---
title: Configure an automatic response for a question
description: Set up automatic responses for assessment questions using either static responses or script-based responses based on specific conditions. You can configure default responses for text, drop-down list, radio button, check box, date, code and number question types. This feature helps save assessors time and effort by reducing the number of questions that require answers.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/governance-risk-compliance/smart-assessment-engine/configure-automatic-response-for-a-question.html
release: australia
product: Smart Assessment Engine
classification: smart-assessment-engine
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 3
breadcrumb: [Automate response, Use template designer, Manage, Smart Assessment Engine, Governance, Risk, and Compliance]
---

# Configure an automatic response for a question

Set up automatic responses for assessment questions using either static responses or script-based responses based on specific conditions. You can configure default responses for text, drop-down list, radio button, check box, date, code and number question types. This feature helps save assessors time and effort by reducing the number of questions that require answers.

## Before you begin

The Advanced Response Automation for Smart assessment plugin \(com.sn\_smart\_resp\_auto\) must be installed.

**Note:** If you have the assessment admin or template manager role, you can configure a default or conditional default response for a question. To create scripts, you need the developer role in addition to the assessment admin or template manager role.

Role required:

-   To configure default or conditional responses: sn\_smart\_asmt.assessment\_admin or sn\_smart\_asmt.template\_manager
-   To create scripted responses: one of the earlier roles plus sn\_smart\_asmt.developer

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to **Workspaces** > **Assessment Workspace** to access the Assessment Workspace landing page.

2.  Create an assessment template or open an existing assessment template that is in the Draft state.

    For more information on creating a template, see [Create an assessment template](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/governance-risk-compliance/smart-assessment-engine/sae-asmnt-template-create.md).

3.  Select a question for which you want to configure an automatic response.

4.  Select the **Configuration options**\[Omitted image "more-actions.png"\] Alt text: and then select **Automated response**.

5.  In the **Default response is** field of the **Automated response** pop-up window, select a default response for the question based on the question type or create a script.

    1.  Create a script for a dynamic response by selecting the script icon.

    2.  Update the `result.value = <null>` with the required input.

        In the script, **result.value** holds the response. The input in **result.value** must match the corresponding question type. For example, a text-type question should have a string value and while a number-type question should have an integer value.

6.  Set up a condition by selecting **Add If-then condition**.

7.  Select **+ New condition set** under **If** condition to set the condition.

    -   Add details to **If** and **Then** conditions using the condition builder. For more information, refer to [Condition builder](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/platform-user-interface/c_ConditionBuilder.md).
    -   You can set up multiple conditions within a single **If** condition by selecting **+ New condition set**. Within a single condition row, you can combine multiple conditions using **and** or **or** logical operators.
8.  Set up one or more subsequent if-then conditions by selecting **Add If-then condition**.

    -   Add details to **Otherwise if** and **Then** conditions using the condition builder. For more information, refer to [Condition builder](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/platform-user-interface/c_ConditionBuilder.md).
    -   The first condition that meets the criteria triggers the default response. Priority is determined by the order of the conditions. For instance, if you have three conditions and the first one is true, the system doesn't check the remaining two.
9.  In the **Default response is** field in the **If nothing matches** section, set the default response for situations where none of the condition sets meet the set criteria.

    \[Omitted image "automate-response-add-condition.png"\] Alt text: Screen of the Automate response pop-up window, which shows theIf section, Then section, and If nothing matches section.

10. Create a script for a dynamic response by selecting the script icon \[Omitted image "script-icon.png"\] Alt text:.

11. Update the **result.value** field with the required input.

    In the script, **result.value** holds the response. The input in **result.value** must match the corresponding question type. For example, a text-type question should have a string value and while a number-type question should have an integer value.

12. Under **Additional options**, select the **Set response as editable** option.

    -   When enabled the assessor can edit the automated response. Automation conditions are evaluated when the assessment is created and re-evaluated when dependent questions change. If the assessor manually modifies the response, their entry is preserved and the automated value no longer overwrites it.
    -   When disabled the response is set to read-only. Automation conditions are evaluated when the assessment is created and re-evaluated every time a dependent question changes. The re-evaluated automated value always overwrites the current response.
    -   For a question to be marked as required, the **Set response as editable** option must be selected. If **Set response as editable** is cleared, the **Required** option is automatically turned off.
13. Select **Save**.