---
title: Assess a problem task
description: Assess a problem task to determine the feasibility of working on the task.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/it-service-management/problem-management/assess-a-problem-task.html
release: australia
product: Problem Management
classification: problem-management
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Managing Problems, Problem Management, IT Service Management]
---

# Assess a problem task

Assess a problem task to determine the feasibility of working on the task.

## Before you begin

Role required: problem\_admin, problem\_coordinator, problem\_manager, problem\_task\_analyst, or admin

## About this task

Assessing a problem task involves analyzing the scale and extent of the task, as well as its cause and effect.

## Procedure

1.  Select **Assess**.

    \[Omitted image "pm-task-assess.png"\] Alt text: new state

    The problem task enters the **Assess** state. You can confirm whether there’s enough information to work on the task or if the task should be canceled.

2.  After assessing the task, perform the action based on your option.

<table id="choicetable_yjt_n3k_wfb"><thead><tr><th align="left" id="d126204e86">

Option

</th><th align="left" id="d126204e89">

Action to be taken

</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td id="d126204e95">

**When you’re ready to work on the task**

</td><td>

Select **Start Work**. \[Omitted image "pm-task-start-work.png"\] Alt text: start stateThe problem task enters the **Work in Progress** state.

</td></tr><tr><td id="d126204e118">

**When you’re working on the task**

</td><td>

Select **Re-asses**.\[Omitted image "pm-task-reassess.png"\] Alt text: re-assess stateThe state of the problem task changes from **Work in Progress** back to **Assess**.

</td></tr><tr><td id="d126204e143">

**When you don’t want to work on the task, for example, the problem task is a duplicate or no longer needed**

</td><td>

Select **Cancel**. \[Omitted image "pm-task-cancel.png"\] Alt text: cancel stateThe problem task prompts you to complete the **Canceled reason** field, and the record moves to the **Closed** state with the **Close code** as **Canceled**.

</td></tr></tbody>
</table>
## What to do next

Complete the problem task as resolved.

**Parent Topic:**[Managing Problems](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/problem-management/problem-mgmt-lifecycle.md)