--- 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 crisis events # Structured workflows for crisis events {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Brazil Updated September 10, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 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 crisis events ServiceNow's Business Continuity Workspace (BCM Configurable Workspace) enables Business Continuity Management (BCM) program managers to manage crisis events using structured workflows. These workflows coordinate response efforts by associating impacted assets, business continuity plans, and recovery strategies with each crisis event. Managers can assign and track event tasks to relevant teams for execution, facilitating organized and efficient crisis management. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Bulk Editing of Event Tasks:** From version 6.1.x, users with editing access can perform bulk edits on event tasks' key fields such as state, assigned user/group, and actual start/end dates directly from the Event tasks related list, simplifying management of multiple tasks. * **State Transitions and Task Status Management:** Event task states follow defined transitions (e.g., Pending, Open, Work In Progress, Closed states). Users can update task states within allowed transitions with error messages guiding invalid changes. Only authorized users can reopen closed tasks to ensure recovery accuracy. * **Recovery Task Member Updates:** Recovery task members can update task statuses via the My Recovery Tasks interface, even without event page access. When tasks are marked Closed complete, form fields lock to prevent edits but allow adding activity notes. * **Nested Plans and Dependencies:** System properties enable automatic creation of nested plans within events, reducing manual effort and improving performance. Dependencies between activated plans can be managed through event task dependencies. * **Task Management Enhancements:** Features include creating action items during open events or exercises, collaborating through threads and email updates starting BCM core release 12.x.x, grouping similar or duplicate tasks to minimize redundancy, and tracking issues by adding or creating issue records tied to crisis events. * **Automated Task Import and Event Initiation:** Automated tasks from business continuity plans can be imported during actual events to enhance efficiency and reduce response time. * **Approval Workflow:** Crisis events can be submitted for approval and approved within the BCM workspace to ensure controlled and documented response processes. ## Practical Application for ServiceNow Customers This structured workflow system enables BCM program managers to efficiently track and coordinate crisis response activities, ensuring all impacted assets and plans are accounted for and that recovery tasks are systematically executed and monitored. Bulk editing and state management streamline task updates, while recovery team members can update task status without full event access, promoting inclusivity in response efforts. Automated task imports and nested plan configurations optimize event setup and execution. Collaboration and issue tracking features enhance communication and problem resolution during crises. The approval process ensures governance and accountability in crisis handling. Manage crisis events using structured workflows in the Business Continuity Workspace (also known as BCM Configurable Workspace). Business Continuity Management (BCM) program managers create crisis events to coordinate response efforts. They associate relevant assets, business continuity plans, and recovery strategies with each event, then assign and submit event tasks to appropriate teams for execution. * For more information on reporting a crisis event, see [Start a crisis event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/10nLyZAqpx7~vw5BtOa9nA "Report a crisis event in the BCM Configurable Workspace. A crisis event is any significant disruption that threatens business operations. The Business Continuity Workspace enables you to create crisis records and document initial actions."). * For more information on adding an asset and plan to the crisis event, see [Track impacted assets and add related plans](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/0_t0XRZ3YJXDrLFvLjYjDA "Track the impacted assets and add a related plan during a crisis event. You can monitor the assets and plans for the crisis event in BCM UIB Workspace. You can then recover your assets in the planning stage."). * For more information on adding an event task to the crisis event, see [Add a task to the crisis event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/z5TjwOFqRcmufJMFWAmo8w "Add a task to the crisis event in BCM UIB Workspace. You can then monitor and complete the required actions to respond to the crisis event."). * For more information on submitting the event task, see [Request an approval and approve the crisis event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XcCVpp8iZXEdKVhKWixrGQ "Approve the crisis event in BCM UIB Workspace."). {#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__ul_xmz_3ft_byb} ## Bulk editing of tasks from the Event tasks related list {#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__section_epl_mlf_3bc} Starting with version 6.1.x, users who have editing access to the event record can perform bulk edits on tasks directly from the Event tasks related list. This feature benefits users who manage multiple event tasks simultaneously. In the recovery tasks list, users with the necessary edit permissions can modify these fields simultaneously: * State * Assigned to * Actual start * Actual end * Assigned group {#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__ul_qnf_2mf_3bc} Once an event is initiated, these users can also modify the state of an event task either from the list view or the form view. The process for updating the state of an event task from the list view is demonstrated in the example. If a state transition is not allowed, an error message is displayed to indicate that the update is invalid. The table details the permitted state transitions for an event task.{#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__table_wpr_psf_3bc__entry__8} | Transition from state | Pending state | Open state | Work In Progress state | Closed Complete state | Closed Incomplete state | Closed Skipped state | Closed Failed state | |-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-| | Pending | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | | Open | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | | Work In Progress | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Closed Complete | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | | Closed Incomplete | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | | Closed Skipped | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | | Closed failed | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | [Table 1. Permitted state transitions for an event task] {#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__table_wpr_psf_3bc} Note: All changes to state transitions and updates to the start or end dates are listed in the Task activity log. Consider these key details about the state transitions of an event task. 1. The event task can only be opened from the Closed complete state. 