---
sourceDocument: Australia Customer Service Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/customer-service-management

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Customer Service Management

ft:clusterId :

    - csm

bundleId :

    - csm

workflow :

    - Customer and Industry


---

# Playbooks in Customer Service Management

# Playbooks in Customer Service Management {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 10 minutes to read
Summarize  
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This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.  

## Summary of Playbooks in Customer Service Management

Playbooks in Customer Service Management (CSM) provide customer service agents with guided, step-by-step workflows to efficiently resolve specific case types.
They break down complex processes into sequential stages and activities, offering agents clear guidance and automations such as email notifications.
Playbooks are designed to be used within the CSM Configurable Workspace, enabling agents to follow structured workflows to complete tasks and resolve customer issues.
Show full answer Show less  

## Key Features

* **Workflow Visualization:** Playbooks divide workflows into stages and activities, presenting them in a task-oriented view for easy navigation and completion.
* **Role-Based Usage and Tools:** Different roles such as playbook admins, experience admins, UI Builder admins, agents, and end users interact with playbooks through specialized tools like Workflow Studio and UI Builder.
* **Flexible Configuration:** Playbooks are created and customized using Workflow Studio and UI Builder, with additional configuration available via playbook experience records to control activity views, visibility, and compact mode display.
* **Multiple Playbook Applications:** Several pre-built playbook applications are available for common CSM scenarios, including onboarding, complaints, and product support, which can be customized to fit specific business needs.
* **Agent Capabilities:** Agents can track progress through stages, complete activities, filter tasks, add optional activities, and use contextual side panels for communication, dynamic related records, and case summaries.
* **Compact Mode:** Playbooks can be configured to appear in a contextual side panel within the workspace, allowing agents to work on playbook activities alongside other record information.
* **Playbook Experiences:** These control the rendering, look and feel, and behavior of playbooks within the workspace, allowing customization for different user roles or case types.

## Practical Application for ServiceNow Customers

ServiceNow customers can leverage playbooks to standardize and streamline customer case resolution, ensuring agents follow best practices with guided workflows. By using the Workflow Studio and UI Builder tools, customers can tailor playbooks to their unique business processes, enhancing agent efficiency and case handling consistency.

Configured playbooks improve agent productivity by providing clear task sequences, automating repetitive steps, and enabling dynamic communication within the workspace. The availability of pre-built playbook applications for onboarding, complaints, and product support accelerates deployment and adoption.

Compact mode and customizable playbook experiences enhance usability by integrating playbooks seamlessly into the agent workspace, allowing multitasking and personalized views. Additionally, the ability to preview playbooks before deployment helps ensure configurations meet business requirements.

## Next Steps

* Identify the appropriate playbook applications or create custom playbooks tailored to your case types using Workflow Studio.
* Use UI Builder to design or customize playbook pages and configure activity views and compact mode for optimal agent experience.
* Configure playbook experiences to control visibility and user interaction based on roles and case context.
* Train agents to use playbooks within CSM Configurable Workspace, enabling them to follow guided steps and efficiently resolve cases.
* Utilize available plugins and manage dependencies to ensure playbook functionality is fully integrated within your ServiceNow environment.  
Playbooks provide customer service agents with step-by-step guidance for resolving specific types of cases. Agents can follow a playbook in CSM Configurable Workspace and complete guided activities to resolve customer issues.

## Playbook overview {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_qln_y5b_1cc}

A [playbook](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) is an end-to-end workflow that includes the stages, steps, and guidance to lead users through a business process. A playbook visualizes a
workflow in a task-oriented view and guides users through sequences of tasks.

