Task Types

Learn more about different task types, how to use them, and their attributes and behaviors.

Cutover Documentation Team avatar
Written by Cutover Documentation Team
Updated over a week ago

This article and video explores the different task types available in the Cutover platform, what each of them are and how they can be used in your runbook.

Task Types


When a user creates a task, they must specify the kind of task it is. A number of default task types are made available for all accounts. These task types include:

A Normal task is an activity assigned to a User or Team(s), with duration. Users start the task with a single click, execute activity, and then complete the task with a single click.

An SMS task has zero duration and can be completed with a single click. When a user has been assigned to an SMS task as a recipient, a message of up to 1600 characters can be created and sent during a run.

A Milestone has zero duration, and is typically used to capture key milestones in your plan. Milestones show up in the runbook dashboard and thus consideration should be given to how you want to make use of this task type for reporting.

A Call task has zero duration. When a user has been assigned to a Call task as a recipient, a formatted message can be created and spoken over a telephone call

An Email task has zero duration, and can be completed with a single click. When a user, or team, have been assigned to an Email task as a recipient, a formatted message can be created and sent during a run at a specific point in the runbook. Recipients and content are set in the task edit panel, by clicking "Settings". A test message can be sent during the phase if desired.

A Validation task requires a response from the user upon completion that is recorded and enables a result to be captured ie: Pass, Fail, Not Tested, with optional commentary. The Test Summary dashboard captures the result selected for any validation tasks. Users start the task with a single click, execute activity, and then complete the task with a single click, capturing an appropriate response.

Custom task types can be associated with integrations to over 20 tools. Please reach out to your Customer Success Manager or our Support team, to learn more about this feature.

Branching tasks allow optional execution of one or more legs, or branches of a runbook. More information can be found here. They are not currently one of the default task types available to users of Cutover. The branching and branch header task types can though be enabled very easily if this is not already available to you. Contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM) or get in touch with our Support team via the in-app chat. Our Support team can also be reached at support@cutover.com.

A Checklist task includes a due date and has zero duration, and is therefore typically used to capture activity such as check-list items you complete before embarking on the core activity of the runbook.

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