Agile development is a methodology built around iteration, collaboration, and adaptability. Instead of long development cycles that delay feedback and risk misalignment, agile teams work in short sprints to deliver incremental improvements.
The result: faster validation, ongoing prioritization, and stronger alignment between product decisions and real user needs.
In the context of ServiceNow, agile development helps teams deliver high-impact features and automations across IT, HR, and other business functions—without getting bogged down by complexity or rigid processes. When applied well, agile brings structure to innovation, allowing organizations to continuously improve how work gets done on the platform.
What is agile development in ServiceNow?
Agile development in ServiceNow applies iterative development principles directly within the platform. This allows teams to continuously deliver and refine workflows, automations, and applications. Unlike traditional dev environments where agile is layered on through third-party tools, ServiceNow offers built-in support for agile planning and execution. This support is integrated directly into the broader ecosystem of service delivery and operations.
With such tight integration, development efforts stay aligned with the needs of IT, HR, customer service, and other business units that benefit from what ServiceNow has to offer. The result is reduced friction and sped up delivery.
ServiceNow is deeply invested in supporting agile development, with a full suite of tools built to manage everything from sprint planning to program-level coordination. These tools—combined with the use of ServiceNow development best practices—make it easier for organizations to adopt agile across technical and business teams.
Some of the most prominent agile tools in ServiceNow include:
Agile Development – Supports Scrum-based team workflows, including stories, sprints, and tasks.
SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) – Enables agile at scale, with features for managing multiple agile release trains (ARTs), epics, and program increments.
Scrum Programs – Designed for teams working with multiple backlogs, sprints, and team members under a unified program.
Backlog Management – Centralizes story and task management, with prioritization and grooming tools built in.
Planning Boards – Visual tools for scrum planning, sprint planning, backlog refinement, and progress tracking.
Time Cards and Effort Tracking – Supports velocity tracking and performance analysis.
Integration with DevOps and CI/CD pipelines – Helps bridge the gap between agile planning and deployment automation.
How do the agile development variants play into this process?
ServiceNow’s support for agile development has evolved significantly, reflecting the growing need for organizations to scale agile across teams and departments. Earlier versions of the platform included Agile 1.0—a more limited framework designed around core Scrum concepts like sprints, backlogs, and user stories. While useful for individual teams, Agile 1.0 lacked the structure required to manage cross-functional collaboration or coordinate work across multiple teams.
To better meet the demands of enterprise development, ServiceNow introduced Agile 2.0. This modern approach includes robust support for the Scaled Agile Framework, allowing organizations to structure work at the program and portfolio levels. With Agile 2.0, teams can manage epics, capabilities, and program increments (PIs), run coordinated planning cycles, and track dependencies across Agile Release Trains (ARTs).
The shift from Agile 1.0 to 2.0 illustrates ServiceNow’s broader commitment to the agile process. Rather than treating agile as a standalone capability, the platform continues to deepen its integration with tools for planning, DevOps, and service delivery, making agile development a core part of how work gets done on ServiceNow.
Key benefits of agile development in ServiceNow
There’s more than just faster delivery when working with agile development in ServiceNow. When teams use the platform’s native agile tools, they gain visibility, alignment, and structure that supports sustainable growth across departments.
Here’s how organizations benefit when they manage agile development directly inside ServiceNow.
Faster delivery, fewer delays
ServiceNow accelerates how teams plan, build, and ship by removing friction at every step. Agile workflows are baked into the platform, and automation handles the tedious parts—so development teams can stay focused on delivery.
Faster delivery of working features – Sprint-based execution allows teams to release smaller increments more frequently, reducing long timelines and unlocking value sooner.
Automated task assignment and streamlined workflows – ServiceNow automatically routes work to the right individual or team based on rules and capacity, minimizing delays and confusion.
Reduced distractions and smoother task management – With planning, execution, and reporting in one platform, teams don’t waste time switching tools or re-entering data.
Greater clarity and collaboration
Agile teams need transparency and consistent communication to stay aligned. ServiceNow centralizes everything in one place—from backlog items to sprint metrics—so product owners, developers, and stakeholders can stay on the same page.
Centralized workspace for real-time collaboration – Developers, product managers, and stakeholders share a single environment to plan, update, and review work in real time.
Improved project visibility with real-time tracking – Agile dashboards and analytics show progress across stories, tasks, and sprints—making it easy to track velocity, identify blockers, and adapt quickly.
