Regarding REQ & RITM

ShivaPrasaG9386
Giga Contributor

Why do we use both request and Request_item in ServiceNow for requesting an item? It's very hard to maintain and track. Instead, can we do with one ??

2 REPLIES 2

Yaramala
Tera Expert

Hello @ShivaPrasaG9386 

Hi,

In ServiceNow, Request and Requested Item are separate by design.

A Request is the overall order or cart submitted by the user. A Requested Item is the individual catalog item inside that request.

Example:

If a user orders a laptop, mouse, and software access in one submission:

REQ = Overall request/order
RITM 1 = Laptop request
RITM 2 = Mouse request
RITM 3 = Software access request

Each RITM can have its own variables, approvals, fulfillment flow, SLA, assignment group, and catalog tasks. That is why ServiceNow separates them.

Catalog Tasks are then created under the RITM for fulfillment teams. For example, one laptop RITM may have tasks for procurement, imaging, delivery, and asset assignment.

Technically, you could try to customize everything into one record, but it is not recommended because it would break the OOTB request model, reporting, approvals, fulfillment flows, catalog tasks, variable handling, and future upgrade compatibility.

The better approach is not to remove REQ/RITM, but to simplify the user and support experience. For example:

  • Show users only the Request status in the portal

  • Let fulfillers mainly work from RITM or Catalog Task

  • Build reports/dashboards that combine REQ, RITM, and SCTASK data

  • Use clear naming and related lists

  • Avoid unnecessary custom fields duplicated across all three levels

So, we should not replace Request and Requested Item with one record. They serve different purposes. Instead, improve the process visibility and reporting so it becomes easier to maintain and track.

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Thank you!

TejaswiniY

Ankur Bawiskar
Tera Patron

@ShivaPrasaG9386 

that's what ServiceNow uses to handle the single request and multiple RITMS

1 request can contain multiple RITMs each belonging to different catalog item

This alings with ITIL framework for request fulfillment

💡 If my response helped, please mark it as correct and close the thread 🔒— this helps future readers find the solution faster! 🙏

Regards,
Ankur
Certified Technical Architect  ||  10x ServiceNow MVP  ||  ServiceNow Community Leader