Task plan templates states and actions

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Task Plan Templates States and Actions

    A task plan template can exist in two primary states: Draft and Published. Each state has specific user actions that can be performed, along with requirements for user roles.

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    Key Features

    Draft State

    When a task plan template is first created, it is in the Draft state. Actions available in this state include:

    • Edit: Modify the template (requires sntaskplan.creator role).
    • Clone: Create a copy of the template and its components (requires sntaskplan.creator role; only one template can be cloned at a time).
    • Delete: Remove the template (requires sntaskplan.delete role; only applicable to Draft state templates).
    • Publish: Move the template to Published state (requires sntaskplantemplate.writer role; confirmation required).

    Published State

    A template is in the Published state once it is ready for application. Actions available include:

    • Clone: Similar to Draft state, allows creation of a copy (requires sntaskplan.creator role; only one template can be cloned at a time).
    • Deactivate: Disable the template for use (requires sntaskplantemplate.writer role; confirmation required).

    Key Outcomes

    Understanding the states and actions of task plan templates helps users efficiently manage and deploy templates within ServiceNow, ensuring they can perform necessary modifications, cloning, and publishing actions based on their role permissions.

    A task plan template can be in one of the following states: Draft or Published. It can also be active or inactive. Each state includes an available set of user actions.

    Draft state

    A task plan template is in the Draft state when it is first created.

    When a task plan template is active and in the Draft state, the following actions are available.

    Table 1. Available user actions for task plan templates in the Draft state
    Action Description
    Edit Select a task plan template in the list and then select Edit to open the task plan template record and make changes.

    Editing a task plan template requires the sn_task_plan.creator role.
    Clone Select a task plan template in the list and then select Clone to create a copy of the template, the template items and attachments, and the template item conditions.

    Cloning a task plan template maintains the template item hierarchy along with the attachments and conditions. The cloned task plan template is created in the Draft state and is active.

    Cloning a task plan template requires the sn_task_plan.creator role.
    Note:
    You can clone one task plan template at a time. If you select more than one task plan template in the list, the Clone action is not available.
    Delete Select one or more task plan templates in the list and then select Delete. Only task plan templates in the Draft state can be deleted.

    Deleting a task plan template requires the sn_task_plan.delete role.

    Note:
    The system displays a confirmation message when deleting a template. When the user confirms the action, the system deletes the task plan template.
    Publish Selecting Publish moves an active task plan template from the Draft state to Published. When a task plan template is in the Published state, the fields on the Task Plan Template form are read-only.
    Publishing a task plan requires the sn_task_plan_template.writer role.
    Note:
    The system displays a confirmation message when publishing a task plan template. When the user confirms the action, the system publishes the task plan template.

    Published state

    A task plan template is in the Published state when it is ready to be applied and a user with the writer role has published it.

    When a task plan template is active and is in the Published state, the following actions are available.

    Table 2. Available user actions for task plan templates in the Published state
    Action Description
    Clone Select the task plan template in the list and then select Clone to create a copy of the template, the template items and attachments, and the template item conditions.

    Cloning a task plan template maintains the template item hierarchy along with the attachments and conditions. The cloned task plan template is created in the Draft state and is active.

    Cloning a task plan template requires the sn_task_plan.creator role.
    Note:
    You can clone one task plan template at a time. If you select more than one task plan template in the list, the Clone action is not available.
    Deactivate Select the task plan template in the list and then select Deactivate to disable the Active field on the Task Plan Template form.
    Deactivating a task plan template requires the sn_task_plan_template.writer role.
    Note:
    The system displays a confirmation message before deactivating a task plan template. When the user confirms the action, the system disables the Active field on the task plan template.