---
sourceDocument: Brazil Governance, Risk, and Compliance
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/governance-risk-compliance

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    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil Governance, Risk, and Compliance

ft:clusterId :

    - grc

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workflow :

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---

# Workflow of action item in risk response task

# Workflow of action item in risk response task {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated September 10, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read
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## Summary of Workflow of action item in risk response task

The action item workflow in risk response tasks is a structured process designed to manage detailed tasks assigned to multiple stakeholders.
This workflow ensures effective tracking and completion of tasks aimed at addressing and managing risks within the ServiceNow platform.
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## Action Item States

* **Draft:** Initial state upon creation of an action item.
* **Assigned:** State when an action item is assigned to a user.
* **Work in progress:** When the assignee begins working and submits the item for review.
* **Review:** The risk response task owner reviews and either approves or rejects the item.
* **Closed:** The action item is approved and completed.

## Workflow Stages

* **Create action items:** Risk assessors or risk response task owners create multiple action items within a risk response task to implement risk management strategies. Action items can only be created when the risk response task is in Draft or Work in progress states. Note that risk acceptance tasks do not support creation of action items.
* **Respond to the action item:** The assignee moves the action item to Work in progress, documenting actions taken in the Assignee comments field and then submits it for approval, transitioning the item to Review.
* **Approve or reject the action item:** The risk response task owner reviews the comments and either approves (moving the item to Closed) or rejects it (returning the item to Work in progress for further work).

## Key Considerations

All action items linked to a risk response task must be closed before the overall task can transition from Work in progress to Awaiting approval state. This ensures comprehensive risk management compliance and accountability within your workflows.  
The action item workflow is a structured process for managing the granular tasks associated with risk response tasks, which are assigned to multiple stakeholders.

## Exploring the user journey for an Action item {#workflow-action-item-risk-response-task__section_gql_fcy_dcc}

The states of an action item are as follows:

1. Draft: The default state when an action item is created.
2. Assigned: The state when the action item is assigned to a user.
3. Work in progress: The state when the action item owner starts working on it and sends it to the risk response task owner for review.
4. Review: The state when the risk response task owner reviews the action item and either approves or rejects it.
5. Closed: The state when the risk response task owner approves the action item, moving it to the Closed state.
{#workflow-action-item-risk-response-task__ol_jq3_f5y_dcc}  
The action item workflow consists of the following stages:

Create action items
:   The risk assessor or risk response task owner can create multiple strategies with various action items for each risk response task. Action items are specific, granular tasks defined within a risk response task to address and
    manage risks effectively. The risk response task owner defines a plan of action for the action item. Action items can be created when the risk response task is in either the Draft state or the Work in progress state. For more
    information, see [Create an action item in the risk response task](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/7~knS9BkeaJO~InLng4fcA "Create multiple strategies with various action items for each risk response task. Action items help you to understand and focus on specific steps needed to manage risks.").  
    Note:  
    You can create risk response action items for all types of risk response tasks except for Risk acceptance tasks.

Respond to the action item
:   The assignee of the risk response action item moves the action item to the Work in progress state. In this stage, the action item owner specifies the action taken in the Assignee comments field, along with
    any other required steps. The action item owner then sends the action item to the risk response task owner for approval. After the action item owner request for approval, the action item moves to the Review state.

Approve or reject the action item
:   In the Review state, the risk response task owner can review the assignee comments and either approve or reject the action item. If the approver approves the action item, it moves to the Closed state. If approver rejects the
    action item, then the action item moves back to the Work in progress state.  
    Important:  
    All action items associated with the risk response task must be closed to move the risk response task from Work in progress to Awaiting approval state.