As ServiceNow continues to expand across Workspaces, APIs, integrations, and automation, enforcing business rules only at the UI level is no longer sufficient.
A common scenario
Fields appear mandatory or read-only in the UI, yet records still get created or updated with missing or invalid data. This often happens when:
Records are created via Workspaces
Data comes from Record Producers
Updates occur through imports or integrations
Bulk updates or background processes are used
The key distinction
UI rules may not run consistently across all entry points, but server-side validation always does.
Recommended approach
For rules that truly matter:
Use Dictionary mandatory flags where possible
Apply Data Policies for consistent enforcement
Add Business Rules for complex validation
Validate again before triggering downstream automation
UI logic should guide users—not be the only safeguard.
Takeaway
Modern implementations require designing for multiple entry points. Enforcing critical rules on the server ensures consistent, reliable data no matter how records are created.
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