A playbook takes a workflow and breaks it into multiple stages. Each stage in a playbook includes a logical group of sequential activities for an agent to complete. Stages can also include automated activities, such as
sending an email to a customer when a stage or activity is complete.  
Playbooks include:

* A series of steps that a user must complete in order to achieve a particular goal and the necessary guidance for completing those steps.
* One or more stages, or groups of tasks, and sequences of activities within each stage.
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_qrp_czd_ybc}  
Playbooks are created in the [Workflow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=workflow-studio&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) application. Pages that display playbooks in a workspace are created in the [UI Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ui-builder-overview&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US) application. Agents use playbooks in [CSM Configurable Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/0kxWIJNMdwlYIB~al9NbOg "CSM Configurable Workspace is a user interface that provides customer service agents with the tools they need to assist customers, answer questions, and resolve issues quickly and efficiently.") to complete activities. End users can also use playbooks from service portals to create requests and provide information. For more information, see the following sections in this topic:

* [Playbook users and tools](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/w5tW~jAkHEvtMzEJ2Vo8QQ#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_lff_qpc_ybc)
* [Configuring and configuring playbooks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/w5tW~jAkHEvtMzEJ2Vo8QQ#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_mvs_sqc_ybc)
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_myg_jvk_1cc}

## Playbook users and tools {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_lff_qpc_ybc}

The following table describes the different user roles that are involved in the creation, configuration, and use of playbooks. It also describes the tools and applications used by each of those roles.{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_jd2_s2d_ybc__entry__2}

| User role | Tool / application |
|-|-|
| Playbook admin \[playbook.admin\] | Uses the [Workflow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=workflow-studio&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) application to author, configure, and monitor playbooks. Workflow Studio is the design environment where playbook owners build playbooks. |
| Playbook experience admin \[playbook_experience.admin\] | Uses the application to create playbook experience records. These records define how playbook activities appear within a playbook. |
| UI Builder admin \[ui_builder_admin\] | Uses the [UI Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ui-builder-overview&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US) application to create or customize pages that display playbooks in [CSM Configurable Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/0kxWIJNMdwlYIB~al9NbOg "CSM Configurable Workspace is a user interface that provides customer service agents with the tools they need to assist customers, answer questions, and resolve issues quickly and efficiently."). UI Builder is a web user interface builder. Users with the UI Builder admin role use the tool to create pages, which are collections of components that make up a workspace user interface. Note: [Playbook page templates](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/CwU21kmQvunOu_n~oEwLvg "Page components are the modular building blocks of a playbook record page, including the stage picker, activity picker, activity viewer, and contextual side panel that agents use to work through a case.") are available for UI Builder admins to use as a starting point for creating playbook pages. |
| Customer service agent \[sn_customerservice_agent\] | Uses playbooks in CSM Configurable Workspace to complete activities and resolve cases. The playbook runtime experience is where end users, such as agents, follow the playbook to complete a business process. |
| End user \[sn_customerservice.customer\] | Uses playbooks create cases, provide requested information, and complete assigned tasks. For more information, see [Playbooks for portals](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/a~HMq10efIKkqMDoZ8wdIA "With Customer Service Management (CSM) playbooks on service portals, you get the step-by-step guidance for the case flow process and the contextual information that you need to successfully complete each stage of the flow and its associated activities."). |
[Table 1. Playbook user roles and tools]

{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_jd2_s2d_ybc}

## Creating and configuring playbooks {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_mvs_sqc_ybc}

Creating and configuring a playbook involves different tools and applications. Playbooks are created using the Workflow Studio application. Some of the configuration for a playbook is performed in UI Builder as part of
the playbook component configuration. Additional settings can be configured in the playbook experience record in the Core UI. These settings include
selecting the playbook activity view and configuring playbook stage and activity visibility.  
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_lwt_dbd_ybc__entry__2}

