--- sourceDocument: Brazil Governance, Risk, and Compliance sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/governance-risk-compliance Release : - brazil ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Brazil Governance, Risk, and Compliance ft:clusterId : - grc bundleId : - grc workflow : - Technology --- # Structured workflows for BCPs # Structured workflows for BCPs {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Brazil Updated September 10, 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 Structured workflows for BCPs The structured workflows in Business Continuity Management (BCM) enable ServiceNow customers to create, manage, and execute comprehensive business continuity plans (BCPs) within the Business Continuity Workspace (BCM Configurable Workspace). These workflows guide BCP owners through creating plans based on templates, adding assets and scopes, documenting recovery strategies, and managing recovery tasks with automation and reporting capabilities. The solution supports hierarchical plan structures and nested related plans to optimize recovery coordination and prevent cyclic dependencies. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Business Continuity Plan Creation:** Owners create BCPs using templates that automatically generate loss scenarios, recovery strategies, and tasks. Assets and scopes are added to define plan boundaries. * **Hierarchical Plan Structure:** Supports parent-child plan relationships to ensure logical, sequential execution of recovery tasks, prevent circular dependencies, and allow parallel task execution within plans. * **Nested Related Plans:** Improved handling since the Xanadu release to detect and resolve cyclic dependencies and monitor recovery timelines across assets, tasks, and plans. * **Reusable Templates:** Recovery strategy and task templates allow planners to reuse standard elements, reducing repetitive work during plan authoring. * **Asset and Scope Management:** Integration with CMDB for scheduling auto-updates of related assets and dependencies, ensuring plans reflect current infrastructure. * **Task Management and Automation:** Recovery tasks can be added, reordered, grouped, and automated with workflows. Tasks are visualized on Gantt charts for timeline management. * **Issue Tracking and Approval:** Issues can be created or linked to BCPs for problem tracking, and plans can be submitted for approval within the workspace. * **Reporting and Visualization:** Generate BCP reports in PDF or Word format and access a 360° relationship view of plans and associated entities for comprehensive insight. ## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers * **Efficient Plan Development:** Automated generation of plan components from templates saves time and ensures consistency. * **Controlled Recovery Execution:** Hierarchical and nested plan structures maintain focus on relevant plans and tasks, enhancing recovery effectiveness. * **Improved Dependency Management:** Automatic cyclic dependency checks and asset syncing reduce risks of recovery conflicts. * **Enhanced Collaboration:** Integration with recovery teams and issue tracking supports coordinated continuity efforts. * **Visibility and Reporting:** Visual tools and exportable reports facilitate monitoring, communication, and documentation of continuity plans. Perform the structured workflows that are outlined in this section to create a business continuity plan in Business Continuity Workspace (also known as BCM Configurable Workspace). Business continuity plan owner creates a business continuity plan as per the plan template. The owner adds an asset and scope to the plan, creates documentation sections, and adds the related plan and recovery team. The owner also adds a loss scenario with recovery strategy and recovery task, then generates and saves the PDF of the analysis for reference. * For information on creating a business continuity plan, see [Create a business continuity plan](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/P~6sPyQmu8yJj7xRfB81tA "Create a business continuity plan in ServiceNow Business Continuity Management."). For information on adding an asset and scope to the plan, see [Add asset and scope to the BCP](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9H~T_Rsr79nd0YSbvu5arQ "Add an asset and the scope to the business continuity plan (BCP). You can then view the primary elements in the BCM Configurable Workspace."). * For information on creating a documentation section, see [Create documentation sections](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/R8bTFt6c3FNDzDQzJdZmZg "Create a documentation section in the business continuity plan. You can then document the recovery capabilities of your business continuity plan in BCM UIB Workspace."). For information on adding the related plan and recovery team, see [Add associated plans and recovery teams](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ryje60L_FVz4uO0IjPXZYQ "Add your business continuity associated plans and recovery teams to your business continuity plan. You can then view the details in BCM UIB Workspace."). * For information on adding a loss scenario, recovery strategy, and recovery task, see [Add loss scenarios](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/l6p32TS14bb7f7veQ8uXgQ "Add a loss scenario and define the related asset dependencies in your business continuity plan. You can then view the details of the assets in BCM UIB Workspace and then plan a recovery strategy for an identified loss scenario."), [Add recovery strategies for dependencies](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8p_v_HCQNOprCrWRL~xVUQ "Add a recovery