Build a visual flow for Guided Self-Service
Create a visual playbook flow of activities so that employees can find information in a more intuitive and visual way.
Before you begin
Understand the basics of playbooks and workflow studio Building Playbooks.
Review the information from Guided Self-Service reference.
Role required: sn_hr_sp.esc_admin, playbook.write
Procedure
-
Follow the instructions available in Create an activity definition.
-
On the Workflow Studio, use the existing questionnaire activity available from Add activity > Common Activities > Questionnaire for authoring question and answer flow.
Here is a sample illustration of the entire flow.
[Omitted image "gss-playbook-design-flow.png"] Alt text: process design flow
Each activity definition contains some basic configuration details, as well as an automation plan and activity experience. Table is Guided Self-Service (GSS) Process Execution.
-
On the Workflow Studio, use the new GSS-specific activities.
- Add activity > Guided Self-Service in Employee Center > Catalog Item Guidance.
- Add activity > Guided Self-Service in Employee Center > Show Knowledge Article Guidance.
- Add activity > Common Activities > Instruction Activity. [Omitted image "gss-add-activity-ec-interactive.png"] Alt text: Add activity for GSS
For more information, see the activity information such as Input, Output, and Advanced Properties on the UI.
-
On the Workflow Studio, customize triggers, flows, decisions, and so on.
Here is a sample illustration for time off flow.
[Omitted image "gss-pad-trigger-flow-confi.png"] Alt text: Workflow Studio PAD design
Note: Ensure you configure the Restart operation for every activity in the flow. When only one activity has the restart operation, it won't work.
Based on the security access and user permissions, the catalog items and KBs appear. For more information, see Create a playbook.
Note: The Activity Definition [sys_pd_activity_definition] table lists the definitions for the activities that you can add to a playbook in Workflow Studio.
-
Click Activate.
Note: Only when you activate the GSS process, the Add button is displayed on the Assigned Topics.
Result
GSS is configured to guide employees. For more information, see Use Guided Self-Service.
---
title: Build a visual flow for Guided Self-Service
description: Create a visual playbook flow of activities so that employees can find information in a more intuitive and visual way.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/employee-service-management/employee-experience-foundation/gss-guided-help-pad-playbook.html
release: brazil
product: Employee Experience Foundation
classification: employee-experience-foundation
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Guided Self-Service in Employee Center, Setup Employee Center browse experience features, Configuring Employee Center, Employee Center, EmployeeWorks, Employee Service Management]
---
# Build a visual flow for Guided Self-Service
Create a visual playbook flow of activities so that employees can find information in a more intuitive and visual way.
## Before you begin
Understand the basics of playbooks and workflow studio [Building Playbooks](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/build-workflows/building-a-process.md).
Review the information from [Guided Self-Service reference](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/employee-service-management/employee-experience-foundation/gss-guided-self-service-reference-info.md).
Role required: sn\_hr\_sp.esc\_admin, playbook.write
## Procedure
1. Follow the instructions available in [Create an activity definition](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/build-workflows/create-activity-definition.md).
2. On the Workflow Studio, use the existing questionnaire activity available from **Add activity** > **Common Activities** > **Questionnaire** for authoring question and answer flow.
Here is a sample illustration of the entire flow.
\[Omitted image "gss-playbook-design-flow.png"\] Alt text: process design flow
Each activity definition contains some basic configuration details, as well as an automation plan and activity experience. Table is Guided Self-Service \(GSS\) Process Execution.
3. On the Workflow Studio, use the new GSS-specific activities.
- **Add activity** > **Guided Self-Service in Employee Center** > **Catalog Item Guidance**.
- **Add activity** > **Guided Self-Service in Employee Center** > **Show Knowledge Article Guidance**.
- **Add activity** > **Common Activities** > **Instruction Activity**.
\[Omitted image "gss-add-activity-ec-interactive.png"\] Alt text: Add activity for GSS
For more information, see the activity information such as Input, Output, and Advanced Properties on the UI.
4. On the Workflow Studio, customize triggers, flows, decisions, and so on.
Here is a sample illustration for time off flow.
\[Omitted image "gss-pad-trigger-flow-confi.png"\] Alt text: Workflow Studio PAD design
**Note:** Ensure you configure the Restart operation for every activity in the flow. When only one activity has the restart operation, it won't work.
Based on the security access and user permissions, the catalog items and KBs appear. For more information, see [Create a playbook](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/build-workflows/create-process-definition.md).
**Note:** The Activity Definition \[sys\_pd\_activity\_definition\] table lists the definitions for the activities that you can add to a playbook in **Workflow Studio**.
5. Click **Activate**.
**Note:** Only when you activate the GSS process, the **Add** button is displayed on the **Assigned Topics**.
## Result
GSS is configured to guide employees. For more information, see [Use Guided Self-Service](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/employee-service-management/employee-experience-foundation/gss-guided-self-service-homepage.md).
| title | Build a visual flow for Guided Self-Service |
| description | Create a visual playbook flow of activities so that employees can find information in a more intuitive and visual way. |
| locale | en-US |
| canonical_url | https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/employee-service-management/employee-experience-foundation/gss-guided-help-pad-playbook.html |
| release | brazil |
| product | Employee Experience Foundation |
| classification | employee-experience-foundation |
| topic_type | task |
| last_updated | 2026-09-10 |
| reading_time_minutes | 1 |
| breadcrumb | Guided Self-Service in Employee CenterSetup Employee Center browse experience featuresConfiguring Employee CenterEmployee CenterEmployeeWorksEmployee Service Management |