complete a PA Business Calendar Retention Periods record. Any indicators you make in the future with that calendar frequency use the same PA Business Calendar Retention Periods record.
You can override the settings in a PA Business Calendar Retention Periods record for a specific indicator. Override the defaults in the Collection periods tab of the indicator record, the same as for standard calendar indicators. However, when you first select Override retention periods, you see the default retention periods for a Daily indicator with a standard calendar. These values are display artifacts only and you can ignore them. Put in the values you want, and they will override the PA Business Calendar Retention Periods record values.
Business calendar groups
When you select an entry in the Calendar field other than the standard calendar, you actually select a business or fiscal calendar group. Both business and fiscal calendar groups are listed under . Each business or fiscal calendar group contains a set of business calendars, which you select under Calendar frequency. Each business calendar in turn contains a set of either business calendar or schedule entries, for business and fiscal calendars, respectively.
The process for generating a fiscal calendar automatically creates a fiscal calendar group. For business calendars, the creator of the business calendar must also create the business calendar group, manually. If you have any questions, contact the admin responsible for creating business calendars. For more information, see Create a Business Calendar Group.
Automated indicators in formulas
A formula indicator can include automated indicators that use business calendars. The formula indicator must use the same business calendar as at least one of the contributing automated indicators. For more information, see Create a formula indicator.
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Related Content
- Create an indicator group
For convenience, you can organize related indicators into an indicator group. When you configure some visualizations that show multiple indicators, you can specify an indicator group instead of individual indicators.
- Collect and manage a matrix of breakdowns
Collect a matrix of the two-breakdown combinations for an indicator. Exclude unnecessary or meaningless combinations of breakdowns from being collected.