Approvals in ServiceNow
User Criteria vs Manager vs Group (What’s the Difference?) Approvals are the backbone of service delivery in ServiceNow. Whether it’s: Access request Laptop provisioning Budget approval HR request Understanding how approvals work is essential for proper implementation. But many developers get confused between: User-based approvals Manager approvals Group approvals User Criteria Let’s break it down clearly. How Approvals Work in ServiceNow 4 When a request is submitted: REQ → RITM → Approval → Task Creation Approval must complete before tasks proceed (if configured). 1️⃣ Manager Approval This is the most common approval type. Used when: The requester’s manager must approve. ServiceNow automatically checks: Requested For → Manager field (on user record) Example Employee requests software Manager must approve before provisioning Key Point If user has no manager defined → approval fails. 2️⃣ Group Approval 4 Used when approval must come from a team. Example: IT Security Team approva...