CIS-PA Certified Implementation Specialist - Platform Analytics Questions and Answers

The pa.getRate() method is used in Platform Analytics to calculaterates of performance over time, such as incidents resolved per day, requests closed per week, or changes per reporting period. This method works ontime series dataand applies aggregation logic to derive a rate rather than a raw count or sum.

pa.getChange() is used to calculate the difference between two data points, not a rate. pa.getIndicator() retrieves indicator metadata and does not perform calculations. gs.getDuration() is a general-purpose GlideSystem utility for calculating durations and is unrelated to analytics time series processing. ServiceNow documentation clearly identifies pa.getRate() as the appropriate API for rate-based calculations using historical indicator scores, making option D the correct answer.

WhenCollect recordsis enabled on an Automated Indicator, Platform Analytics stores thesys_ids of the recordsthat contributed to each indicator score at collection time. This capability enablesdrill-down functionality, allowing users to view the exact records behind a score directly from analytics widgets and dashboards. Importantly, Platform Analytics doesnot store full copies of records—only the identifiers—ensuring historical accuracy while maintaining storage efficiency.

Option A describes thepreview featureavailable when defining indicator conditions, not record collection. Option B refers tomanual data collection, which is triggered separately. Option C is incorrect because Platform Analytics does not retain full record snapshots. ServiceNow documentation clearly states that enabling Collect records allows analytics users to drill into the contributing records for any given score, making option D the correct and precise answer.

Ascripted Breakdown Mappingis required when the breakdown value cannot be obtained through adirect field mappingor simple reference relationship. Categorizing requests based onthe number of times they were updatedrequires calculating a value dynamically (for example, counting updates from the audit history), which is not stored as a single field on the record. Because this value must be derived programmatically, a scripted mapping is necessary.

Options B and C use existing fields (category, priority) that can be mapped directly without scripting. Option D usesage ranges, which are handled throughBucket Groupsand thepa_bucketstable, not scripted mappings. ServiceNow documentation clearly states that scripted mappings are intended forcalculated, derived, or indirect values, making option A the correct answer.

When aBucket Groupis used as a Breakdown Source in Platform Analytics, the requiredFacts tableisBucket [pa_buckets]. Bucket Groups define how numeric or duration values (such as age, time, or cost ranges) are grouped, but they do not store analytics facts themselves. The actual bucketed values generated during data collection are stored in thepa_bucketstable, which makes it the authoritative facts table for bucket-based breakdowns.

Thepa_bucket_groupstable only stores configuration metadata for bucket definitions. Thesys_choicetable is used exclusively for choice list values and is unrelated to bucket analytics. The Indicator Facts table stores indicator scores but does not contain bucket-level breakdown data. ServiceNow documentation explicitly states that any breakdown based on bucket groups must reference thepa_bucketstable to ensure accurate historical analysis and proper breakdown rendering. Therefore, option C is the only correct answer.

Analytics Centeris the workspace used to create and manageNext Experience DashboardsandData Visualizations. It provides a unified interface for building modern, interactive analytics experiences, including metric visualizations, time series, breakdown views, and dashboards.

Analytics Hub is primarily used forviewing and exploring existing analytics, not creating them. Reports Administration and Analytics Administration serve different purposes and do not support Next Experience dashboard creation. ServiceNow documentation explicitly identifies Analytics Center as the creation and management environment for Next Experience analytics content, making option D the correct answer.

ServiceNow best practice recommends running Performance Analytics data collections using a dedicated service account specifically created for analytics processing. This ensures consistent permissions, predictable access to data, and improved auditability.

Running collections as individual admins can introduce permission inconsistencies if roles change. The maint account is intended for system upgrades and maintenance, not scheduled analytics jobs. A dedicated Performance Analytics service account minimizes operational risk and aligns with ServiceNow security and governance guidelines.

ServiceNow documentation emphasizes the importance of service accounts for background processing, making option C the correct and recommended choice.

When creating a breakdown based on theage of a task, the correctFacts tablefor the Breakdown Source isBucket [pa_buckets]. In Platform Analytics, age-based breakdowns (such as 0–5 days, 6–10 days, etc.) are not derived directly from the Task table. Instead, they usebucketed data, which is generated bybucket groupsduring data collection.

Thepa_bucketstable stores the calculated bucket values for records at collection time, making it the authoritative facts table for age, duration, and numeric range breakdowns. Bucket Groups define how values are grouped, while the Bucket table stores the actual bucket assignments used in analytics. The Task table itself cannot be used as the facts table for age breakdowns because Platform Analytics requires pre-aggregated, time-aware bucket data to ensure historical accuracy. The Choice table is only used for choice list values and is unrelated to numeric or age-based breakdowns. ServiceNow documentation clearly states that bucket-based breakdowns must reference thepa_bucketstable to function correctly and produce accurate time series analytics.

