Can you change the orientation of a RAM's Heatmap?

AnthonyGates · ‎01-11-2026

This is more for esthetic purposes, but is it possible to modify the display of the Residual Heatmap built into a Risk Assessment Methodology (RAM) in such a way as to flip the y-axis so it runs in the opposite direction?

For example:

The RAM is configured for:

Inherent Risk, Control Effectiveness, and Residual Risk
Heatmaps are enabled for both Inherent and Residual Risk Assessment Types
Residual Risk is configured for:
- Calculate based on - Inherent risk and control effectiveness
- Qualitative scoring logic - Lookup matrix between inherent risk and control effectiveness

Thanks in advance.

Its_Sagnic · ‎01-13-2026

Hi @AnthonyGates ,

Hope you are doing well.

So I chceked your request this is not recommended to chnage the axis orientation.

It is not possible to modify the built-in ServiceNow Risk Assessment Methodology (RAM) Residual Heatmap display to flip the y-axis in the opposite direction (from 5 to 1 instead of 1 to 5) using standard configuration. The default display orientation of the axes within the out-of-the-box risk heatmap component is fixed by the system design.

The standard configuration for heatmaps uses a fixed layout where scores typically increase from bottom to top and left to right. Your provided image illustrates the current (standard) layout and your desired aesthetic, but the desired visual is not achievable with the current built-in functionality.

While you cannot flip the axis direction, you can configure other aspects of the heatmap, such as:

Axis Factors: Defining which factors (Impact, Likelihood, Control Effectiveness) are used for the X and Y axes.
Color Definitions: Adjusting the colors that correspond to different risk levels (Low, Medium, High).
Scoring Logic: Customizing how the scores are calculated (e.g., lookup matrix, script).

But If you want to convert 5x5 to 6x6 or vice versa .yes that is possible.

If you find the answer Useful please mark it as Helpful.

Regards,

Sagnic

View solution in original post

Its_Sagnic · ‎01-15-2026

Hi @AnthonyGates ,

In one of our recent requirement Client Requested that they will give the assessment based on 6 factors but in the Hitmap it must show the details in 5x5 format.

We need to create a Business rule to map the 5x5 Matrix to 6x6.

Conditions :

Table :

Risk Assessment Instance Response [sn_risk_advanced_risk_assessment_instance_response]

When : After
Action : Insert, Update
Condition : Assessment Instance.Risk Assessment Methodology is ( Select your Assessment Methodolody )

Code :

(function executeRule(current, previous /*null when async*/ ) {


    var sys = current.assessment_instance_id;
    var rec = new GlideRecord("sn_risk_advanced_risk_assessment_instance");
    rec.get(sys);

    var res = new GlideRecord("sn_risk_advanced_risk_assessment_instance_response");
    res.addQuery("assessment_instance_id", rec.sys_id);
    res.orderBy("sys_updated_on");
    res.query();

    while (res.next()) {
        var type = res.getValue("assessment_type");
        if (type == 1) {
            if (res.factor.getDisplayValue() == "Impact  (ERM RAM 6x6: MOE (With Inherent))") {
                var impact = res.getValue("qualitative_response");
                var calcImpact = res.getValue("u_normalized_score1");
                //normImpact = parseInt(normImpact);
            }
            if (res.factor.getDisplayValue() == "Likelihood (ERM RAM 6x6: MOE (With Inherent))") {
                var likelihood = res.getValue("qualitative_response");
                var calcLikelihood = res.getValue("u_normalized_score1");
                //normLikelihood = parseInt(normLikelihood);
            }
        } else if (type == 3) {//
            if (res.factor.getDisplayValue() == "Impact  (ERM RAM 6x6: MOE (With Inherent))") {
                var impactResidual = res.getValue("qualitative_response");
                var calcImpactResidual = res.getValue("u_normalized_score1");
                //normImpact = parseInt(normImpact);
            }
            if (res.factor.getDisplayValue() == "Likelihood (ERM RAM 6x6: MOE (With Inherent))") {
                var likelihoodResidual = res.getValue("qualitative_response");
                var calcLikelihoodResidual = res.getValue("u_normalized_score1");
                //normLikelihood = parseInt(normLikelihood);
            }
        }
    }
    // gs.info("Residual BinitaImpact " + calcImpactResidual);

    // gs.info("Residual  BinitaLikelihood " + calcLikelihoodResidual);
    var inherent = calcImpact * calcLikelihood;
    var residual = calcImpactResidual * calcLikelihoodResidual;

    // gs.info("Residual  Binitainherent " + residual);
    var inherentRating = "";
    var residualRating = "";

    if (type == 1) {
        if (inherent > 0 && inherent <= 6) {
            inherentRating = "Low";
        } else if (inherent > 6 && inherent <= 13) {
            inherentRating = "Moderate";
        } else if (inherent > 13 && inherent <= 19) {
            inherentRating = "High";
        } else if (inherent > 19 && inherent <= 25) {
            inherentRating = "Very High";
        }

        rec.setValue("u_computed_impact_score", impact);
        rec.setValue("u_computer_likelihood_score", likelihood);
        rec.setValue("u_calculated_impact", calcImpact);
        rec.setValue("u_calculated_likelihood", calcLikelihood);
        rec.setValue("u_calculated_inherent_score", inherent);
        rec.setValue("u_calculated_inherent_rating", inherentRating);
        rec.update();


