---
sourceDocument: Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/xanadu/servicenow-platform

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities

ft:clusterId :

    - platcap

bundleId :

    - platcap

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Work item queues

# Work item queues {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read

In Advanced Work Assignment, queues store a specific type of work item for
a service channel.
AWA administrators can create or modify queues based on
customer need. As part of creating or modifying a queue, the awa_admin identifies some
information about the queue, including the service channel to which the queue belongs and
which agent groups handle the incoming work items.

The awa_admin can select a schedule that defines when the queue is available and identify a
time limit within which an agent should accept a work item in the queue. If the selected
service channel is Chat, the awa_admin creates the chat messages that
are displayed to users.  
Routing conditions identify the work items that are routed to a queue. Create routing conditions in one of two ways:

* Simple: use a condition builder to select routing conditions. The fields available for selection are based on the selected service channel.
* Advanced: use a JavaScript script to identify routing conditions.
{#awa-queues__ul_d44_cyx_gfb}

The awa_admin can also create a queue without routing conditions so that work items are not routed to that queue automatically. Customers can manually assign work items to the queue or assign work items using assignment tools
such as matching rules or Workflow Studio.

When a case in a queue is assigned manually, the case is removed from the queue. The state
of the work item is set to Canceled and the cancellation reason is
set to Manually assigned.  
Note:  
New work items may not be assigned if they are routed to queues containing more than 10,000 work items in the queued state.

## Configure routing rules that use chat context variables {#awa-queues__section_iym_lpj_sjb}

You can specify queue routing rules that use chat context variables in the condition
builder. For details on creating chat context variables, see [Configure context variables for storing chat-related information](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ac-configure-context-variables&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-conversational-interfaces&ft:locale=en-US). These
variables can store contextual information that can be used in routing conditions to control
where chat work items are routed.

For example, you can define chat context variables to store user responses from [pre-chat
surveys](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=create-chat-surveys&version=xanadu&pubname=xanadu-conversational-interfaces&ft:locale=en-US) that you create. If you store these responses in chat context variables,
such as a user's department or a product name, you can specify the context variables in
queue routing conditions to direct where the live chat is routed. When you specify a routing
condition using the condition builder, you can dot walk to the Context fields. In the fields
menu, select Show Related Fields and open the fields menu again to
select Context → Interaction Context fields.

You can then select from the available chat context variables in the condition
builder. For example, choosing csp_category becomes
Context.csp_category.

## Assign pools of agents eligible to work on a queue {#awa-queues__section_k1g_grd_hfb}

Assign one or more agent groups to a queue using the Eligibility Assignment related list. These groups are eligible to receive work items from
the queue, which allows work to get prioritized to eligible agents.

Select an agent assignment rule and any eligibility time constraints for each group. The
eligibility time constraints are used to determine when the next pool of agents is eligible
for assignment. For example, you can assign one group to handle work items immediately and a
second group to handle the overflow from the first group after work items sit in the queue
for a specified amount of time.  
Note:  
If no groups are assigned to a queue, work items can be routed to the queue but Advanced Work Assignment does not assign them.

## Create a sort order for a queue {#awa-queues__section_bpc_hrd_hfb}

Use the Work Item Sort Order related list to create one or more sort conditions for work
items in a queue. For each sort condition, specify a field from the selected service channel
table and the direction to sort, either ascending or descending. Items in the queue are
sorted and assigned to agents based on these conditions.
* **[Create a work item queue](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ENo9WqGpAHj8FqnqX52ZDQ)**   
  Define or change a queue so that you can determine which work items are routed automatically to agents through a given service channel.
* **[Define agent pools eligible for assignment](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/l32hD2MUYJxmSdlPD1zstw)**   
  Specify pools of agents eligible to receive overflow work assignments for a queue. An eligible assignment pool can consist of one or more groups of agents available to work on items in the queue. This feature enables Advanced Work Assignment to find a qualified agent from a wider pool of agents.
* **[Set work item sort order](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Cpy4_F_4sBTquWDodQq4Og)**   
  Specify the order in which work items in a queue are sorted.
* **[Create and manage queue triggers](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/jEuiHUSWCnXnz~cOi3akBA)**   
  Create and manage queue triggers to set off multiple actions during customer wait times for a particular queue.
* **[External routing overview](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ylMRy3NujxgJ70PilNYb_g)**   
  External Routing involves routing to external queue based on the service channel and queue conditions, and then the assignment is completed by the third-party system.