An Automated Breakdown is confirmed to be using aBucket Groupwhen theFacts table of the Breakdown Sourceis set toBucket [pa_buckets]. Bucket Groups define how numeric or duration values are grouped, but the actual bucketed analytics data is stored in thepa_bucketstable during data collection.

The Breakdown Source is responsible for defining where the breakdown facts originate. If its Facts table ispa_buckets, this indicates that the breakdown is based on bucketed values generated by a Bucket Group. The Breakdown record itself does not define the facts table, and default element filters or related list conditions do not establish the use of bucket data.

ServiceNow Platform Analytics documentation clearly states that all bucket-based breakdowns must referencepa_bucketsat the Breakdown Source level, making option C the correct and definitive answer.

During data collection, Platform Analytics first applies theIndicator Source conditionsto retrieve the base dataset. Once the source data is identified, the system then evaluates theAdditional conditionsdefined on the Indicator itself.

This separation allows indicator-specific filtering without duplicating logic in the indicator source, supporting reuse and performance optimization. Additional conditions do not run in parallel with source conditions and are not evaluated at visualization time. ServiceNow documentation explicitly explains that Indicator conditions refine the datasetafterthe source query executes, making option D the correct answer.

Performance AnalyticsContent Packsprovide prebuilt indicators, breakdowns, dashboards, and jobs for specific applications such as Incident, Problem, or Change Management. To activate these packs, administrators navigate toPerformance Analytics > Add Content Pack. This interface lists all available analytics content packs and allows administrators to preview and activate them.

Option A refers to Solution activation, which is unrelated to Performance Analytics content. Option B is used for application plugins, not analytics packs. Option D does not exist as a valid navigation path for Performance Analytics. ServiceNow documentation explicitly identifiesPerformance Analytics > Add Content Packas the correct location to install analytics content, making option C the verified answer.

When a predefined filter condition is selected during data source configuration, Platform Analytics applies the filter immediately and displays it in the Conditions section, where it can be reviewed, modified, or extended. This allows administrators to start with a standard filter and refine it to meet specific analytics requirements.

The filter is not automatically saved for future use, nor does it automatically select the data source without user confirmation. ServiceNow documentation clarifies that predefined filters act as starting templates, not locked or persistent filters. Administrators retain full control to adjust conditions before saving the indicator or data source. Therefore, option D accurately describes the behavior.

In KPI Details, Platform Analytics usesforecastingto predict whether an indicator is likely to meet its defined target within the specified timeframe. When the forecast shows that the indicator is expected to reach the target, theKPI status is automatically set to “On Track.”

This status update helps stakeholders quickly assess performance without manual interpretation of trend lines. Platform Analytics does not automatically create new targets, generate comments, or prompt target owners to change review dates as part of the forecasting process. Those actions remain manual and governed by performance review practices. ServiceNow documentation explains that KPI status reflects the relationship between current performance, targets, and forecasted trends, making option C the correct answer.

In Platform Analytics, aBreakdownis used togroup or filter indicator scoresbased on specific attributes, such as priority, category, assignment group, or age ranges. Breakdowns allow users to analyze how different segments contribute to overall performance and to compare trends across those segments over time.

Breakdowns operate onindicator scores, not on raw report data. While reports can also be grouped or filtered, that functionality is separate from Performance Analytics. A Breakdown does not define the source table itself (that is the role of the Breakdown Source), nor is it merely a choice list. ServiceNow documentation clearly defines Breakdowns as a core analytics concept used to slice indicator data for deeper performance insight, making option D the correct answer.

ThePA Adminrole provides full administrative access to Platform Analytics. Users with this role cancreate and configure indicators, definebreakdowns and breakdown sources, managedata collection jobs, activate content packs, and administer analytics security and settings.

PA Contributors typically create content within limited scopes, while PA Power Users focus on analysis and dashboards rather than core configuration. The PA Data Collector role is limited to running data collection jobs. ServiceNow documentation clearly identifiesPA Adminas the role required for full analytics configuration and administration, making option B the correct answer.

AnIndex Indicatorin Platform Analytics represents a composite score calculated from multiple supporting indicators. According to ServiceNow best practices, both theIndex and its supporting indicatorsshould be normalized so thathigher values represent better performance. Therefore, the correct configuration is atarget of 100%with aMaximizedirection.

This standardization ensures consistent weighting and scoring logic across all contributing indicators. If supporting indicators were set to Minimize or had inconsistent targets, the index calculation would produce misleading or inverted results. Options involving a 0% target are incorrect because index scores are designed to trend toward full achievement, represented as 100%. ServiceNow documentation clearly states that index indicators assume maximization logic for proper normalization and aggregation, making option D the correct and documented choice.