    } else if (type == 3) {
        if (residual > 0 && residual <= 6) {
            residualRating = "Low";
        } else if (residual > 6 && residual <= 13) {
            residualRating = "Moderate";
        } else if (residual > 13 && residual <= 19) {
            residualRating = "High";
        } else if (residual > 19 && residual <= 25) {
            residualRating = "Very High";
        }

        rec.setValue("u_computed_impact_residual", impactResidual);
        rec.setValue("u_computed_likelihood_residual", likelihoodResidual);
        rec.setValue("u_calculated_impact_residual", calcImpactResidual);
        rec.setValue("u_calculated_likelihood_residual", calcLikelihoodResidual);
        rec.setValue("u_calculated_residual_score", residual);
        rec.setValue("u_calculated_residual_rating", residualRating);
        rec.update();
    }

})(current, previous);

Use the code above and if you get it helpful please markit as helpful.

Regards,

Sagnic

View solution in original post

pverni · 3 weeks ago

Hello Sagnic,

You explained that the heatmap pattern is to increase from left to right, but mine is the opposite.

Do you know how I can make it return to the correct orientation?

Its_Sagnic · 3 weeks ago

Hi @pverni ,

Is this something you are looking for ??

Regards,

Sagnic

pverni · 3 weeks ago

Yes Sagnic,

But my x-axis in heatmap start with my highest score (não atende = 3):

If you see in my control assessment the order is 1,2 and 3. But in heatmap is 3,2 and 1:

Did you now how can I fix this?

Its_Sagnic · 2 weeks ago

Hi  @pverni ,

The Heatmap configuration is not directly derived from the Qualitative Rating Criteria.
Typically, heatmaps are configured based on either inherent or residual risk ratings.

For example, in an inherent assessment, once you open the assessment, you will need to configure the heatmap by selecting the X‑axis and Y‑axis values from the Heatmap Configuration section.

Qualitative Rating Criteria :

Assessment type	Background color	Lower rating interval	Overridden score	Rating	Risk appetite scale	Risk color style	Domain	Text color
Inherent Assessment	#49A252	0.00	2.00	Very Low		Very Low Risk	global	#000000
Inherent Assessment	#B9D629	3.00	4.00	Low		Low Risk	global	#2E2E2E
Inherent Assessment	#FFC651	5.00	9.00	Moderate		Moderate Risk	global	#2E2E2E
Inherent Assessment	#EB8947	10.00	16.00	High		High Risk	global	#2E2E2E
Inherent Assessment	#D95454	20.00	25.00	Very High		Very High Risk	global	#000000

Heatmap Colors :

Assessment type	Display order	Risk color style	Domain	X-axis	Y-axis
Inherent Assessment	0	Very Low Risk	global	Insignificant	Rare
Inherent Assessment	1	Very Low Risk	global	Insignificant	Unlikely
Inherent Assessment	2	Low Risk	global	Insignificant	Possible
Inherent Assessment	3	Low Risk	global	Insignificant	Likely
Inherent Assessment	4	Moderate Risk	global	Insignificant	Almost Certain
Inherent Assessment	5	Very Low Risk	global	Minor	Rare
Inherent Assessment	6	Low Risk	global	Minor	Unlikely
Inherent Assessment	7	Moderate Risk	global	Minor	Possible
Inherent Assessment	8	Moderate Risk	global	Minor	Likely
Inherent Assessment	9	High Risk	global	Minor	Almost Certain
Inherent Assessment	10	Low Risk	global	Moderate	Rare
Inherent Assessment	11	Moderate Risk	global	Moderate	Unlikely
Inherent Assessment	12	Moderate Risk	global	Moderate	Possible
Inherent Assessment	13	High Risk	global	Moderate	Likely
Inherent Assessment	14	High Risk	global	Moderate	Almost Certain
Inherent Assessment	15	Low Risk	global	Major	Rare
Inherent Assessment	16	Moderate Risk	global	Major	Unlikely
Inherent Assessment	17	High Risk	global	Major	Possible
Inherent Assessment	18	High Risk	global	Major	Likely
Inherent Assessment	19	Very High Risk	global	Major	Almost Certain
Inherent Assessment	20	Moderate Risk	global	Catastrophic	Rare
Inherent Assessment	21	High Risk	global	Catastrophic	Unlikely
Inherent Assessment	22	High Risk	global	Catastrophic	Possible
Inherent Assessment	23	Very High Risk	global	Catastrophic	Likely
Inherent Assessment	24	Very High Risk	global	Catastrophic	Almost Certain

After completing this setup, you will see an option to configure the heatmap colors through a related list called Heatmap Colors. Here, you can define the appropriate color mappings, which will then be reflected in the Heatmap report.

If you find this solution helpful, please mark it as useful and accept the solution to close the thread.

Regards,

Sagnic

Its_Sagnic · 2 weeks ago

Hi @pverni ,

I hope you tried this solution.

If it is useful for you plese mark it as helpful.

Regards,

Sagnic