How to Obtain your own ServiceNow Instance (PPM Focused)

[Rae Ann Prasnic]

One of the most valuable tools for learning ServiceNow is to obtain a Personal Developer Instance (PDI). This will allow you to be the administrator of your own instance and make changes without any consequences to your organization. 

Common reasons for obtaining a PDI:

• Compare your organization's instance to what is out-of-the- box (OOTB)
• Preview future releases in advance of your organization's upgrade
• Learn and grow

Important to Note:

• The instance will go away if you don't use it within ten (10) days. So, it is somewhat like a child...you need to give it attention in order to keep it alive. ServiceNow will send you an email and you will have a day or two to "wake" the instance. You simply need to login and make a minor change.
• If you make a change you regret, you can simply return your instance and start over. No judgements. "Mistakes are made. Lessons are learned."
• You can select any current release (e.g., New York, Orlando) and upgrade as new releases are available.
• Many plugins require a license. Warning: Falling in love with a plugin (feature) your organization doesn't license can be dangerous. Always talk to your ServiceNow Rep about licensing. 

Steps to obtain your own personal development instance (PDI):

1. Click here to begin. Scroll to find "Free Instance" and follow the steps for obtaining your instance.
2. Install plugins. Your instance will have basic functionality so you need to install plugins to see things like Project or Demand. Contact your ServiceNow administrator to understand what plugins are being used in your organization if you want to mirror the install. 
3. To install plugins, navigate to "Plugins". IMPORTANT: It is best to load Demo Data in your PDI.
4. Some common plugins for PPM are:
5. • Basic Installation:
   • • PPM Standard (load the demo data with the check box when installing the plugin)
     • Agile Development 2.0 (load the demo data with the check box when installing the plugin)
   • Performance Analytics Dashboards:
   • • Performance Analytics Premium for Project Portfolio Management
     • Performance Analytics - Content Pack - Project Portfolio Suite Dashboards
     • Performance Analytics Content Pack for Agile 2.0
   • If you install PA plugins you will need to activate the PA Data collector jobs

Let me know if this helps, Rae Ann

[Eric Surdez]

Dear Rae Ann,

What is the plugin name for installing PPM demo data?

I tried keying in "Demo", and within the 20 results shown nothing seems relevant to PPM.

Ideally we should be able to get PPM demo data that is available in the standard training instance (Paris).

Thank you,

Eric S.

[Rae Ann Prasnic]

When you install the PPM plugin there will be a check box for loading demo data. See example below for another plugin Case Digest. There isn't a separate plugin. 

Let me know if that answers your question, Rae Ann

[Eric Surdez]

yes thank you!
However since I had already installed the package, I had to select Repair, and I could see this checkbox.

[Jag22]

Hi Rae Ann,

I'm trying to locate the vanilla PPM & Demand module developer 'Tokyo' version and the filter is reporting not available. Maybe I'm not looking in the correct area. The screenshot is:

It's been a while since I last had a dabble with the developer.

I seek your help and advise

Thanks,

Jag

[Heather15]

Thank you so much for this article!! The last time I had to get a PDI installed was 3 years ago and I'd forgotten about getting the plugins installed and this saved me. Only fitting it would be your article I'd find to help out @Rae Ann Prasnic 

[maxquit55]

How can I install an app from the store? It takes me to a new page and asks for HI login which I don’t have.  Thanks!