---
title: Life cycle of a problem task
description: A problem task is the smallest unit of work that you should perform to complete a problem. State transition of a problem task guides you through the stages of a problem task life cycle, from creation to closure.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/it-service-management/problem-management/understanding-state-trans-prob-task.html
release: australia
product: Problem Management
classification: problem-management
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Problem Management process, Exploring Problem Management, Problem Management, IT Service Management]
---

# Life cycle of a problem task

A problem task is the smallest unit of work that you should perform to complete a problem. State transition of a problem task guides you through the stages of a problem task life cycle, from creation to closure.

If a problem coordinator requires help to resolve a problem, the coordinator can create and assign problem tasks to assignment groups or users to complete those activities.

**Note:** The state-based information is available only in new instances starting from the Madrid release. Activate the Problem Management Best Practice — Madrid — State Model \(com.snc.best\_practice.problem.madrid.state\_model\) plugin. Existing users cannot activate the plugin.

By default, you can create the following types of tasks:

-   **Root Cause Analysis**: When you need to investigate the root cause and the resolution for a problem
-   **General**: For any other task

\[Omitted image "pm-task-state-transitions.png"\] Alt text: Diagram describing how a problem task transitions from one state to another state

**Note:**

You can use Problem Management models to tailor processes for specific use cases. For more information, see [Problem Management models](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/problem-management/problem-mgmt-models.md).

**Parent Topic:**[Problem Management process](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/problem-management/c_ProblemManagementProcess.md)