| Tools | Tasks |
|-|-|
| [Workflow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=workflow-studio&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) | Workflow Studio is the design environment where playbook owners (users with the playbook.admin role) build playbooks. For more information, see the following topics: * [Exploring Workflow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=exploring-workflow-studio&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) * [Getting started with Playbooks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=getting-started-processes&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US) {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_t2g_qzb_ccc} |
|   | Playbook experience records define how playbook activities appear within a playbook. * Users with the playbook_experience.admin role can create playbook experience records. * Users with the ui_builder_admin role can select a playbook experience when adding a playbook to a page in UI Builder. {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_n5k_jvj_1cc} The playbook experience record includes settings for the playbook stage and activity visibility, such as hiding or displaying playbook activities based on user role or activity state. |
| [UI Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ui-builder-overview&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US) | Users with the ui_builder_admin role can use UI Builder to create or customize pages, which are collections of components that make up a workspace user interface. Some of the playbook configuration tasks in UI Builder include: * Selecting a playbook activity view: The activity view determines how the stages and activities are displayed in the playbook. Select a playbook activity view in the playbook component configuration in UI Builder. * Selecting a playbook experience: The playbook experience determines how the system renders a playbook in a workspace. You can use playbook experiences to customize the look and feel of a playbook, map user actions, and override activities. Select a playbook experience when adding a playbook to a page in UI Builder. * Configuring a playbook to use compact mode: Compact mode moves the playbook to the contextual side panel. Agents can complete playbook activities in the side panel while viewing other information in the record page. Configure a playbook to use compact mode in the playbook component configuration in UI Builder. {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_rtc_vqc_ybc} |
[Table 2. Configuration tasks and tools]

{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_lwt_dbd_ybc}

## Playbook applications {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_gcv_bms_h5b}

Several applications are available that enable you to create and use playbooks with Customer Service Management. See [Playbook plugins](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/w5tW~jAkHEvtMzEJ2Vo8QQ#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_qgq_ylk_llb) for detailed plugin and dependency information.{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_st4_vlz_2qb__entry__2}

| Application | Description |
|-|-|
| Playbooks for Customer Service Management | Use this application to create or customize playbooks based on your individual business needs. Create playbooks that support case types or the base customer service case. |
| [Case Playbook for Onboarding](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/BlxtXcoJlsCaCLOPTohFpw "Use the Case Playbook for Onboarding to manage the process for taking on new customers or enrolling customers for new products.") | Use this application to manage the process for taking on new customers or enrolling customers in new products. An onboarding case captures the details of the new customer, including their selection of products and services. |
| [Case Playbook for Complaints](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/xeu2SR4WUVzmwF4i~FsRGA "Use the Case Playbook for Complaints to guide agents through the steps that are needed to resolve customer complaints.") | Use this application to manage the process for handling customer complaints. A complaint case captures the details of the problem reported by the customer and the expected resolution. |
| [Case Playbook for Product Support](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/HdodfC0imXnkVHBhbG5CqQ "Use the Case Playbook for Product Support to guide agents through the steps that are needed to resolve product issues.") | Use this application to guide agents through the steps that are needed to resolve product issues. A product support case captures information about the customer, the product, and the reported issue. |
[Table 3. Customer Service Management playbook applications]

{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_st4_vlz_2qb}

## Playbook plugins {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_qgq_ylk_llb}

The Playbooks for Customer Service Management plugin (sn_csm_playbook) is available from the ServiceNow Store. This plugin requires the following plugins:

* Customer Service (com.sn_customerservice)
* Dynamic Related Records (com.snc.uib.sn_dyn_rel_rec)
* Playbook Experience (com.playbook_experience)
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_bnj_p4c_zpb}  
The following playbook applications are available for use with Customer Service Management and are available from the ServiceNow Store:

* Case Playbook for Onboarding
* Case Playbook for Complaints
* Case Playbook for Product Support
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_gbh_5pc_zpb}  
These playbooks require the following plugins:

* Playbooks for Customer Service Management (com.sn_csm_playbook)
* Customer Service Case Types (com.snc.csm_case_types)
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_aks_x4c_zpb}

## Using playbooks {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_xwj_3cc_1cc}

Customer service agents can use the guidance available with playbooks to complete the tasks and activities that are needed to resolve specific types of cases.  
A playbook includes multiple stages and each stage includes one or more activities for an agent to complete. When using a playbook, agents can:

* View the stages and activities.
* Select an activity and perform the work necessary to complete that activity.
* Mark an activity as complete and move to the next activity or stage.
* Complete the stages and activities necessary to resolve the case.
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_n5y_v2s_5pb}

