What should be done to reuse a pattern step in ServiceNow?

To reuse a pattern step in ServiceNow, creating a shared library is the most effective approach. A shared library allows multiple patterns to access and utilize the same components or steps, promoting consistency and efficiency in pattern creation and management. This reduces duplicate efforts and ensures that any updates to a shared step can automatically reflect across all patterns that utilize it.

By implementing a shared library, you can centralize commonly used steps or functions, making maintenance and updates easier. Any changes made within the shared library will instantly propagate to all patterns using that shared resource, enhancing the overall integrity of your patterns.

In contrast, if you create a new pattern, you generate a separate instance that may not leverage the existing knowledge or components effectively. Editing an existing pattern modifies it for one specific use rather than promoting reuse across various patterns. Documenting the pattern step, while valuable for knowledge transfer and clarity, does not inherently provide a mechanism for reusing that particular step in other patterns. Thus, the establishment of a shared library is essential for maximizing the reuse of pattern steps within ServiceNow.