Approval workflow: Cut approval time and eliminate bottlenecks
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An approval workflow defines who reviews requests and in what order. Nutrient Workflow lets you build approval workflows in minutes, route requests automatically, and track every approval in real time — no coding required.
When employees spend more time tracking down paperwork, forwarding emails, and making phone calls than doing real work, your approval workflow needs automation.
Many departments still rely on manual methods for approval requests. These processes create delays and lack the transparency and audit trails that compliance requires.
Departments often build their own approval processes because:
- Each department has unique approval requirements
- IT departments are overwhelmed with requests
- Business users lack technical expertise to build solutions
- Teams don’t know what software options exist
What an automated approval workflow provides
With Nutrient Workflow managing your approval workflow:
- Employees — Submit requests through a portal and track progress in real time
- Approvers — Review and approve requests online or via email link
- Managers — Monitor approval performance and identify bottlenecks
- Auditors — Access complete records of who approved what, when, and why
- Administrators — Create and modify approval workflows as requirements change
- Alternate approvers — Handle requests during vacations or travel
Approval workflow example
This capital expenditure approval workflow shows a multitiered process with multiple approvers at each stage. The customer built this custom flow quickly using drag and drop, including all required forms.
How approval workflows reduce errors
Miscommunication drops when everyone’s role in the approval workflow is transparent and defined. Forms, documents, and information route to the right person automatically — no more forwarding emails around the company.
Nutrient Workflow features:
- Drag-and-drop builder — Create approval workflows that mirror your existing process, or build new ones
- Business rules — Route requests based on amount, department, or other criteria
- Approval by email — Approvers can review and approve directly from email notifications
- Conditional logic — Skip steps or add approvers based on request data
- Escalation rules — Automatically escalate overdue approvals
Common approval workflow types
| Department | Common approval workflows |
|---|---|
| Finance | CapEx requests, expense reports, budget approvals, invoice approvals |
| HR | Time off requests, new hire approvals, salary changes, employee onboarding |
| IT | Access requests, change requests, software purchases, security incidents |
| Procurement | Purchase orders, vendor approvals, contract reviews |
| Legal | Contract approvals, NDA reviews, compliance sign-offs |
Get started with Nutrient Workflow
Stop chasing approvals through email. Nutrient Workflow lets you build your first approval workflow in minutes and see results immediately. Start a free trial or request a demo.
FAQ
An approval workflow defines who reviews a request and in what order. It routes requests automatically from submission through final sign-off.
Nutrient Workflow provides a drag-and-drop builder to create custom approval workflows. You can set routing rules, add conditional logic, and configure email approvals — all without coding.
Yes. Nutrient Workflow supports conditional routing based on amount, department, request type, or any form field. For example, requests over $10,000 can require additional approvals.
Administrators can designate alternate approvers and set escalation rules. Overdue approvals automatically route to alternates or managers.
Most customers have their first approval workflow live within a few weeks. The Nutrient Workflow Customer Success team provides hands-on support during setup.
