--- sourceDocument: Xanadu Governance, Risk, and Compliance sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/xanadu/governance-risk-compliance Release : - xanadu ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Xanadu Governance, Risk, and Compliance ft:clusterId : - grc bundleId : - grc workflow : - Technology --- # Use template designer # Using the template designer {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Xanadu * * Updated July 31, 2025 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read You can create assessment templates and add instructions, questions, and reference information by using the template designer in the Smart Assessment Engine application. Smart assessments can help you to evaluate various situations, aspects, or records. ## Overview of using the template designer {#sae-template-designer__section_fww_2st_rbc} If you have the template manager \[sn_smart_asmt.template_manager\] or assessment admin \[sn_smart_asmt.assessment_admin\] role, you can create and update assessment templates by navigating to the Assessment Workspace landing page. You can create a template by selecting the New template button and update an assessment template by selecting an existing unpublished assessment template from the Assessment templates list. The following example shows the Assessment Workspace landing page, where you can view all templates and open the template designer. Figure 1. Assessment Workspace landing page In the template designer, you can view and edit the assessment template details on the General tab. From this tab, you can access the Settings page to configure the key settings. For example, configuring the assessment duration sets the time frame for your responders to complete the assessment. ## Adding instructions and questions to a template {#sae-template-designer__section_rvv_fst_rbc} Instructions help you set clear expectations for your responders, and questions help you gather precise and relevant information from your responders. You can add instructions and questions to a new assessment template or an existing assessment template. You can add sections to categorize your questions by different areas. Each section requires a name and specific questions. You can choose from the following question types: * Text question * Drop-down list question * Radio button question * Check box question * Number question * Reference question * Attachment question * Date question {#sae-template-designer__ul_kh5_3bb_4fc} You can also customize the attributes of the question, such as its visibility conditions, setting up default automated response, and justification requirements to ensure well-supported answers. Figure 2. Question types You can use instructions and questions to help gather precise and relevant information from your responders. For more information, see [Add instructions and questions to an assessment template](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/evQn7F3kvPXYiuAMflp_XQ "Add instructions and questions to an assessment template by using the Smart Assessment Engine application. You can use instructions and questions to help gather precise and relevant information from designated responders."). ## Adding reference information to a template {#sae-template-designer__section_l1d_k23_sbc} You can add reference information that assessors can see while they complete the assessment. The reference information can include any live data from the assessment scope. For example, you can include information on any of the associated incidents, work notes, or domain. Adding necessary reference information to assessments can help minimize the need for external references. For information on how to add reference information, see [Add reference information to an assessment template](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/LI7~xaFLzID3HyiLwng8lg "Add reference information to an assessment template to help ensure that assessors can access to the information they need while responding to assessments by using the Smart Assessment Engine. With an assessment template, you can minimize the need for external references and can improve the efficiency of the assessment process."). ## Creating categories for an assessment template {#sae-template-designer__section_pqp_gst_rbc} Template categories determine who can access the template. Before you can add an assessment template category to a new or existing unpublished assessment template, you must make a template category. You can't create a template category within the template designer, and after a template is associated with a template category, you can't update it. For information on how to create assessment template categories, see [Create an assessment template category](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XX81TpNnNOqq8zcoSNvLHA "Create an assessment template category in the Smart Assessment Engine application so that you can organize and grant access to the assessment templates that are related."). ## Searching within assessment templates {#sae-template-designer__section_ejh_hbz_b2c} Search for text within the assessment template sections, subsections, or questions. The search results appear in place of the content tree, and the first match is highlighted. If no matches are found, a No results found message is displayed. You can select the search icon ![]() in the navigation pane to display the search box. ## Triggering assessments {#sae-template-designer__section_ohy_jgt_dcc} After you finalize and publish these templates, you can use them to trigger the assessments. For more information on triggering the assessments, see [Triggering assessments](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/tkNi4C2s14ZMCVOtGtZRRg "You can trigger a Smart Assessment Engine assessment from the Workflow Studio or from a script. With either method, you specify a published assessment template, the assessors who respond, and other optional inputs."). Note: You can create an assessment template only from a published assessment. If there isn't an associated active assessment, you can modify and publish these published templates again.For more information, see [Accessing templates in the Assessment Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/LrcOQ~tDzVP5xFBx38PJZQ "You can see all your assessment template-related information on the Assessment Workspace landing page. You can review the published and unpublished assessment templates and create assessment templates by using the Smart Assessment Engine application.") and [Create an assessment template](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OxcYsRPcRMT4onGKab5bkw "Create an assessment template by using the Smart Assessment Engine application by naming it, specifying its categories, and optionally, specifying the tables that have the records as the assessment target or scope. You can then add questions and other attributes to the template. Alternatively, you can also copy an existing template including all questions, sections, instructions and existing configurations.").