--- sourceDocument: Australia Governance, Risk, and Compliance sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/governance-risk-compliance Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Governance, Risk, and Compliance ft:clusterId : - grc bundleId : - grc workflow : - Technology --- # Creating action items in events # Creating action items in events {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Australia * * Updated March 12, 2026 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Creating action items in events Starting with BCM release 9.0.x, crisis managers can create ad-hoc action items during open crisis events or exercises without mapping them to event assets or recovery plans. These action items enable real-time task assignments to recovery members or teams and are independent of the event recovery timeline. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Real-time task assignment:** Crisis managers can assign immediate tasks such as verifying safety conditions or reviewing business continuity plans during an event or exercise. * **Assessment support:** Action items can facilitate situation assessments like evaluating severity and identifying affected employees/buildings during crises. * **Action item details and states:** Each action item records fields such as actual start/end dates, total time taken, descriptions, due dates, and assignment information. States include Open, Work in progress (auto-captures start time), Skipped (removes time tracking), and Closed (auto-captures end time). * **Assignment flexibility:** Tasks can be assigned to assignment groups, specific users, or additional assignees. * **Role-based access:** Plan owners and program managers can create, update, and delete action items. Recovery event owners and assigned members can read and update their respective action items. Viewers have read-only access. ## Differences Compared to Event Tasks * Action items are not linked to dependencies, impacted assets, or recovery plans, unlike event tasks. * Action items do not support automation, order calculation, or roll-up time tracking. * Workflow for action items excludes some states present in event tasks (e.g., Pending). * Access and editing rights are similar but tailored for ad-hoc task management. ## Practical Application for ServiceNow Customers This capability allows crisis managers to swiftly create and assign tasks during events or exercises without needing to configure complex dependencies or recovery plans. It supports dynamic incident management by enabling targeted, real-time actions and assessments. Understanding the lifecycle and assignment options ensures effective task tracking and accountability. The integration with Smart Assessment further enhances the ability to conduct thorough event evaluations. Starting with BCM release 9.0.x, crisis managers can create action tasks for recovery members or teams anytime for open crisis events or exercises. Crisis managers can create these tasks on the fly without mapping them to event assets or recovery plans. These action tasks are also not included in the event recovery timeline. ## Action items in real-time {#creating-action-items-in-events__section_an3_1md_zfc} Action items can be used to assign tasks in real-time. For example, a crisis manager can assign an action item to verify that there are no injuries at a specific office location after an exercise. They can also request someone to review the business continuity plan before proceeding to the next steps. You can also use action items to conduct assessments during a crisis event. For example, in the event of a fire, you can assign an action item to assess the situation, determining the severity, and identify affected employees and buildings. You can perform an assessment and assign an action item. ## Fields and states associated with Action items {#creating-action-items-in-events__section_x1t_jdc_zfc} The Action items tab contains these details related to the ad-hoc tasks: * Actual start date * Actual end date * Total time taken * Event (Reference) * Short description * Description * Due date * Task numbers * Type * Task * Assessment {#creating-action-items-in-events__ul_hhj_rdc_zfc} The states associated with action items are listed in the table.{#creating-action-items-in-events__table_c3r_g2c_zfc__entry__2} | State | Description | |-|-| | Open | First state of the action item. | | Work in progress | State of the action item when its work begins. When an action item moves to the Work in progress state, the system auto-captures its start time. | | Skipped | Assigned state of the action item when it is not relevant. When an action item is skipped and considered not relevant, its time fields are removed, resulting in a total time of 0. | | Closed (complete, incomplete) | Final state of the action item task. When an action item has been completed, the system auto-captures its end time. | [Table 1. States associated with action items] {#creating-action-items-in-events__table_c3r_g2c_zfc} BCM managers or planners can update the action items and can re-open the ad-hoc tasks associated with them. You can assign the action item tasks to the groups or team members by using these fields: * Assignment group * Assigned to * Additional assignee list {#creating-action-items-in-events__ul_lbs_x2c_zfc} ## Comparison between event tasks and action items {#creating-action-items-in-events__section_pnw_2fc_zfc} The action items are distinct from the event tasks in crises and events. The table outlines the differences between event tasks and action items. {#creating-action-items-in-events__table_gtp_vfc_zfc__entry__3} | Fields/Criteria | Event task | Action items | |-|-|-| | Details | * Short description * Description * Task numbers * Dependencies * Activated plan * Impacted assets * Task ID {#creating-action-items-in-events__ul_u4h_bgc_zfc} | * Short description * Description * Task numbers * Type {#creating-action-items-in-events__ul_b35_3gc_zfc} | | Assignment | * Assignment group * Assigned to * Recovery team * Additional assignee list {#creating-action-items-in-events__ul_zyx_jgc_zfc} | * Assignment group * Assigned to * Additional assignee list {#creating-action-items-in-events__ul_rbb_ngc_zfc} | | Access | * Plan owner, Program manager can create/update/delete action items. * Event recovery members can read/update action items that they are assigned to. {#creating-action-items-in-events__ul_r4n_4gc_zfc} | * Plan owner, Program manager can create/update/delete action items. * Event recovery members can read/update action items that they are assigned to. {#creating-action-items-in-events__ul_o1l_rgc_zfc} | | Workflow | Pending -\> Open -\> Work in progress -\> Skipped -\> Closed (complete, incomplete, failed) | Open -\> Work in progress -\> Skipped -\> Closed (complete, incomplete) | | Dependencies | Yes | No | | Automation | Yes | No | | Orders | Yes, auto calculated based on dependencies. | No. Order is not calculated for the action item tasks. | | Time calculation | Event tasks time is rolled up to activated plans, and impacted assets | No. Time is not rolled up for the action item tasks. | [Table 2. Comparison between event tasks and action item tasks] {#creating-action-items-in-events__table_gtp_vfc_zfc} ## Roles associated with action items {#creating-action-items-in-events__section_pn5_2hc_zfc} The roles associated with action items are listed in the table. {#creating-action-items-in-events__table_afb_fvj_zfc__entry__2} | Role | Description | |-|-| | Plan owner | Can create, read, update, and delete action items when the plan owner is the event owner. | | Program managers | Can create, read, update, and delete action items for all events. | | Viewers | Can read all action items. | | Recovery event/Plan owner | Can read and update all action items that they are assigned to. | [Table 3. Roles associated with action item tasks] {#creating-action-items-in-events__table_afb_fvj_zfc} * **[Create task and assessment-type action items in events](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/vSct9b8SLfjw_19YkWdqVA)** Use integration of events and Smart Assessment for creating necessary action items related to an event.