ServiceNow Otto for Enterprise Architecture \(EA\) access roles

reference australia Updated Sep 10, 2026 12 min read sn-otto-access-roles.md
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The following roles help you to configure and use each ServiceNow Otto for Enterprise Architecture (EA) skill.

Access to ServiceNow Otto for Enterprise Architecture (EA) skills is controlled by a combination of the EA Workspace role assigned to the user and, in some cases, additional platform-level or feature-specific roles. The table summarizes each skill, the role required to use it, and whether additional roles are needed.

Skill Configure role Use role
Configure ServiceNow Otto® for EA (all skills) admin Not applicable
Configure AI Data Explorer and Query Generation skills now_assist_explorer_admin or higher (AI Data Explorer); admin (Query Generation) Not applicable
Generate a summary for ADRs (ADR doc summarization) admin sn_apm.apm_user
Elaborate or shorten content in ADRs admin sn_apm.apm_user
Generate insights into business applications admin sn_apm.apm_user
Compare Enterprise Modeling and Visualization diagrams admin sn_apm.apm_read and sn_apm.apm_user
Elaborate or shorten content in form fields (Refine text) admin sn_apm.apm_user
Generate insights for EA Workspace dashboard widgets (AI Data Explorer) now_assist_explorer_admin or higher sn_apm.apm_user or sn_apm.apm_read; now_assist_explorer_user
Register a business application using conversational experience admin None (any authenticated user)
Register a digital integration using conversational experience admin None (any authenticated user)
Generate an enterprise architecture diagram from an uploaded image; review AI-generated shapes in split-screen mode; accept or discard low-confidence shape replacements; accept all shapes and publish the diagram to draft admin sn_apm.apm_user
Ask natural language questions about the EA portfolio using the Enterprise Architecture Explorer Query Agent admin sn_apm.apm_user

Configuration

All ServiceNow Otto® for EA skills are configured from the ServiceNow Otto® Admin console. Configuration requires the admin role or, for AI Data Explorer skills, the now_assist_explorer_admin role.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Activate and configure all ServiceNow Otto® for EA skills from the ServiceNow Otto® Admin console (ADR summarization, business application insights, diagram change analysis, refine text, conversational experience)

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Configure skill availability conditions (always available or custom conditions)

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Configure role-based access to individual skills

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Define and configure custom parameters for the business application insights prompt; make a copy of the business application insights skill

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Set how the business application insights skill is triggered (Automatic or User trigger) and define optional conditions for the Automatic trigger on the Define trigger tab

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Activate and configure conversational experience skills for registering business applications and digital integrations through Virtual Agent

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Configure Query Generation skills (Analytics query generation and Analytics hidden insights generation)

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Activate and configure AI Data Explorer skills (Analytics exploration, Exploration summarization, Refine text in exploration, Data visualization generation)

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

Configure AI Search for dashboard insight generation

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

## ADR doc summarization and actions

ADR skills are powered by the ADR Doc Summarization and Actions skill. The skill must be activated by an admin before use.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Generate a ServiceNow Otto® summary of an ADR document from the Artifact content tab

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Elaborate selected text in an ADR document

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Shorten selected text in an ADR document

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Summarize selected text in an ADR document

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Use the Refine button to further elaborate or shorten generated content

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Insert generated content into the ADR record; copy generated summary text

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Use the ADR summarization skill

 

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

sn_apm.apm_read is in the default skill access list. Admins can modify role access from the ServiceNow Otto® Admin console.

## Business application insights

The business application insights skill generates context-aware summaries and actionable insights for business applications. Insights automatically include contextual data from the page where they are generated.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Generate insights from the business application details page

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

Available when the skill trigger is set to User trigger.

View insights that are generated automatically when you open a business application record page, when the skill trigger is set to Automatic

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Generate context-aware insights from the Business Portfolio page (capability context, cross-capability impact, indicator scores, fiscal period)

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Generate context-aware insights from the Application Rationalization bubble chart (axis metrics, quadrant position, bubble size metric, planned disposition, fiscal period)

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Generate context-aware insights from the Application Rationalization list view (indicator scores, actual scores, fiscal period, connected demands)

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

View insights in a side panel wherever business application details are shown

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Refresh generated insights after updating business application data

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Provide thumbs up or thumbs down feedback on generated insights

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

## Compare Enterprise Modeling and Visualization diagrams

The diagram change analysis skill generates an AI summary of changes between two diagram versions. The summary includes an executive overview and a breakdown of added, modified, and removed shapes and relationships.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Select two diagram versions to compare from the Compare versions pop-up window

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

Both sn_apm.apm_user and sn_apm.apm_read are required. Neither role alone is sufficient to use this skill.

View the AI-generated executive summary of changes between two diagram versions

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

Both sn_apm.apm_user and sn_apm.apm_read are required.

View a breakdown of shapes, entities, and relationships that have been added, modified, or deleted

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

Both sn_apm.apm_user and sn_apm.apm_read are required.

View visual canvas highlights (new shapes and lines in green, modified in yellow)

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

Both sn_apm.apm_user and sn_apm.apm_read are required.

Change the diagram versions and regenerate the comparison summary

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

Both sn_apm.apm_user and sn_apm.apm_read are required.

Refresh the summary after changing the primary diagram version

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

Both sn_apm.apm_user and sn_apm.apm_read are required.

Copy the generated change summary; provide helpful or not helpful feedback

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

Both sn_apm.apm_user and sn_apm.apm_read are required.

