Building a Mobile RSVP App: A Step-by-Step Guide Using ServiceNow Mobile App Builder

[Chuck Tomasi]

Have you ever found yourself juggling emails, trying to keep track of who’s attending your event? Chuck Tomasi had the same issue, so he built a ServiceNow application to manage RSVPs. But there was a catch—updating these RSVPs on the go wasn’t as seamless as it could be. That’s where this episode of Live Coding Happy Hour comes in.

In this session, Chuck, Earl, Sharon, Daniel, Dhruv and Ashutosh team up to transform Chuck’s RSVP management application into a mobile-friendly version using ServiceNow’s Mobile App Builder. If you’re a developer looking to dive into mobile app creation, this guide will walk you through the process from start to finish.

Getting Started

The journey begins with setting up the Mobile App Builder and configuring the navigation tabs. The goal is simple: allow users to access a list of events and update their RSVP statuses directly from their mobile devices.

Creating Event Screens

The first step involves creating a screen to display a list of events. The team discusses best practices for choosing and customizing card layouts to present event details such as names, dates, and the number of RSVPs. Through trial and error, they demonstrate how to select templates and map fields to get the desired display.

Building the Event Record View

Next, the team focuses on building a detailed event record view. This screen should allow users to see all relevant information about an event and, if necessary, update details. Using the Mobile Card Builder, the team crafts a layout that’s both functional and visually appealing.

Adding Related Lists for RSVPs

A key feature of this app is the ability to manage RSVPs. To do this, the team sets up a related list on the event record screen to display attendees. They explore different methods to ensure this list dynamically updates based on the selected event. This part of the process showcases some of the more complex features of the Mobile App Builder, including setting up dynamic parameters to filter the list by event.

Troubleshooting and Optimization

Of course, no live coding session is complete without a few hiccups. The team encounters challenges, such as dealing with scope issues and understanding the relationship between different screens and data sources. However, these moments provide valuable insights into the troubleshooting process, showing viewers how to navigate common obstacles in ServiceNow development.

Conclusion

By the end of the session, the team has (almost) built a mobile app that allows Chuck to manage event RSVPs on the go. While they didn’t get to every stretch goal, the foundation is in place for a functional, user-friendly mobile app.

If you’re a ServiceNow developer interested in mobile app development, this episode is packed with practical tips and real-world problem-solving that will help you get started on your own projects. Whether you’re building a simple app or tackling more complex challenges, the skills demonstrated here are sure to come in handy.

Don’t forget to check out the full episode to see the step-by-step process in action!