Several features are available to agents when using a playbook, depending on the playbook configuration.  
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_ij1_n1v_bcc__entry__2}

|   |   |
|-|-|
| [Create a record using a playbook](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OlK3N24QmFQGF~ccUYjfrw "Create a record using a playbook activity instead of a record form.") | If a playbook is configured to use the record generator feature, customer service agents can create a record using a playbook activity. |
| [Filter playbook activities](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/q~5Isenm~w2YdA2wY7tU0Q "Filter the activities in the playbook stages by the selected user or activity state.") | Filter the activities in playbook stages by the selected user or activity state. |
| [Using the activity stream in the contextual side panel](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/BkNLQATSaSQm7IzMhVyXEg "Customer service agents can access the activity stream in the contextual side panel in CSM Configurable Workspace.") | Customer service agents can access the activity stream in the contextual side panel to communicate with requesters and make internal notes about the work done on a record. |
| [Viewing dynamic related records in the contextual side panel](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9l38eIfkOhGr5wrTrD_sSg "Customer service agents can view dynamic related records in the contextual side panel in CSM Configurable Workspace. This feature displays related records that dynamically change based on the context of the current record or playbook activity.") | Customer service agents can view dynamic related records that dynamically change based on the context of the current record or playbook activity. |
| [Viewing ribbon information in the contextual side panel](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1lc7oMdsrQUyM8AOkElx2w "Customer service agents can view ribbon information in the contextual side panel in CSM Configurable Workspace.") | Customer service agents can view ribbon information in the contextual side panel, including the case overview and timeline, Customer 360, and SLAs. |
| [Add an optional activity](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/MNOYMZ_tVeB7soTagoxPsw "Add optional activities to different stages in a playbook. Although customer processes follow a certain structure, optional tasks may be necessary in some instances. For example, a customer may want to schedule an appointment to visit a location.") | Add optional activities to different stages in a playbook as needed. For example, a customer may want to schedule an appointment to visit a location. |
| [Summarize a case](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mRn4gu7gZA85wBpQtIsJYQ "Enable your agents to summarize the case details and to display this information on the case record by using the ServiceNow Otto for CSM case summarization skill.") | Use the ServiceNow Otto for CSM case summarization skill to summarize the case details and display this information on the case record. |
[Table 4. Playbooks for CSM tasks]

{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_ij1_n1v_bcc}

## Configuring Playbooks {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_pvd_gsx_zjc}

Some of the configuration for a playbook is performed in UI Builder as part of the playbook component configuration. Additional settings can be configured in the playbook experience configuration record. These settings
include selecting the playbook activity view and configuring playbook stage and activity visibility.
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_bhd_hgd_1cc__entry__2}

