Become a Top-Tier ServiceNow Developer With These 10 Secrets

Summary

This video offers valuable insights for ServiceNow developers looking to elevate their skills and stand out in a competitive job market. Allen Andreas, a Certified Master Architect, shares 10 essential secrets that go beyond the CAD certification, including mastering integrations, script includes, custom portal widgets, and defensive programming. He emphasizes the importance of strategic decision-making, effective documentation, and thorough testing. With a focus on both technical proficiency and strategic foresight, these tips are designed to help developers succeed in an evolving landscape shaped by AI and increasing expectations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Developers spend only 24% of their time coding—become well-rounded by developing other essential skills like strategic insight and platform-savvy knowledge.
• 😀 The Certified Application Developer (CAD) certification is crucial for ServiceNow developers, but working with custom apps and integrations is increasingly common.
• 😀 Integrations are vital for both junior and senior developers. Get hands-on experience, especially with REST APIs and integration tools like Flow Designer.
• 😀 Mastering script includes for reusable code can enhance performance and efficiency, especially when building complex server-side logic.
• 😀 Custom portal widgets are a valuable skill for developers. Learning web development languages like HTML, CSS, and AngularJS will set you apart.
• 😀 Defensive programming strengthens your code by proactively addressing issues like null values and providing error handling mechanisms.
• 😀 Strategic decision-making is key—always evaluate if a native platform feature can fulfill your needs before opting for custom development to avoid technical debt.
• 😀 Be meticulous with update sets and cross-scope issues to ensure smooth deployments. Handle preview errors and know how to back out an update set if necessary.
• 😀 Upgrade management requires careful review of skipped changes. Prioritize these and understand the resolution options to avoid performance and functionality issues.
• 😀 Strong documentation practices are crucial—clear in-code comments and comprehensive external documentation ensure your work is understandable and maintainable by others.

Q & A

What is the most important certification for ServiceNow developers?

The Certified Application Developer (CAD) certification is the most important for ServiceNow developers. It’s commonly required for most job postings and validates a developer’s ability to create custom applications on the platform.

How can ServiceNow developers differentiate themselves from others in the industry?

Top-tier developers differentiate themselves by mastering not just coding, but also strategic development skills. This includes understanding when to customize applications, managing integrations, using best practices for scripting, and mastering platform features such as custom widgets and update set management.

What is the significance of integrations for ServiceNow developers?

Integrations are critical for ServiceNow developers as they enable the platform to connect with third-party systems. Familiarizing oneself with both inbound and outbound REST API integrations, as well as integration tools like Flow Designer, enhances a developer’s skill set and value.

Why are Script Includes important for developers working with ServiceNow?

Script Includes are important because they provide reusable code that is more efficient than business rules. They improve performance by loading only when needed, and mastering them allows developers to handle complex server-side logic effectively.

What is defensive programming and why is it important in ServiceNow development?

Defensive programming involves writing code that anticipates and handles potential issues, such as null values, invalid inputs, or unexpected behavior. It’s important because it improves the robustness and reliability of the code, preventing errors that could affect the platform’s performance.

What does strategic decision-making entail for ServiceNow developers?

Strategic decision-making involves assessing whether a native feature of ServiceNow can meet the needs of the business instead of custom solutions. It’s important to avoid unnecessary technical debt by researching platform capabilities before diving into customization.

How can developers effectively manage update sets in ServiceNow?

To effectively manage update sets, developers should ensure they understand cross-scope issues, avoid merging sets from different scopes, and handle preview errors appropriately. Proper update set management helps prevent deployment and system upgrade issues.

Why is understanding the upgrade process essential for ServiceNow developers?

Understanding the upgrade process is essential because developers often need to resolve skipped changes during system upgrades. By reviewing skipped changes and selecting the appropriate resolution, developers can ensure that their customizations are not impacted and system performance remains optimal.

What role does documentation play in ServiceNow development?

Documentation plays a crucial role in ServiceNow development by ensuring that code, architecture, and design decisions are clearly explained. Effective documentation makes it easier for team members to understand and maintain code, which improves collaboration and the overall success of the project.

How should ServiceNow developers approach testing?

ServiceNow developers should approach testing strategically by incorporating various testing types such as unit testing, smoke testing, and regression testing. This ensures that their code works as expected and does not disrupt existing functionality, which is key to maintaining system stability.