--- sourceDocument: Brazil Governance, Risk, and Compliance sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/governance-risk-compliance Release : - brazil ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Brazil Governance, Risk, and Compliance ft:clusterId : - grc bundleId : - grc workflow : - Technology --- # Use template designer # Using the template designer {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Brazil Updated September 10, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI 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 Using the template designer The template designer in the Smart Assessment Engine application enables you to create and update assessment templates, which include instructions, questions, and reference information. These templates facilitate evaluating various situations, aspects, or records. Access to the template designer requires either thetemplate managerorassessment adminroles, and you manage templates via the Assessment Workspace landing page. Show full answer Show less ## Creating and Editing Templates You can create a new assessment template by selecting the **New template** button or update an existing unpublished template from the list. Within the template designer, the **General tab** allows you to edit template details and configure key settings such as assessment duration, which defines the time responders have to complete the assessment. ## Adding Instructions and Questions Instructions clarify expectations for responders, while questions gather targeted information. You can organize questions into named sections and choose from multiple question types, including: * Text question * Drop-down list question * Radio button question * Check box question * Number question * Reference question * Attachment question * Date question Questions can be customized with visibility conditions, default automated responses, and justification requirements to ensure quality answers. ## Incorporating Reference Information You can embed live reference information related to the assessment scope (such as associated incidents, work notes, or domains) to assist assessors during the assessment without needing external resources. ## Managing Template Categories Template categories control access to templates. Categories must be created separately before associating them with templates, which can only be done on unpublished templates. Once assigned, template categories cannot be changed. This ensures proper governance of template availability. ## Search Functionality The designer includes a search feature to find text within sections, subsections, or questions. Search results highlight the first match and replace the content tree display. If no matches are found, a notification is shown. ## Publishing and Triggering Assessments After finalizing, templates must be published to trigger assessments. You can only create assessment templates from published assessments, and published templates can be modified and republished if no active assessments are associated. This workflow ensures assessments are based on current and approved templates. 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/~gxE9bEbzWx5wRS60Xqksw "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/Za~gr7paaWMdbCCDzSQ~Fw "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/El3jHrUCpxGE448bgjP~Yg "Create an assessment template category in the Smart Assessment Engine application so that you can organize and grant access to the assessment templates and question banks 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/ip893buuxcuUUnyDS6JXDg "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/Remag9tPmaDM1D_8W4gB8g "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/o0zp5nqZLip_dkmjfFM5fg "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.").