| Configuration task | Description |
|-|-|
| Create or customize a playbook record page | A record page provides the base structure for how a record is displayed in CSM Configurable Workspace. The following playbook record pages are available with the Playbooks for Customer Service Management application \[com.sn_csm_playbook\]: * [Case playbook: horizontal stages page](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/aSm0Yb0M0SG5uBt067ftBw "The Case playbook: horizontal stages page is a record page that you can use in CSM Configurable Workspace. This page includes a playbook with a horizontal stage picker that displays across the top of the user interface and persistent information in the left panel.") * [Case playbook: vertical stages page](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/fivQaYMGtmkCBk4XB4vKxQ "The Case playbook: vertical stages page is a record page that you can use in CSM Configurable Workspace. This page includes a playbook with a vertical stage picker that displays in the left panel and can track overall progress on the UI in a vertical view.") {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_xtm_zhk_1cc} For more information, see [Manage UI Builder pages and page variants](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=work-pages&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US). |
| Configure the playbook record page settings | Each UI Builder record page includes the following settings: * Active: Enabling this check box makes the page available to the selected audience. * Order: This value indicates the page priority. The page with the lowest order value is the default page. * Conditions: Determine when a page variant is displayed. * Audience: Determines who can see the page. {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_khf_klk_1cc} For more information, see the following topics: * [Case playbook: horizontal stages page variant settings](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/aSm0Yb0M0SG5uBt067ftBw#csm-playbook-horizontal-stages__table_f5m_bhx_qbc) * [Case playbook: vertical stages page variant settings](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/fivQaYMGtmkCBk4XB4vKxQ#csm-playbook-vertical-stages__table_f5m_bhx_qbc) {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_m1y_ylk_1cc} |
| [Select a playbook activity view](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/qiIfR8~FsHcduxozkHs2wQ "The activity view determines how the stages and activities are displayed in the playbook.") | The activity view determines how the stages and activities are displayed in the playbook. * Stacked: \<add description\> * Focused: \<add description\> {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_srl_3gd_1cc}Users with the system administrator role can select a playbook activity view in the playbook component configuration in UI Builder. |
| [Configure playbook stage and activity visibility](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/U~6ed~NMCAQAZc7_1VOjxA "Configure the visibility of playbook stages and activities that are pending or that a user cannot access.") | The following fields control the visibility of playbook stages and activities. * Hide Inaccessible Activity: Accessibility is determined by user permissions. When enabled, the user cannot see an activity if they do not have permissions to view the data associated with the activity. If all activities in a stage are inaccessible to the user, the stage is also hidden. * Control Activity Display: Pending activities are those activities that have not yet been triggered. Select one of the options in this field to show or hide pending activities. {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_pfd_rbh_vpb} Users with the system administrator role can in the playbook experience configuration record. |
| Configure a playbook to use compact mode | Compact mode moves the playbook from a tab in the Workspace to the contextual side panel. Agents can complete playbook activities in the side panel while viewing other tabs in the record page. Users with the system administrator role can configure a playbook to use compact mode in the playbook component configuration in UI Builder. |
| Preview a playbook | Users with the playbook experience admin role \[playbook_experience.admin\] can preview a playbook in real time within a non-production environment. With this feature, playbook experience administrators can easily see and test different playbook settings. |
| Select a playbook experience | A playbook experience is a defined set of configurations that determines how the system renders a playbook in Workspace. You can use playbook experiences to customize the look and feel of a playbook, map user actions, and override activities. The Playbook Experience plugin (com.playbook_experience) includes the Global Playbook Experience record, which defines a default playbook configuration. The Playbooks for Customer Service Management plugin (com.sn_csm_playbook) includes the following additional playbook experience records: * CSM Configurable Workspace Playbook * CSM Agent Workspace Playbook {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_tzk_4mv_fpb} Users with the system administrator role can select a playbook experience when adding a playbook to a page in UI Builder. Different playbooks for the same record type can use different playbook experiences. For example, if a complaint case uses two playbooks, each playbook can use a different playbook experience. |
| [Set up a record generator for a case type](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/kvbcac83G_KDQx~Do5iAag "Create a record for a case type by using a playbook record generator. With a record generator, the system creates a record as the first step in the playbook.") | Create a record for a case type by using a playbook record generator. With a record generator, the system creates a record as the first step in the playbook. |
| [Configure an optional activity for a playbook](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/5FErKsgFcX4dMk3jkSzGCg "Configure optional playbook activities so that agents and fulfillers can insert activities during a playbook run. For example, a customer may want to schedule an optional activity such as making an appointment to visit a location.") | Configure optional playbook activities so that agents and fulfillers can insert activities during a playbook run. For example, a customer may want to schedule an optional activity such as making an appointment to visit a location. |
[Table 5. Playbook configuration tasks]

{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__table_bhd_hgd_1cc}

## Playbook experiences {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_dpr_qlj_1cc}

Playbook experiences are used to customize the look and feel of a playbook. Settings in a playbook experience control how [UI Builder](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ui-builder-overview&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US) renders a playbook in the CSM workspaces. System administrators can configure settings in the playbook experience record that determine the playbook
stage and activity visibility.  
Within UI Builder, system administrators can configure playbook component settings such as:

* Selecting a playbook experience
* Selecting an activity view
* Enabling compact mode
{#setting-up-csm-playbooks__ul_cqf_wpw_ypb}

## Request apps from the ServiceNow Store {#setting-up-csm-playbooks__section_x11_k2d_r4b}

Visit the [ServiceNow Store](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/home) to view all the available apps, and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the [ServiceNow Store version history release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/store-release-notes/sn-store-release-notes.html).
**Related topics**   

* Interact with Playbook