strategy for the related asset dependencies and estimate the time to implement the strategy. You can then get the assets up and running quickly in an identified loss scenario."), and [Add recovery tasks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/kufNzzSEfi0GKKWKDZZehg "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 generating and saving the PDF, see [Generate BCP reports in PDF or Microsoft Word format](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ygXcRX04iM~gIs_KIPQU4w "Generate a PDF or Microsoft Word copy of a business continuity plan in the BCM Configurable Workspace and save it for a future reference."). {#bcp-tasks-performed-by-bcp-owner__ul_acv_sy5_pxb} ## Hierarchical plan structure enhancement {#bcp-tasks-performed-by-bcp-owner__section_tty_kdl_ygc} Starting with BCM, version 9.x.x, the hierarchical structure of parent-child plans verifies logical organization and execution of recovery tasks. With this enhancement, when an event is triggered, only relevant child plans are brought into the scope. Plan execution and dependencies cascade downward in a controlled manner. Parent plans are excluded to prevent the inclusion of unrelated scenarios that may require subsequent cancellation. This approach confirms that only relevant plans are considered, maintaining a focused and efficient recovery process. The system also performs cyclic dependency checks automatically, ensuring that the hierarchy always flows one directionally---from parent plans to child plans. Implementing the hierarchical plan structure offers these key benefits: * Logical task execution: Only after the necessary tasks in the parent plans have been completed, tasks in the child plans are executed, ensuring a controlled and sequential recovery process. * Avoidance of circular dependencies: The system is designed to prevent circular dependencies, maintaining a unidirectional flow from parent to child plans and avoiding potential conflicts. * Parallel execution: Tasks within the same plan can be executed in parallel when possible, optimizing recovery time and efficiency. {#bcp-tasks-performed-by-bcp-owner__ul_e45_pdl_ygc} By introducing this hierarchical structure, the system provides an organized and manageable approach to plan management, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in disaster recovery planning and execution. ## Nested related plans {#bcp-tasks-performed-by-bcp-owner__section_mng_n4b_2cc} Beginning with the Xanadu release, the handling of nested related plans has improved. This enhancement helps in managing potential cyclic dependencies by detecting and highlighting any problems that could cause cyclic dependencies during the execution of tasks. Additionally, the refined recovery timelines enable you to monitor the planned and actual timeframes. A task may be applied to all assets within a plan or to none at all. This facilitates an accurate aggregation of recovery timeframes across various levels, including assets, tasks, and plans. ## Additional information on Business Continuity Planning {#bcp-tasks-performed-by-bcp-owner__section_apl_ryy_cyb} * For information on the Planning tab in the Home page, see [Home page view](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/vkYa6siuxOPzuaoq5GBo8w "The Home page in Business Continuity Workspace serves as the landing page of the BCM application."). * For information on business continuity planning, see [Business continuity planning](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/kcdC7YsVzdye14us2A0qmw "Business continuity planning helps you enact and mitigate risk at the time of an event. You can address and plan on the primary scope of the activities, documentation, loss scenarios, recovery teams, approvals, and so on. You can then configure a structured workflow of your business continuity planning tasks in BCM UIB Workspace."). * For information on the administrative tasks in business continuity planning, see [Setup for a business continuity plan](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/cgf5W69tMCbSRcSD22jzDQ "The business continuity plan (BCP) administrator can perform certain administrative tasks that are listed in the General Administration section of the Business Continuity Management application."). {#bcp-tasks-performed-by-bcp-owner__ul_lbv_4xy_cyb} * **[States and UI actions for a BCP](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/YmF71UPcl3KnXGeXNF_aCg)** When you create a business continuity plan (BCP), certain UI actions are associated with each state. * **[Recovery strategy and task templates](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/SCW6rviAuegl4rZ3BXYb1g)** Business continuity planners often rebuild the same recovery structures each time they author a plan. Reusable templates remove that repetition by capturing standard strategies, tasks, and task groupings once and applying them wherever they are needed. * **[Create a business continuity plan](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/P~6sPyQmu8yJj7xRfB81tA)** Create a business continuity plan in ServiceNow Business Continuity Management. * **[Create a business continuity plan from a plan template](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OwWaMpCyPS3C1WbrnqQ2SA)** Create a business continuity plan from a plan template in BCM UIB Workspace so that the loss scenarios, recovery strategies, and recovery tasks defined on the template are generated automatically. * **[Scheduling auto-update of related assets](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/iFyDJif4TiRZO3Mk2L0yKA)** You can schedule an auto-update of the related assets in the plans based on the source data and relationships in the