Stronger prioritization and backlog control – Built-in backlog tools help teams evaluate, refine, and sequence work based on real business impact.
Built for scale and governance
ServiceNow’s agile tools go beyond team-level execution. They support complex environments with multiple teams, layered priorities, and strict governance requirements, all without sacrificing agility.
Scalable agile frameworks for large organizations – With Agile 2.0 and SAFe capabilities, teams can manage epics, program increments (PIs), and dependencies across ARTs.
Cross-functional alignment through shared context – Development, operations, and business teams work from the same data and systems, reducing silos and misalignment.
Integration-ready for legacy and third-party systems – Teams can build and deliver cross-platform functionality without needing to leave ServiceNow or disrupt existing architecture.
Built-in governance and audit trails – Role-based access controls, traceable updates, and audit logs help agile teams meet regulatory requirements without slowing down delivery.
How the ServiceNow agile development process supports different business functions
Agile development in ServiceNow benefits more than just IT. ServiceNow agile development roles creates a framework for continuous improvement across departments.
When each team has the ability to iterate quickly, prioritize effectively, and respond to user needs in real time, the impact of ServiceNow multiplies across the business.
Here’s how agile supports the most critical business functions inside the platform.
Agile impact on IT service management (ITSM)
Agile development improves how IT teams build and refine service desk capabilities. Whether it's enhancing self-service portals, streamlining ticket routing, or introducing new knowledge base features, agile sprints keep delivery cycles short and responsive. Teams can gather feedback from technicians and end users alike, apply changes quickly, and prioritize fixes or enhancements based on real operational data.
How HR service delivery benefits from agile cycles
HR teams often manage high-volume, process-heavy workflows—from onboarding and role changes to offboarding and internal service requests. Agile development enables HR to test, improve, and deploy better forms, task sequences, and automations without waiting for quarterly releases. Feedback loops between employees and HR developers help shape better experiences while maintaining compliance.
Supporting customer service innovation with agile
Customer service teams need flexible tools to solve issues efficiently and maintain a positive experience. Agile development makes it easier to test interface changes, refine case workflows, and improve response automation based on actual support team needs.
Agile also helps customer service developers respond to spikes in volume or new service requirements without months-long lead times. This can be a game changer for satisfying your customers and reducing churn.
Enhancing security operations with continuous delivery
Security teams operate in fast-moving environments where new threats, vulnerabilities, and compliance mandates emerge constantly. Agile development in ServiceNow allows security operations teams to update response playbooks, automate workflows, and improve dashboards iteratively. This reduces response times and helps prioritize actions based on real-time risk and business impact.
Building business applications the agile way
ServiceNow’s App Engine empowers teams to develop custom applications that can often be created with low-code tools. Agile development ensures these apps evolve based on actual usage. Teams can rapidly prototype new features, release updates based on stakeholder feedback, and maintain clean backlogs across multiple applications.
This process keeps internal tools aligned with business needs, and means your getting the most out of the tools you are paying for.
Improving DevOps velocity and visibility
For DevOps and engineering teams working inside or alongside ServiceNow, agile development supports stronger backlog alignment, continuous integration, and smoother release cycles. By integrating agile boards with pipelines and change management, DevOps teams gain the visibility they need without duplicating effort across systems. Agile also helps resolve blockers faster through better collaboration with platform developers and IT operations.
Keeping risk and compliance agile—and aligned
Governance, risk, and compliance functions often deal with shifting policies, audits, and cross-functional controls. Agile development enables teams to respond quickly by updating assessments, workflows, or automated controls in smaller increments.
Rather than waiting for semi-annual policy updates, teams can improve oversight capabilities continuously while maintaining strong auditability.
The ServiceNow agile development approach
Agile development in ServiceNow is most effective when supported by clear priorities, structured workflows, and consistent delivery rhythms. While the platform offers powerful tools for backlog management, sprint planning, and team coordination, the success of an agile implementation depends on how these tools are put into practice.
How agile development is structured inside ServiceNow
ServiceNow’s native agile capabilities include Planning Boards, backlog hierarchies, sprint tracking, and team roles aligned with agile frameworks. Teams can organize their work using user stories, tasks, and epics—and scale that work with features like program increments and Agile Release Trains (ARTs).
