---
title: Create a program task
description: You can create program tasks from the Program form related lists.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/it-business-management/program-management/t\_CreateAProgramTask.html
release: australia
product: Program Management
classification: program-management
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 2
breadcrumb: [Create a program to manage projects and demands, Program Management, Project Portfolio Management, Strategic Portfolio Management]
---

# Create a program task

You can create program tasks from the Program form related lists.

## Before you begin

Role required: it\_program\_manager

## About this task

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to **Project** > **Programs** > **All**.

2.  Select the program from the list.

3.  In the Program Tasks related list, click **New**.

4.  Fill out the form fields \(see table\).

    There are a few fields that are populated after the task is created.

5.  Click **Submit**.


## Result

The new task appears in the **Program Task** related list on the Program form.

<table id="table_ibj_35d_br"><thead><tr><th>

Field

</th><th>

Description

</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>

Short description

</td><td>

\[Required\] A brief description of the program task.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Number

</td><td>

A system generated number with a configurable prefix.

</td></tr><tr><td>

State

</td><td>

The current state of the program. The states include: Pending, Open, Work in Progress, Closed Complete, Closed Incomplete, Closed Skipped.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Planned start date

</td><td>

The estimated date and time for the program task to start.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Planned end date

</td><td>

The estimated date and time for the program task to end.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Planned duration

</td><td>

The estimated length of time \(from start time to end time\) of the program task.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Assigned to

</td><td>

The user assigned to the program task.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Milestone

</td><td>

A milestone is a program task with a duration of zero \(0\). Use milestones to mark key dates in your program, such as key decision points or approvals.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Key milestone

</td><td>

You can define a milestone as a key milestone to track the program progress. For example, you can create key milestone for completion of deliverables such as a program plan. A key milestone is visible on the program timeline.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Description

</td><td>

A detailed description of the program task.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Additional comments \(Customer visible\)

</td><td>

Enter information that you want the users to see.

</td></tr><tr><td>

Work notes

</td><td>

Enter work notes about the milestones, impediments, or changes as the program progresses.**Note:** Users with the business stakeholder role for PPM can view this field. For more information, see [Business stakeholder role for PPM](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-business-management/ppm-collaboration/business-stakeholder-role-ppm.md).

</td></tr></tbody>
</table>|Field|Description|
|-----|-----------|
|Actual start date|The date that this program started. This date is populated after you update the program state to Work in Progress.|
|Actual end date|The date that this program ended. This date is populated after you update the program state to Closed Complete.|
|Actual duration|The actual duration of the program from program start to program closure. As with planned duration, the actual duration shows total program time.|

**Parent Topic:**[Create a program to manage projects and demands](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-business-management/program-management/t_CreateAProgram.md)

**Related topics**  


[Allocate budget to a program]()

[Create a program status report]()

[View program status reports]()