Generate a summary for Architectural Decision Records (ADRs)

  • Release version: Zurich
  • 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 ServiceNow Otto® in the Enterprise Architecture Workspace. Use ServiceNow Otto® to generate summaries of large ADR artifacts and understand architectural decisions faster.

    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 .
    Note:
    Important:
    This generative AI skill is turned on by default. The skill will be automatically available to appropriate role users for the application. For more information, see Now Assist skills, agents, and agentic workflows on by default.
    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.

    The default AI model provider for this skill is Azure OpenAI.

    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 quickly generates a summary of the ADR document content. This saves time when reviewing large documents.

    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 Ask Otto and then select Summarize.
      Doc summarization page
    7. In the Tell Otto to box press enter or select the send button.
    8. Select Done to complete the summarization.
      You can also copy the summarized text.