Dos and Don'ts for Improving Performance in ServiceNow Development

As a ServiceNow developer, optimizing the performance of your applications and scripts is not just a technical requirement but a necessary skill to ensure seamless user experience and efficient resource management. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best practices to enhance your ServiceNow development performance, while also highlighting common pitfalls to avoid.

Do: Prioritize Efficient Script Implementation

Efficient script implementation is crucial in optimizing performance within ServiceNow development. Focus on writing clean, efficient JavaScript. Here are some key practices:

• Use Server-side Scripting Wisely: Utilize server-side scripts, such as Business Rules, Script Includes, and Scheduled Jobs, to handle tasks that do not require immediate feedback on the client side.
• Prefer GlideAjax for Asynchronous Calls: GlideAjax allows you to make server-side calls without refreshing the page, improving user experience.
• Avoid Nested Queries: Nested queries can slow down execution. Optimize queries to ensure they are efficient and necessary.

Don't: Neglect Code Review and Maintenance

Ignoring code review and maintenance can lead to long-term inefficiencies and technical debt. Ensure you:

• Conduct Regular Code Reviews: Peer reviews can catch potential issues early, promoting consistency and quality in code.
• Refactor Regularly: Regularly revisit and refactor your code to remove redundancy and improve efficiency.

Do: Optimize Database Queries

Database interactions are often the bottleneck in performance. Optimize them by:

• Indexing Critical Fields: Proper indexing can significantly reduce the time required for data retrieval.
• Use Query Condition Builder: Utilize the condition builder to construct efficient queries.
• Minimize Use of GlideRecord in Loops: Fetching records within loops can lead to inefficiencies. Retrieve the data first and then process it outside of the loop.

Don't: Overlook Client-side Performance

The client-side performance is just as critical as server-side. Avoid common pitfalls such as:

• Excessive Use of Client Scripts: Limit client scripts to the essentials to prevent slow page loads.
• Heavy Page Load Time: Minimize the elements loading on a single page to enhance responsiveness.

Do: Utilize Out-of-the-box Features

ServiceNow offers numerous built-in features that are optimized for performance:

• Leverage ServiceNow APIs: Using ServiceNow's APIs takes advantage of built-in optimizations and updates.
• Exploit Existing Workflows: Instead of reinventing the wheel, use existing workflows and adapt them to your needs.

Don't: Customize Extensively Without Necessity

While customization can tailor the platform to specific needs, excessive or unnecessary customization can lead to complications:

• Complex Custom Scripts: Complex scripts can create long-term maintenance issues.
• Complicated Integrations: Keep integrations simple to ensure they remain robust and maintainable.

Do: Regularly Monitor System Performance

Actively monitor the system to identify and address performance issues promptly:

• Use Performance Analytics: Utilize analytics tools to gain insights into potential bottlenecks.
• Track Response Times: Regularly examine response times across transactions.

Don't: Ignore Upgrade Readiness

System upgrades can affect performance. Ensure your code is upgrade-ready by:

• Reviewing Customizations: Identify and address customizations that might be incompatible with future updates.
• Testing on Sub-production Instances: Validate upgrades on non-production instances to foresee issues.

Conclusion

Optimizing performance in ServiceNow development requires diligence and a commitment to best practices. By understanding the dos and avoiding the don'ts, as highlighted in this guide, you can significantly improve the performance and reliability of your ServiceNow solutions. Continuous learning and adaptation to new techniques and updates will further enhance your development skills, contributing to the seamless operation of the ServiceNow platform.