---
sourceDocument: Australia Build workflows
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/build-workflows

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Wait for condition workflow activity

# Wait for condition workflow activity {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 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 Wait for condition workflow activity

The Wait for condition workflow activity in ServiceNow pauses a workflow at this point until the current record meets a specified condition.
It continuously evaluates the condition each time the record is updated, enabling workflows to wait indefinitely for particular criteria to be fulfilled by an external event such as a record update.
Show full answer Show less  
This activity is not intended for waiting on changes made by the workflow itself; for such cases, incorporating a short timer is recommended. For time-based pauses, Timer workflow activities should be used instead.

## Key Features

* **Condition Evaluation:** The workflow waits until all specified conditions (defined in the builder or via script) are true for the current record.
* **Scripted Conditions:** Allows use of a script that sets an `answer` variable to true for more complex condition evaluation.
* **Timeout Option:** Customers can enable a timeout to limit how long the workflow waits. If the condition is not met within the specified `Duration`, the workflow skips this activity and continues. A work schedule can be applied to calculate the timeout end time.
* **Result Handling:** The workflow designer can assign a result value via `activity.result` within a script field. The activity transitions when this result evaluates to true.
* **User Context:** Condition activities run as the user whose actions meet the waiting conditions, ensuring accurate permission context.

## Activity States

The workflow engine manages the activity through several states:

* **Executing:** The activity starts processing.
* **Waiting:** The activity pauses and waits for the specified condition or event.
* **Finished:** The activity completes, with the outcome based on the result value.
* **Cancelled:** The activity or the containing workflow was cancelled.
* **Error:** A JavaScript error occurred; logs should be reviewed for details.

## Practical Considerations for ServiceNow Customers

Use this activity to effectively pause workflows until external changes to records meet your criteria, such as status updates or approvals. Avoid using it to wait on changes initiated by the workflow itself; instead, use timers in those scenarios. Consider enabling the timeout feature to prevent indefinite waiting and keep workflows progressing smoothly.  
The Wait for condition activity causes the workflow to wait at this activity until the current record matches the specified condition. {#r_WaitForCondition__wf-wait-for-activity-shortdesc}
The workflow evaluates the Wait for condition activity each time the
current record is updated. Use this activity to pause a workflow indefinitely until a
particular criteria is met by a record update. To pause a workflow for a timed duration see
[Timer workflow
activities](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_TimerActivities&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US).  
For workflow to consider the condition met, all conditions specified -- whether in the builder or in a script -- must be true.  
Note:  
A Wait for condition activity should only be used to wait for an external event such as a record update, and not one from a workflow setting a value. If you have a workflow setting a value and want to wait for that same field to be seen as 'changed,' try inserting a one-second timer.

## Results

The workflow designer can assign a result value using `activity.result` from
within a script field of the activity. The activity transitions when the result value is
true.

## Input variables

The following variables determine the behavior of the activity.  
Note:  
Condition activities run as the user whose actions match the conditions the workflow was waiting for and advances the workflow.
{#r_WaitForCondition__table_uml_1qt_jp__entry__2}

| Field | Description |
|-|-|
| Condition | The workflow is paused at this activity until this condition matches the current record. |
| Condition script | If specified, the workflow is paused at this activity until this script sets the <var class="keyword varname">answer</var> variable to true. |
| Enable Timeout | Option to limit the amount of time that the workflow waits for the activity to be completed before continuing. Note: Use the Enable timeout option to prevent this activity from continuing to run. If the condition to continue is never met, a timeout value specifies when the system skips the Wait for Condition activity and goes to the next item in the workflow. You must set a Duration value to enable a timeout. You can also select a Schedule if you want to compute the duration end date based on a specific work schedule. |
| Duration | Amount of time that the workflow waits before continuing when the Enable timeout option is selected. Enter the time to wait in hours, minutes, and seconds. If you leave this field empty, the workflow does not wait. |
[Table 1. Wait for condition activity input variables]

{#r_WaitForCondition__table_uml_1qt_jp}

## States

The activity state tells the workflow engine what to do with the activity.{#r_WaitForCondition__table_wvy_pqt_jp__entry__2}

| State | Description |
|-|-|
| Executing | The workflow engine knows to start the onExecute function of the activity. |
| Waiting | The workflow engine ignores the activity until a specific event to restart the activity is fired. |
| Finished | The activity finished running. See the result value for the outcome of the activity. |
| Cancelled | This activity, or the workflow that contains this activty, was canceled. |
| Error | A JavaScript error occurred. Review the logs for error details. |
[Table 2. Wait for condition activity states]

{#r_WaitForCondition__table_wvy_pqt_jp}