Close a work order task as incomplete
Close a work order task as incomplete if there is work pending on the task.
Before you begin
Role required: wm_agent
Procedure
-
Navigate to All > Field Service > Agent > Assigned to me.
-
Open a work order task.
-
Click Close Incomplete.
The Close Incomplete pop-up appears.
-
Do one of the following.
Option Description Clone the task and create a follow-on task From the Create a follow on task? list, select Yes. Close the work order as incomplete without creating a follow-on task From the Create a follow on task? list, select No. -
In the Reason for the incomplete closure field, enter a reason for not completing the task.
This information is copied to the Work Notes field on the work order task form.
-
Click OK.
The status of all unused parts automatically changes to In-Stock.
The parent work order state changes based on the following conditions:
|
If |
The work order state changes to |
|---|---|
|
All work order tasks are in the Closed-Complete or Canceled state and at least one work order task is in Closed-Incomplete state. |
Closed - Incomplete |
|
Only one work order task is associated with a work order and that task generates a follow-on task, which is in Draft state. |
Awaiting Qualification |
|
More than one work order task is associated with a work order and one or more those tasks generate a follow-on task, which is in Draft state. |
Work in Progress |
|
All follow-on tasks generated from any of the work order tasks are in Closed Complete state. Note: The task that generated the follow-on task will be in Closed Incomplete state. |
Closed Complete |
Closing child Work Order task also closes parent work order.
This business rule is configured on parent \(sm\_task\) table and runs when a \(sm\_task\) record's state changes. There is logic hardcoded to rollup the state change to its parent.
If this behavior is not desired for work orders you can implement the following condition on this business rule to ensure this business rule does not run for \(wm\_task/wm\_order\) records.
Condition = current.sys\_class\_name != 'wm\_task' && current.sys\_class\_name != 'wm\_order'.
---
title: Close a work order task as incomplete
description: Close a work order task as incomplete if there is work pending on the task.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/field-service-management/work-order-management/t\_CloseAWorkOrderTaskAsIncomplete.html
release: brazil
product: Work Order Management
classification: work-order-management
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Execute work order tasks, Updating task status, Completing work orders on the web interface, Use, Field Service Management]
---
# Close a work order task as incomplete
Close a work order task as incomplete if there is work pending on the task.
## Before you begin
Role required: wm\_agent
## Procedure
1. Navigate to **All** > **Field Service** > **Agent** > **Assigned to me**.
2. Open a work order task.
3. Click **Close Incomplete**.
The **Close Incomplete** pop-up appears.
4. Do one of the following.
|Option|Description|
|------|-----------|
|**Clone the task and create a follow-on task**|From the **Create a follow on task?** list, select **Yes**.|
|**Close the work order as incomplete without creating a follow-on task**|From the **Create a follow on task?** list, select **No**.|
5. In the **Reason for the incomplete closure** field, enter a reason for not completing the task.
This information is copied to the **Work Notes** field on the work order task form.
6. Click **OK**.
The status of all unused parts automatically changes to **In-Stock**.
The parent work order state changes based on the following conditions:
<table id="table_v5b_4jy_jgb"><thead><tr><th align="center">
If
</th><th align="center">
The work order state changes to
</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>
All work order tasks are in the **Closed-Complete** or **Canceled** state and at least one work order task is in **Closed-Incomplete** state.
</td><td>
**Closed - Incomplete**
</td></tr><tr><td>
Only one work order task is associated with a work order and that task generates a follow-on task, which is in **Draft** state.
</td><td>
**Awaiting Qualification**
</td></tr><tr><td>
More than one work order task is associated with a work order and one or more those tasks generate a follow-on task, which is in **Draft** state.
</td><td>
**Work in Progress**
</td></tr><tr><td>
All follow-on tasks generated from any of the work order tasks are in **Closed Complete** state. **Note:** The task that generated the follow-on task will be in **Closed Incomplete** state.
</td><td>
**Closed Complete**
</td></tr></tbody>
</table> **Note:** Additionally,
Closing child Work Order task also closes parent work order.
This business rule is configured on parent \(sm\_task\) table and runs when a \(sm\_task\) record's state changes. There is logic hardcoded to rollup the state change to its parent.
If this behavior is not desired for work orders you can implement the following condition on this business rule to ensure this business rule does not run for \(wm\_task/wm\_order\) records.
Condition = current.sys\_class\_name != 'wm\_task' && current.sys\_class\_name != 'wm\_order'.
| title | Close a work order task as incomplete |
| description | Close a work order task as incomplete if there is work pending on the task. |
| locale | en-US |
| canonical_url | https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/field-service-management/work-order-management/t\_CloseAWorkOrderTaskAsIncomplete.html |
| release | brazil |
| product | Work Order Management |
| classification | work-order-management |
| topic_type | task |
| last_updated | 2026-09-10 |
| reading_time_minutes | 1 |
| breadcrumb | Execute work order tasksUpdating task statusCompleting work orders on the web interfaceUseField Service Management |