2. Once the event task moves to the Open state, users of the event task can edit it further. 3. The task can then be moved from the Open state to the Closed Skipped state. 4. Only users with access to the event can reopen the event task. While recovery task members can change the status of the event task, they cannot reopen it. {#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__ol_wvx_trl_3bc} The table summarizes the UI actions available for an event task and their corresponding states:{#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__table_cqf_5pf_3bc__entry__3} | UI action | State of the event task | Notes | |-|-|-| | Trigger | Pending | This condition is applicable only when an event has been started. | | Skip task | Pending, Open, Work in progress | - | | Work in progress | Open | - | | Closed complete | Work in progress | - | | Closed incomplete | Work in progress | - | | Closed failed | Work in progress | - | | Re-trigger as a manual task | Closed | - | | Re-trigger automation | Work in progress, Closed | This condition is applicable for an automated task only. | [Table 2. UI actions and the associated states of the event tasks] {#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__table_cqf_5pf_3bc} If a task is mistakenly closed, users of the event task can reopen it to make the required edits, ensuring the recovery process remains accurate and complete. ## Updating the event task as a recovery task member {#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__section_svg_4pl_3bc} Generally, recovery task members update the status of event tasks. Although they do not have access to the event page or workspace, they can navigate to My Recovery Tasks in the instance to access the recovery task. By modifying the UI action, they can change the status of the event task, as demonstrated in the example. For instance, when members of the recovery task mark the task as Closed complete, all fields on the form become locked. This implies that while members of the recovery task cannot modify the fields, they are still able to add activity notes. Only users who have access to the event task can edit the fields on the form. For information on importing the automated task in an event, see [Import automated tasks and start an event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/A8p4l4~hkIhbZ~nTJaZneQ "Import the automated task from the business continuity plan in an actual event. Utilizing automated tasks during an actual event enhances efficiency and reduces response time for users."). * For information on reporting a crisis event from 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 managing threats, feeds, and alerts in the Crisis map interface, see [Crisis map interface](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/zQVdk7KPQuFXRLBW7aHYFQ "You can integrate Crisis map with the BCM application and initiate the response workflows for crisis management. After installing the Crisis map application, you can view the Threat and Alert Data Feeds module in your BCM application instance."). * For information on performing administrative tasks in the Crisis map interface, see [Setup for Crisis map](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/oBJvV2JwFfpKEyzwLEKPyQ "BCM administrators perform the administrative tasks to set up the Crisis map interface."). {#perform-tasks-to-manage-crisis-events__ul_lbv_4xy_cyb} * **[Start a crisis event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/10nLyZAqpx7~vw5BtOa9nA)** Report a crisis event in the BCM Configurable Workspace. A crisis event is any significant disruption that threatens business operations. The Business Continuity Workspace enables you to create crisis records and document initial actions. * **[Using nested plans](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2syxWC6qhNzj69b~sn68WQ)** Configure a system property to control activated plan levels in an event. The system automatically creates nested plans within an event, reducing the manual effort of adding plans and improving system performance. You can also add dependencies between multiple activated plans by updating the Dependencies field in the event tasks. * **[Track impacted assets and add related plans](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/0_t0XRZ3YJXDrLFvLjYjDA)** Track the impacted assets and add a related plan during a crisis event. You can monitor the assets and plans for the crisis event in BCM UIB Workspace. You can then recover your assets in the planning stage. * **[Add a task to the crisis event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/z5TjwOFqRcmufJMFWAmo8w)** Add a task to the crisis event in BCM UIB Workspace. You can then monitor and complete the required actions to respond to the crisis event. * **[Creating action items in crisis events](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OO4WaoI5xuXaeFYZywTPcw)** Starting with BCM release 9.0.x, crisis managers can create action tasks for recovery members or teams during open crisis events or exercises. * **[Creating collaborations in exercises and crisis events](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/EsJHOAvQhrrKqc91dYsKVA)** Starting with BCM core release 12.x.x, crisis managers can create collaboration threads on crisis events to coordinate responses with recovery teams and send email updates. * **[Create a similar tasks group](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/vLLlt~D1b1_snLINIxlUHg)** Identify and group similar or duplicate tasks related to a crisis event using the Similar tasks groups tab. Grouping similar tasks helps you to optimize event task management and minimize redundant work. * **[Add or create an issue from a crisis event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/FH_WDytWP2Bgir~mkkQHdw)** Add an existing issue or create an issue to track problems identified during a crisis event. * **[Import automated tasks and start an event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/A8p4l4~hkIhbZ~nTJaZneQ)** Import the automated task from the business continuity plan in an actual event. Utilizing automated tasks during an actual event enhances efficiency and reduces response time for users. * **[Request an approval and approve the crisis event](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XcCVpp8iZXEdKVhKWixrGQ)** Approve the crisis event in BCM UIB Workspace.