Difference between Reports and Performance Analytics (PA) in ServiceNow

[dp5438539]

Difference between Reports and Performance Analytics (PA) in ServiceNow

[aruncr0122]

Hi @dp5438539 ,

Reports → They just show you what’s in the system right now or for a given time range. Example: “How many open Incidents by priority today?”

Performance Analytics (PA) → Goes deeper. It stores data points over time, so you can track trends, changes, and predictions. Example: “How is the average incident resolution time improving week over week?”

In short: Reports = snapshot, PA = trends + history + future insights.

Thanks!

[Dhana3]

Hi @dp5438539 , 

Reporting is a basic functionality that enables you to use existing servicenow tables or database views to create reports like a bar chart, list view, and any other desired visualization. 

Now servicenow has moved to Platform analytics from reporting, which an improved version of reporting. 

Performance analytics is part of platform analytics which caters more to data analysis. It helps to create historically more accurate reports with capabilities like comparing two different metrics, calculating percentages, defining different data sources and breakdowns etc. 

You can read more about it as given by all the contributors in their replies in the servicenow docs. It is a vast topic. 

[M Iftikhar]

Hi @dp5438539 ,

Reports in ServiceNow provide a current or historical snapshot of data directly from tables useful for day-to-day operational visibility.

Performance Analytics (part of Platform Analytics) extends this by taking scheduled snapshots and storing them as indicators. This allows you to see trends, compare KPIs, use breakdowns, and even forecast performance over time.

Thanks & Regards,
Muhammad Iftikhar

If my response helped, please mark it as the accepted solution so others can benefit as well.

[pranita-24 · Accepted solution]

Hi @dp5438539 

     Reports

• Think of reports like a photo  - it shows you how things look right now (or for a chosen time).

• Example: “How many incidents are open today?”

• Good for: Quick checks, lists, pie charts, and one-time questions.

  
  Performance Analytics (PA)

  • PA is like a movie - it shows you how things change over time.

  • Example: “Are incidents going up or down every week?”

  • Good for: Tracking progress, seeing trends, setting goals, and predicting the future.

    
    When to use each?

    • Use Reports - if you just need a quick answer or a snapshot.

    • Use PA - if you want to measure improvement over time or check if you’re meeting your targets.