---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/xanadu/servicenow-platform

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities

ft:clusterId :

    - platcap

bundleId :

    - platcap

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Managing KCS article states

# Managing KCS article states {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Manage the readiness of KCS articles and comply with regulated information using KCS
article states.

For information about the KCS article states, see [KCS v6 Practices Guide](https://library.serviceinnovation.org/KCS/KCS_v6/KCS_v6_Practices_Guide).

For information about all the KCS roles, see [Knowledge Management roles](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/xIayRXPTTBlD3h1U8ktqKg#r_KnowledgeRoles "Certain roles are required to use Knowledge Management functionality.").

## Activation information {#managing-kcs-article-states__section_f5z_dcv_2lb}

Activate the Knowledge Management KCS Capabilities plugin (com.snc.knowledge_kcs_capabilities) to enable the use of KCS roles (kcs_contributor, kcs_publisher, and kcs_candidate) and metadata fields for the KCS article state (governance and confidence). For more information, see [Activate Knowledge Management KCS Capabilities](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/TuzOOvnaEv5tY5b8n2Ps6Q "You can activate the Knowledge Management KCS Capabilities plugin (com.snc.knowledge_kcs_capabilities) to enable the use of certain KCS roles and KCS article states.").  
Note:  
If you are not an admin and has either kcs_contributor or kcs_candidate roles, you cannot retire an article.

## Article confidence {#managing-kcs-article-states__section_rzt_xt5_2lb}

The confidence state of an article indicates where the article is in its life cycle. Only
users with the knowledge_coach, knowledge_admin, kcs_contributor or kcs_publisher role can
modify the value of the Confidence field.

For articles existing before the Knowledge Management KCS Capabilities plugin
(com.snc.knowledge_kcs_capabilities) was activated, the Confidence
field is automatically set to None.  
If an article is created after the Knowledge Management KCS Capabilities plugin (com.snc.knowledge_kcs_capabilities) is activated, the Confidence field is automatically set based on the workflow state of the article.{#managing-kcs-article-states__table_s5s_ghn_3lb__entry__2}

| Workflow state | Confidence field value |
|-|-|
| Draft, Review, or Scheduled for publish | Work in Progress |
| Published | * Validated: For articles published by users with the knowledge_coach, kcs_contributor, or kcs_publisher role. * Not Validated: For articles published by users with a role other than knowledge_coach, kcs_contributor, or kcs_publisher. {#managing-kcs-article-states__ul_xpw_4hn_3lb} |
| Pending retirement or Outdated | Same as in the Published workflow state. |
| Retired | Archived |
[Table 1. Article workflow states and confidence values]

{#managing-kcs-article-states__table_s5s_ghn_3lb}

## Article governance {#managing-kcs-article-states__section_sql_tbv_2lb}

The governance state of an article indicates which users can manage articles specific to a
regulatory requirement, either experience based or compliance based. Users with contribute
access to a knowledge article can modify the value of the Governance
field.
**Related tasks**   

* [Create a knowledge article from an incident in ITSM Agent Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Mg8my61xcpFqHkhZX6KBQw "Knowledge contributors can create and edit knowledge articles within a knowledge base to share information across your organization.")
* [Create a knowledge article in Agent Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/QCKEowxppKhgPT6QUze~Cw "Create a knowledge article in Agent Workspace to share information across your organization.")