--- original_url: "https://jace.pro/blog/approval-field-and-why-it-works-the-way-it-does/" format: markdown ai_optimized: true --- Approval field and why it works the way it does- # Approval field and why it works the way it does November 1, 2024 [servicenow ](/tags/servicenow/)[approvals](/tags/approvals/) Enable AI Animation There’s the told approval engine that I believe evaluates the `sysrule_approvals` and `process_guide` records. There’s a number of approval rules against `sc_request` Depending on how the `approval_engines.do` page is configured controls how the legacy approvals work. Lets look at the three tables in question; Catalog Task is set to use Process Guides - Requested Item using approval engine when it’s associated to a delivery plan, otherwise it’s handled in the workflow or flow. - Request is managed by workflows only. - Catalog Task Process Guide Catalog Task Default ( when this condition is true `state=1^delivery_task.sys_class_name=cat_item_dt_approval`) Today we have [9 items using DEFAULT execution plan here](https://deltasndev.service-now.com/sc_cat_item_list.do?sysparm_query=type!%3Dbundle%5Esys_class_name!%3Dsc_cat_item_guide%5Etype!%3Dpackage%5Esys_class_name!%3Dsc_cat_item_content%5Epublished_refISEMPTY%5Edelivery_planISNOTEMPTY%5Eactive%3Dtrue%5Esys_class_name!%3Dstd_change_record_producer%5EORsys_class_name%3DNULL%5Esys_class_name!%3Dsc_cat_item_producer%5EORsys_class_name%3DNULL%5Esys_class_name!%3Dsc_cat_item_composite_producer%5EORsys_class_name%3DNULL%5Esys_class_name!%3Dpc_product_cat_item%5EORsys_class_name%3DNULL&sysparm_view=). Those invoke a call to this script include `GlideappTaskApprovalHelper` which is hidden/unavailable but is setting the approval to `requested` when there are no approvers. - Catalog Task Business Rules Auto Close on Approval - This is used on Execution Plan tasks and sets the `active` and `work_end` fields. - Reject Parent - This is used on Execution Plan tasks and sets the `sc_req_item.approval` based on the `sc_task` if it’s rejected. - Task Business Rules Stamp Approvals - This sets `approval_set` to the current time when approved or rejected, otherwise it clears the value. - Moot Approvals Upon Cancellation - This looks at all individual and group approvals for the current task, if the state of the `sysapproval_approver` or `sysapproveral_group` are `requested` or `not requested` this sets’ the approval record to `not_required`. - task events - This generates events that notifications and script actions can trigger against. `task.approved` - no script actions against this - `task.rejected` - no script actions against this - Requested Items Approval Engines - [There are none](https://deltasndev.service-now.com/sysrule_approvals_list.do?sysparm_query=active%3Dtrue%5Etable%3Dsc_req_item&sysparm_view=). - Requested Items Workflows ([KB0538552](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0538552)) `Approval Action` - Sets the approval as configured. - `Approval - User` - Sets approval to Requested, and then Approved or Rejected as configured. - `Approval - Group` - Sets approval to Requested, and then Approved or Rejected as configured. - `Rollback To` - Sets approval to Not Yet Requested or Requested as configured. - Requested Items Flows `Ask for Approval` - Sets the approval to Requested, and then Approved or Rejected as configured. - Requested Items Business Rules Items Added After Request Approved - runs **before insert**, where **`current.request.approval == approved and current.stage == waiting_for_approval`** Then if the catalog item associated uses workflow or flow, set the **`current.approval = requested`** Else, **`current.approval = current.request.approval`** - Set RITM Due Date On Insert - calculates the `due_date` - request item closure - cancels related approvals when the item becomes cancelled - sc_ic: Copy Approval Definitions - This calls `sc_ic_Factory` which [deals with the catalog item designer](https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/vancouver-servicenow-platform/page/product/service-catalog-management/reference/r_InstalledWithCatalogItemDesigner.html). - reject approval on closed incomplete - runs **before insert or update** where **`current.state.changesTo(4)`** Then it sets the approval to rejected. - Request Workflows 2. Service Catalog Request **active == true** (`no condition`) set’s `approval` to `requested` then **Marks task approved** 5. Source Request **active == false** (`sourceable=true^approval=approved^EQ`) 6. Service Catalog Request **active == false** (`no condition`) 7. Delta Hardware Catalog Generic **active == false** (`parent.ref_sc_req_item.cat_item.category!=