Applying time series to result or to contributing indicators
Summarize
Summary of Applying time series to result or to contributing indicators
In ServiceNow Performance Analytics, when using formula indicators, time series aggregation can be applied either to each contributing indicator individually or to the final formula result. This behavior is controlled by theApply time series to resultoption, found in the Other properties tab of a formula indicator record. This setting affects how time series aggregations are processed in Core UI Performance Analytics widgets, Analytics Hub, and Platform Analytics data visualizations.
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Key Features
- Apply time series to result enabled: The formula calculation is performed first on raw data, then the selected time series aggregation (such as a 7-day running average) is applied to the final formula result.
- Apply time series to result disabled: The time series aggregation is applied separately to each contributing indicator before the formula calculation is executed.
- The default time series setting on an indicator applies only in Analytics Hub and KPI Details views, and requires selecting a real aggregate for effect. If no aggregation is selected, or if the time series is just the indicator frequency (daily, weekly, etc.), this option does not apply.
- Users can compare outcomes by plotting formula indicators with both settings in a time series widget to understand differences in results.
Practical Implications for ServiceNow Customers
Choosing whether to apply time series aggregation to the formula result or to the contributing indicators can significantly change the calculated values. For example, when calculating "% of new P1 incidents," applying a 7-day running average post-formula yields the average of daily percentages, while applying it to each indicator first results in a percentage calculated from the 7-day sums.
Neither approach is incorrect; the choice depends on the specific measurement goal and how you want to analyze trends over time. Testing both configurations in widgets helps determine which aligns best with your reporting needs.
Related Capabilities
- Preventing contributing indicators from following unwanted breakdowns
- Using breakdown matrices within formula indicators
- Indexing multiple indicators within a formula
- Handling scorestart/end changes due to user time zones
- Applying various time series aggregations
For a formula indicator, a time series aggregation can apply either to each indicator in the formula individually or to the formula result.
- The default time series applies only on the Analytics Hub and KPI Details. If you do not select a time series aggregation on a widget or data visualization, the default time series does not apply.
- For the setting to take effect on the Analytics Hub or KPI Details, you must choose a real aggregate, if the indicator does not have a default time series set. If the time series is just the indicator frequency (daily, weekly, and so on), theApply time series to result setting does not apply.
When Apply time series to result is checked, first the formula is evaluated and then the selected time series is applied to the final result. When Apply time series to result is not checked, each contributing indicator is evaluated and the default time series is applied to it. Then the formula is evaluated. The results between the two settings can differ significantly. Neither setting is wrong, but you have to think carefully about what you are measuring before making your choice.
Applying a time series to result compared to applying it to contributing indicators
Consider the formula indicator "% of new P1 incidents". Every day this indicator calculates the percentage of new incidents that are Priority 1 - Critical:
You decide that you want the result to display a 7-day running average by default on the Analytics Hub. In the
Other tab of the indicator record, you select the 7d running AVG default
time series. You apply the time series to the result.
In the resulting calculation, the formula is resolved for each day. Then the average of the result is taken for that day and the previous six days:
You aren't sure if you want the 7-day average of the final result or the average 7-day average of each indicator. So, you copy the previous formula indicator, with the same time series, but with Apply time series to
result unchecked. Now, the time series is applied to the Number of new incidents > Priority = 1 - Critical and Number of new incidents contributing indicators separately before
the formula is resolved:
You plot both formula indicators in a time series widget to see the difference in outcome
between the two settings. Because the default time series only applies on the Analytics Hub, you also add the 7d
running AVG time series to the widget: