Generate a summary for Architectural Decision Records (ADRs)

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • Quickly learn the details of the Architectural Decision Records (ADR) from the summary that is generated by Now Assist in the Enterprise Architecture Workspace. Minimize the time that you spend in reading large Architectural Decision Records (ADR) artifacts that helps you to understand the background of a specific architectural decision by using a summary that is generated by Now Assist.

    Before you begin

    Note:
    Depending on your license, you will have access to certain application features, generative AI skills, agentic workflows, and AI agents. For more information, see ServiceNow product tiers.
    Make sure that the ADR Doc Summarization and Actions skill is activated. For information, see Configure Now Assist for Enterprise Architecture (EA).
    Note:
    The ADR feature in Enterprise Architecture Workspace uses the ServiceNow Docs component (sn_docs) to create pages in the Artifacts section. Docs component v6.0.0 is automatically installed with Enterprise Architecture Workspace v3.4.0.

    If you’re using an older version of Enterprise Architecture Workspace with Docs component v6.0.0, upgrade the workspace to v3.4.0 to fully use the ADR functionality. For more information, see KB2017926.

    Role required: sn_apm.apm_user

    About this task

    When an Enterprise Architect receives an approval request for the ADR type of artifact, the Summarize button helps to quickly generate a summary of the content in the ADR document. It helps you to save time in reading large documents by generating a quick summary of it.

    Procedure

    1. Navigate to Workspaces > Enterprise Architecture Workspace.
    2. Open the Portfolio List view by selecting the Portfolio icon Portfolio icon.
    3. Select the expand row icon (Expand Row icon) next to Information Portfolio.
    4. Select Architectural Decision Records.
    5. Select the ADR that you want to summarize the content for.
    6. In the Artifact content tab, select Summarize.
      Doc summarization page
    7. Select Done to complete the summarization.
      You can also copy the summarized text.