## Elaborate or shorten content in form fields \(Refine text\)

The Refine text skill is available in the Description and Reasoning fields on forms for business applications, business capabilities, business processes, value stream stages, and information objects.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Elaborate or shorten text in the Description field of a business application

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Elaborate or shorten text in the Description field of a business capability, business process, value stream stage, or information object

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Generate reasoning content for the Reasoning field (Planned Disposition section) of a business application by entering prompts in the text box

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Elaborate or shorten existing text in the Reasoning field

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

## Generate insights for EA Workspace dashboard widgets

The dashboard insights feature uses the AI Data Explorer and Query Generation skills to provide a conversational interface for querying and analyzing EA Workspace dashboard data. Both an EA Workspace role and the now_assist_explorer_user role are required.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Use the Explore with AI icon on any supported dashboard widget to open the AI Data Explorer

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires an EA Workspace role (sn_apm.apm_user or sn_apm.apm_read) AND now_assist_explorer_user. AI Data Explorer and Query Generation skills must be activated and AI Search must be configured.

Ask natural language questions about data from a single dashboard widget

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires EA Workspace role AND now_assist_explorer_user.

Perform trend analysis queries (for example, how application counts changed over time)

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires EA Workspace role AND now_assist_explorer_user.

Perform comparative queries (for example, application counts across different technology types)

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires EA Workspace role AND now_assist_explorer_user.

Perform specific metric queries (for example, which application family is most used)

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires EA Workspace role AND now_assist_explorer_user.

Use Standard analysis or Extended analysis mode

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires EA Workspace role AND now_assist_explorer_user.

Add the widget data to an exploration for ServiceNow Otto® to generate its own insights

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires EA Workspace role AND now_assist_explorer_user.

Define a goal to improve the quality of generated insights; ask follow-up questions based on ServiceNow Otto® suggestions

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires EA Workspace role AND now_assist_explorer_user.

Summarize generated insights; share, duplicate, or delete generated insights

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

Requires EA Workspace role AND now_assist_explorer_user.

## Generate enterprise architecture diagram skill

The Generate enterprise architecture diagram skill uses an AI agent to create Enterprise Modeling and Visualization diagrams from an uploaded image. After the diagram is generated, you can review the result in split-screen mode, where shapes with a low confidence are highlighted for review. You can accept or replace individual low-confidence shapes, then publish the diagram or discard it entirely.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Activate and configure the Generate enterprise architecture diagram skill

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Upload an image and invoke the skill to generate an enterprise architecture diagram via the ServiceNow Otto panel

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Review the AI-generated diagram in split-screen mode, with the uploaded image displayed alongside the generated diagram canvas

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Identify and replace low-confidence shapes highlighted on the diagram canvas; accept an individual shape replacement to remove the highlight and reduce the low-confidence count

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Select Accept All to accept all shape replacements and move the diagram to draft state

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Select Discard to delete the AI-generated diagram, including the artifact, version, attachment, and diagram instance

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

A confirmation dialog is shown before the diagram is deleted.

## Enterprise Architecture Explorer Query Agent

The Enterprise Architecture Explorer query agent is an agentic ServiceNow Otto® skill that answers natural language questions about EA portfolio data. This includes business applications, capabilities, value streams, technology standards, and information objects. The agent is accessed from the ServiceNow Otto panel in Enterprise Architecture Workspace.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Ask natural language questions about EA portfolio data using the ServiceNow Otto panel in Enterprise Architecture Workspace

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Query EA data across business applications, capabilities, value streams, TRM, information objects, and technical debt; query TCO on non-BA entities (capabilities, information objects, value streams, application services, and business services) by rolling up through associated business applications

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Apply multiple filter conditions and compare trends in a single question

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Ask follow-up questions within the same session without restating context; select suggested follow-up questions generated by the agent

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

Ask about the impact of an infrastructure CI, such as a database, database instance, server, or storage device. Ask about the infrastructure that a business application or application service depends on.

 

 

[Omitted image "icon-check-mark-green.png"] Alt text: Yes

 

 

 

## Conversational experience \(Virtual Agent\)

The conversational experience skills let any authenticated user register business applications or digital integrations through a natural language chat interface in any application that supports Virtual Agent. No EA Workspace role is required.

Capability

admin

now_assist_explorer_admin

sn_apm.apm_user

sn_apm.apm_read

now_assist_explorer_user

Notes

Register a business application through Virtual Agent by providing details such as name, description, IT owner, business owner, category, and application type

 

 

 

 

 

No role required. Any authenticated user can access this skill. A Virtual Agent-enabled application such as the Employee Center must be installed. The conversational experience must be configured by an admin.

Register a digital integration through Virtual Agent by providing details such as subscriber business application, provider digital interface, IT owner, and description

 

 

 

 

 

No role required. Any authenticated user can access this skill. A Virtual Agent-enabled application must be installed and configured by an admin.

Use short or elaborate natural language instructions — Virtual Agent maps the provided context to the appropriate catalog item fields automatically

 

 

 

 

 

No role required.

Skip non-required fields during the conversational registration flow

 

 

 

 

 

No role required.

Review and modify the auto-populated form fields before submission

 

 

 

 

 

No role required.

**Parent Topic:**[Install Enterprise Architecture Workspace](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-portfolio-management/install-ea-workspace.md)

Related topics

Configure ServiceNow Otto for Enterprise Architecture (EA)

Configure AI Data Explorer and Query Generation skills

ServiceNow Otto for Enterprise Architecture (EA)

Enterprise Architecture Workspace access roles

Enterprise Architecture AI agent diagramming agentic workflow

Exploring Enterprise Architecture query agent

Working with Enterprise Architecture query agent

Create a business process map diagram from an image

Review an AI-generated business process map diagram

Generate a summary for Architectural Decision Records (ADRs)

Elaborate or shorten content in ADRs

Generate insights into business applications

Compare Enterprise Modeling and Visualization diagrams

Elaborate or shorten content in form fields

Generate insights for Enterprise Architecture Workspace dashboard widgets

Register a business application conversationally

Register a digital integration conversationally

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