--- 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 --- # Mapping recovery tasks to phases # Mapping recovery tasks to phases {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Australia * * Updated March 12, 2026 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 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 Mapping recovery tasks to phases Starting with BCM version 9.x.x, BCM administrators can configure active phases for recovery plans and events, enabling BCM managers to map recovery and event tasks to these phases. This structured approach helps organize recovery activities into logical sequences that improve task management, clarity, and flexibility during crisis events and exercises. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Phases as Organizational Tools:** Recovery and event tasks can be tagged to phases such as Preparation, Recovery, and Post-incident review, providing clear visibility into the status and progress of recovery processes. * **Default Active Phases:** The BCM application comes with predefined phases including Preparation, Recovery, Recovery validation, Return to normal, Return to normal validation, and Post-incident review, which administrators can customize to fit their organization's needs. * **Phase Column in UI:** Both recovery and event task tables now include a Phase column in list and form views, enhancing task classification and navigation within the recovery process. * **Flexible Phase Execution:** While tasks generally follow a logical sequence (e.g., all Preparation tasks must be completed before Recovery starts), some phases can run in parallel (e.g., Return to normal validation alongside Post-incident review). The system tags phases but does not enforce strict task dependencies without customization. * **Excluding Tasks/Assets from Time Calculations:** A new checkbox "Do not include in time calculation" on recovery tasks allows exclusion of specific tasks from total time and effort metrics. This can also be applied at the asset level to improve accuracy in tracking critical efforts. * **UI and Table Enhancements:** Updates include a phase navigation module under Business Continuity \> General Administration and addition of the phase reference field in recovery and event task tables, improving usability and security. ## Practical Application for ServiceNow Customers By implementing phases, BCM managers gain enhanced control over recovery workflows, improving coordination and reporting during crisis management. The structured phase approach helps teams understand task sequencing and status at a glance, while flexibility in execution supports complex recovery scenarios. The ability to exclude tasks or assets from time calculations ensures more precise performance metrics, aiding in resource allocation and continuous improvement. ServiceNow BCM customers should configure active phases via the Active Phases module in General Administration and map recovery and event tasks accordingly to fully leverage these capabilities. For detailed configuration steps, consult the relevant setup guides on setting up phases and mapping tasks. Starting with BCM, version 9.x.x, BCM administrators set up active phases for plans and events, enhancing recovery and event task management. BCM managers then map these phases to recovery and event tasks, executing them in a desired, logical sequence. ## Implementing phases in recovery {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__section_yvy_132_xgc} Organizing recovery and event tasks into logical phases provides a structure and context to the recovery activities. The logical grouping of phases helps you to understand the progression of plans, exercises, and crisis events, maintain flexibility in execution, and navigate complex recovery processes effectively. Phases act as indicators of the current status of plans, exercises, or crisis events. They provide clarity while reviewing the recovery and event tasks. You can tag the recovery tasks and event tasks to an appropriate phase such as Preparation, Recovery, Post incident review as part of the recovery process. This mapping ensures structured and efficient handling of recovery tasks and event tasks. ## Default active phases {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__section_qpj_sl1_dhc} Recovery involves a series of phases, which are configured within the BCM core application. The base version of the application includes a set of default active phases, provided as seed data. 1. Preparation 2. Recovery 3. Recovery validation 4. Return to normal 5. Return to normal validation 6. Post-incident review {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__ol_ods_rr1_dhc}These predefined phases serve as a foundation for the recovery process. BCM administrators have the flexibility to configure these phases to meet their organization's unique requirements. Phase column : Recovery and event tasks now include the Phase column in both list and form views, indicating association with specific phases within the recovery process. By default, the phase list view only displays active phases, streamlining the user experience. ## Benefit of mapping phases to plans or events {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__section_yrn_zxt_wgc} By setting up active phases in the BCM application and mapping them to relevant plans or events, BCM managers can efficiently manage their workflows. ## Phases for task classification {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__section_bxs_3xt_wgc} BCM Administrators can configure phases using the Active Phases module, which is accessible through the General administration menu in the Core UI. For more information on setting up the phases, see [Set up the phases](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/37LbSgw4Vq_takk9nqHLvA "Set up phases in the Business Continuity Management application to map them to recovery and event tasks. Once phases are set up, BCM users tag recovery and event tasks with these phases and execute them in order."). ## Execution of the phases {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__section_ap5_pff_xgc} While phases are executed in a sequence, the application doesn't enforce a strict sequential execution. However, certain phase transitions require completion of all tasks in the current phase before proceeding to the next phase. For example, all tasks in the Preparation phase must be completed before moving to the Recovery phase, and all tasks in the Recovery validation phase must be completed before proceeding to the Return to normal phase. * Preparation → Recovery * Recovery validation → Return to normal {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__ul_oxb_sff_xgc} In contrast, phases such as Return to normal validation and Post-incident review can progress in parallel without requiring full task completion. For example, the Recovery and Recovery validation phases, or the Return to normal and Return to normal validation phases, can run in parallel. By default, phases serve as a tagging mechanism, and the application doesn't enforce task dependencies across them. If strict enforcement is needed---for example, ensuring Task 2 in Phase 1 starts only after Task 1 in Phase 2 is completed---a customization is required. ## Flexibility to exclude tasks and assets from time calculation {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__section_nf1_4bb_dhc} In previous releases, the total time calculation included the time required to complete all recovery tasks. The newly introduced Do not include in time calculation field in the recovery task form provides greater flexibility in time calculations, enabling you to exclude specific recovery or event tasks from these calculations. How it works: When creating a recovery task, you can select the Do not include in time calculation check box to exclude specific tasks from time calculations. The actual time taken is then calculated based on the minimum start time and maximum end time of the included tasks. The total effort is the sum of the effort for each task, excluding those with the check box checked. Excluding time calculation at asset level: You can also apply the exclude time calculation functionality at the asset level, allowing you to exclude specific assets from time calculations for individual tasks. This functionality enables accurate tracking of time and effort for relevant assets, helping you focus on critical tasks and assets. By providing this flexibility, the feature enhances the accuracy of time and effort calculations. ## UI changes and table updates {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__section_mcd_rlb_dhc} The user interface (UI) has been updated to include the phase column in both recovery tasks and event tasks. Additionally, a phase navigation module has been added under Business Continuity \> General Administration. Recovery task and event task tables: The Recovery task table (in BCM Planning) and Event task table (in BCM Exercises) have been updated to include the phase column, which is a reference field. These changes enhance the overall functionality and security of the BCM system, providing a robust and controlled environment for managing phases and related tasks. ## Information on setting up and mapping the phases {#mapping-recovery-tasks-to-phases__section_tpp_p4j_jhc} For information on setting up the phases, see [Set up the phases](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/37LbSgw4Vq_takk9nqHLvA "Set up phases in the Business Continuity Management application to map them to recovery and event tasks. Once phases are set up, BCM users tag recovery and event tasks with these phases and execute them in order."). For information and steps on mapping recovery tasks to phases, see [Add recovery tasks](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/CvSDnrh2xXv9gsIDBIz41Q "Add a recovery task as part of the planned recovery strategy. You can add one or more recovery tasks for a loss scenario and those recovery tasks are displayed in the loss scenario itself. Automate the recovery tasks in a plan for a faster recovery."). For information on mapping event tasks to phases, see [Mapping event tasks to phases](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/0EViDVqhOx0DWIyFQx8z_w "Starting with BCM, version 9.x.x, BCM administrators set up active phases in the Core UI for improved event task management. BCM users then map these phases to event tasks and execute them in the set order, ensuring a logical execution sequence. The phases can be deactivated only; they cannot be deleted.").