These tools are tightly integrated into the rest of the platform, allowing development teams to work closely with IT, HR, or operations stakeholders. For example, a feature request in ITSM or HRSD can become a user story in the product backlog. This allows for continuous alignment between user needs and development priorities.
ServiceNow makes it possible to run agile at scale, but the presence of tools alone doesn’t create meaningful outcomes. Success comes from how work is defined, prioritized, tested, and delivered.
A structured approach to agile execution
One approach that consistently works—especially for fast-moving product teams or organizations with complex workflows—starts with structure. It’s not about following a rigid methodology; it’s about building an agile rhythm that fits the way your team works and adapts to how your business evolves.
Here’s how that looks in practice:
Start with a discovery sprint - Before any development begins, the team works through strategy, goals, and backlog cleanup. This includes stakeholder interviews, architecture reviews, and early story mapping to make sure development starts in the right direction.
Use dual-track agile - Product discovery and development run in parallel. While one track focuses on validating features and gathering feedback, the other keeps delivery moving forward. This avoids delays and reduces the risk of building features that aren’t actually needed.
Keep sprint scopes focused - Every sprint is designed to ship something usable—whether it’s a tested workflow, a working automation, or a piece of the UI. Smaller, testable chunks lead to better reviews and faster learning.
Bring in a dedicated squad - Agile only works when the team is stable. That’s why dedicated developers, a technical product manager, and a UX designer are kept consistent throughout the engagement. It allows for tighter handoffs, faster cycles, and better understanding of the business over time.
Establish delivery rhythms that stick - Sprint reviews, standups, and backlog grooming aren’t added for ceremony—they’re tools to maintain momentum. The goal is to create a cadence your team can sustain without friction.
This is the framework we follow at DevSquad. It’s flexible, grounded in real-world use, and built for teams who want clarity, not process for the sake of process. The result is a development rhythm that supports ongoing delivery—without ever losing sight of impact.
Agile development in ServiceNow works best when it’s aligned with real business needs, not just technical capacity. A strong foundation up front leads to cleaner sprints, better prioritization, and less rework downstream.
Starting vs transitioning to ServiceNow agile development
If you didn’t start with agile, you’re not behind—you’re right where a lot of teams find themselves.
Many organizations launch ServiceNow with big, detailed implementation plans. But those plans can become outdated fast as priorities shift or feedback starts coming in. If your team is constantly reacting instead of improving, that’s a sign it might be time for a new approach.
That’s where agile comes in—not as a reset, but as a smarter way to move forward.
Don’t let sunk cost trap you in a static system
It's easy to stick with a plan just because you’ve already spent time or money on it. But past effort shouldn’t lock you into a system that no longer works. That’s the sunk cost fallacy—and it’s surprisingly common in software development.
The work you’ve already done doesn’t go to waste when you transition to agile. In fact, it becomes the foundation for a more flexible, responsive approach. Agile gives you the structure to start improving in smaller, faster cycles without scrapping everything that came before.
Agile can be adopted at any stage
You don’t need to pause or rebuild your system to start using agile. Many teams begin by making simple but powerful changes:
Turning large feature sets into clean, prioritized stories
Running shorter sprints with clear goals and reviews
Introducing planning boards or standups for more visibility
These adjustments add up quickly. They help teams deliver more value and reduce the chaos that comes from operating without a defined cadence.
It’s never too late to work smarter
Adopting agile isn’t about fixing but adapting. It’s about evolving how you build, collaborate, and respond. If your backlog is growing, priorities are unclear, or timelines always seem out of sync, it’s not too late to change course.
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective, a more structured rhythm, and a willingness to try a different approach. That’s what agile offers—and ServiceNow supports it more deeply than ever.
How DevSquad can get your ServiceNow agile development moving
Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to pivot from an existing implementation, DevSquad can help you move forward with confidence. Our agile experts don’t just build inside ServiceNow—we help teams create a repeatable process that delivers consistent value, sprint after sprint.
We’ll guide you through the right approach for your goals, clean up what’s not working, and help you stand up a smarter development cycle. This will ultimately reduce your servicenow agile development cost.
And when the system’s in place, we don’t just walk away. If you prefer to take things in-house, we’ll train your team to keep your agile momentum going long after handoff. You get a clean build, a clear process, and a team that knows how to keep delivering.
Ready to improve your internal processes? Learn more about our ServiceNow development services.
