Checklist Task from Template activity

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of Checklist Task from Template activity

    The Checklist Task from Template activity in ServiceNow Playbooks prompts agents to complete all items in a predefined task checklist. It requires a Checklist Template as a key input, which must be created beforehand along with a checklist template specific to the target task table. This activity is designed to streamline task management by ensuring that all checklist items are addressed during a playbook run.

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    Roles and Availability

    This activity is available as a common activity within Playbooks and can be added by users with the admin, playbook.admin, or pdauthor roles.

    Configuration and Inputs

    When configuring this activity, you set properties common to all Playbook activities, including:

    • Label: Title displayed on the activity and playbook card.
    • Description: Information about the activity’s purpose or outcome.
    • Run condition: Conditions that control when the activity runs, which can be based on prior activity data.
    • Start Rule: Defines when the activity or its stage starts running, such as at playbook start, after specific stages or activities, with optional delays.

    Essential inputs specific to this activity include:

    • Checklist Template: Reference to the checklist template to be used, requiring prior creation of the checklist and its template.
    • Task: Reference to the specific task record to associate with the checklist. If omitted, a private task is created for each run.
    • Show SLA: Option to display SLA countdown details for the task.
    • Can Skip: Allows agents to skip the checklist and continue through the playbook.
    • Skip Assignment Group and Skip Assigned To: Define who can skip the activity when skipping is enabled, controlling permissions at group or user level.

    Outputs

    The activity outputs a reference to the Checklist Task record, which updates upon completion of the activity. This output can be used as input for subsequent activities within the playbook, enabling seamless workflow progression.

    Practical Use for ServiceNow Customers

    By integrating this activity into your playbooks, you can enforce completion of detailed checklists tied to specific tasks, improving task tracking and agent accountability. Configurable start rules and skip options provide flexibility to tailor workflows to your organization’s operational needs. Associating checklists directly with tasks ensures visibility and consistency in task execution, while SLA display helps maintain timely resolutions.

    Prompt an agent to complete all items in a task checklist.

    The key input for this activity is the Checklist Template field under the Inputs section. Before you can provide this input, you must:

    Roles and availability

    This activity is available as a common activity. Users with the admin, playbook.admin, or pd_author can add this activity to a playbook.

    Common properties

    These properties are common to all to activities in Playbooks.

    Open the activity properties panel and configure your activity to add values for the following inputs. If the input value varies, use the pill-picker to show where to get the value. To learn more about the pill-picker, see Dot-walking examples.
    Input Type Description
    Label String Title to display as activity and playbook card.
    Description String Information to display about activity usage or outcome.
    Run condition Condition Builder Conditions that must be met to run an activity or stage. You can use data from prior activities to build conditions.
    Note:
    Show additional options to see this field.
    Start Rule Choice Under Schedule > Start Rule, select a start rule for when your stage should start running:
    • When process starts: Your stage starts running as soon as the playbook starts.
    • After specific stages: Your stage starts running after specified stage(s) have finished running.
    Under Schedule > Start Rule, select a start rule for when your activity should start running:
    • When stage starts: Your activity starts running as soon as its stage starts running. Your stage starts running when your playbook is triggered.
    • After specific activities: Your activity starts running after specified activities have finished running.
    Start with delay True/False Option to wait for a duration of time before running an activity or stage. When enabled, this input displays the Start with delay input properties.
    Note:
    Show additional options to see this field.

    Inputs

    After configuring the required inputs for your activity, you can also choose to configure additional inputs. In the side panel, select Show additional options to display these advanced inputs. For more information, see Activity experience.
    Input Type Description
    Skip Assignment Group Reference.Group [sys_user_group] Group that is allowed to skip this activity when Can Skip is enabled.
    Note:
    If Can Skip is enabled, and you do not specify a Skip Assignment Groupor Skip Assigned To, all users will be able to skip this activity.
    Skip Assigned To Reference.User [sys_user] User that is allowed to skip this activity when Can Skip is enabled.
    Note:
    If Can Skip is enabled, and you do not specify a Skip Assignment Groupor Skip Assigned To, all users will be able to skip this activity.
    Checklist Template Reference.Checklist Template [checklist_template] Template for the checklist to create for each run. Before you can provide this input, you must:
    Task Reference.Task [task]

    Reference a record to associate with the checklist activity. The checklist is also displayed in the associated task record.

    Note:
    When a specific task record is associated with the checklist, the state of the checklist does not change if you run the playbook again. When you don't provide a specific task record, a new private task record is created for each run.

    Checklist in a task record
    Show SLA True/False Option to show SLA countdown details for the task.
    Note:
    Show additional options to see this field.
    Can Skip True/False Option to allow agents to skip the checklist and to continue through the playbook.

    Additional properties

    Move stuff here.

    Outputs

    These outputs can provide data to other activities in your playbook. You can access this data as activity inputs when you configure your activity:
    Output Type Description
    Checklist Task Reference.Task [task] Task record that updates when this activity completes.

    UI Layouts

    Set properties for how the activity renders during a playbook run.