CMDB. You can receive an email notification with details of the plan dependency updates from the BCM application. Dependencies are fetched from different sources such as BIA upstream dependency, BIA downstream dependencies, and CMDB. * **[Add asset and scope to the BCP](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9H~T_Rsr79nd0YSbvu5arQ)** Add an asset and the scope to the business continuity plan (BCP). You can then view the primary elements in the BCM Configurable Workspace. * **[Create documentation sections](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/R8bTFt6c3FNDzDQzJdZmZg)** Create a documentation section in the business continuity plan. You can then document the recovery capabilities of your business continuity plan in BCM UIB Workspace. * **[Add associated plans and recovery teams](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ryje60L_FVz4uO0IjPXZYQ)** Add your business continuity associated plans and recovery teams to your business continuity plan. You can then view the details in BCM UIB Workspace. * **[Add loss scenarios](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/l6p32TS14bb7f7veQ8uXgQ)** Add a loss scenario and define the related asset dependencies in your business continuity plan. You can then view the details of the assets in BCM UIB Workspace and then plan a recovery strategy for an identified loss scenario. * **[Add recovery strategies for dependencies](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8p_v_HCQNOprCrWRL~xVUQ)** Add a recovery strategy for the related asset dependencies and estimate the time to implement the strategy. You can then get the assets up and running quickly in an identified loss scenario. * **[Configure a recovery strategy template](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/O6u75_THvL9vJmMY6Wzf7g)** Configure a reusable recovery strategy template so business continuity planners can apply a pre-defined strategy to loss scenarios without re-entering the implementation details each time. * **[Mapping recovery tasks to phases](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/VfumKfCauoEOrdIhuycwyg)** 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. * **[Add recovery tasks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/kufNzzSEfi0GKKWKDZZehg)** 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. * **[Apply Task templates and Task template groups](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/13ZWbRww8xAwnadOcv7AeA)** Save individual tasks or groups of tasks for reuse across plans. You can add templates to new plans or insert them into existing ones. You can also generate templates directly from tasks and plans that already exist in the system. * **[Create a quick recovery task](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/UYX6b0z73QBvwjxcgqCQlQ)** Create a quick recovery task from Recovery tasks or as part of the planned recovery strategy for a business continuity plan. Using the quick insert feature, you can create tasks without navigating to a separate form. Tasks can be ordered, inserted in sequence (before, after, or in parallel with existing tasks), and dependencies are updated automatically. * **[Import and export recovery tasks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/sT8VeIL1pRZhRI~o329WMw)** Export recovery tasks to a Microsoft Excel file, edit offline, and import the file to create, or update multiple tasks at once. * **[Visualize recovery tasks on Gantt chart](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6Vxd4trORv9pI1pfbPRvTA)** Use the Gantt chart component on recovery task pages to provide a visual timeline view of tasks associated with the current plan. Customize the view by adding, removing, or reordering columns as needed. The chart is implemented as a UI page to enable customizations and to support multiple versions without requiring changes to existing page behavior. * **[Sync assets between loss scenarios and recovery strategies](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/n8O08DpNaX2o0zs8rNtitA)** Use the asset syncing fields in the plan template to configure whether assets synchronize to loss scenarios, to recovery strategies, or both. Syncing is a two-step process: assets flow from the plan to loss scenarios first, and then from loss scenarios to recovery strategies. * **[Automate recovery tasks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/fmhaxCdmEOZksqFu73uElg)** Automate the manual recovery task within the business continuity plan. You can classify the manual recovery task as an automated task first and then attach an automated flow to it. * **[Add or create an issue from a plan](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/i4NYcbUjLBoKOmeap4~DuA)** Add an existing issue or create an issue from a business continuity plan to track problems identified during continuity planning. * **[Submit the BCP for approval](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/VeTANZjmqUh_4Tqk4mDI8A)** Submit the business continuity plan (BCP) for an approval. You can then view the details in BCM UIB Workspace. * **[Visualize 360° relationships for the BCP](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6Y1vB2ymTVyGzp1SNYlCJw)** Visualize the 360° relationships for a business continuity plan (BCP) and its associated entities in BCM UIB Workspace. You can access the 360° view at any time while working on the business continuity plan. * **[Generate BCP reports in PDF or Microsoft Word format](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ygXcRX04iM~gIs_KIPQU4w)** Generate a PDF or Microsoft Word copy of a business continuity plan in the BCM Configurable Workspace and save it for a future reference.