---
sourceDocument: Zurich Strategic Portfolio Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/it-business-management

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich Strategic Portfolio Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itbm

bundleId :

    - itbm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Playbooks in Project Workspace

# Playbooks in Project Workspace {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Zurich
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Organize and guide project teams with Playbooks to maintain consistency, streamline projects, and keep work on
track.

## Playbooks overview {#playbooks-in-pw__section_hls_cbn_xgc}

A Playbook provides a guided framework that helps you follow a process step by step. It shows what to do, when to do it, and where to find the tools or information required to complete each task.

Playbooks provide a structured way to manage work by guiding teams through predefined steps. You can apply a playbook to processes such as managing a project, resolving an issue, launching a product, onboarding new employees, or
define key steps of a process. For more information on playbooks, see [Workflow studio playbooks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=process-automation-designer&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US).

## Playbook benefits {#playbooks-in-pw__section_jqf_2bn_xgc}

Use playbooks in Project Workspace to guide project teams through standard project stages and activities and ensure consistency across all projects. For example:

* Set up a new project using predefined stages and action items.
* Provide self-educating guidance for first-time users.
* Verify key steps such as defining objectives, assigning tasks, and tracking deliverables are completed on time.
* Support processes that require stage gating and control over each step.
* Combine with Flow Designer to set up different business logic for each playbook flow.
{#playbooks-in-pw__ul_gw5_gbn_xgc}

## Types of Playbooks {#playbooks-in-pw__section_kty_12n_xgc}

* Project default
* Stage-gate default
{#playbooks-in-pw__ul_wqq_zwp_ygc}

Project default playbook is a free-form playbook where all stages and tasks are visible and accessible to the project manager. The project manager can navigate to any stage or task at any time. It serves as a standard framework
playbook for managing project activities.

In a Stage-gate playbook, the stages and tasks must be
completed in a linear order. Each stage must be finished before moving to the next one. The stages are visible only when all activities in the previous stage are completed or skipped. After completing a stage, project managers can still
return to previous stages if needed. This playbook is commonly used in research and development projects.
**Related concepts**   

* [Playbooks configuration](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/WUziiD9me8KSYci42~aR0A "Configure playbooks to organize project workflows, maintain consistency, and keep projects on track.")  
**Related tasks**   

* [Use Playbooks in Project Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/l8x9er4y1WAi03jvno2Bcg "Plan your project stages and assign specific actions to each stage using Playbooks.")  
**Related topics**   

*