Structured Approvals
What:
Establish criteria, define roles, and provide actionable suggestions to bring an idea from proposal to approval.
Who:
A feedback process should involve everyone who has an interest in the problem. Use structured approvals to ensure that all of your projects meet the success criteria you have defined.
Where:
Feedback should be given in a tool allows for comments, tracked changes, and version control. A well-designed approvals process can help you make more informed and timely decisions, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.
Best Practices:
What: Establish criteria, define roles, and provide actionable suggestions to bring an idea from proposal to approval.
Who: A feedback process should involve everyone who has an interest in the problem. Use structured approvals to ensure that all of your projects meet the success criteria you have defined.
Where: Feedback should be given in a tool allows for comments, tracked changes, and version control. A well-designed approvals process can help you make more informed and timely decisions, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.
Best Practices: To achieve faster, better approvals —
Define roles.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
The recommender writes the proposal, guiding the solution through the initial discussion and drafting steps.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Team members whose feedback is necessary to vet the proposal should be consulted.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
The approver makes the final call, serving as the single point of accountability, resolving any divergent feedback, and committing the team to implementing the decision.
Establish clear criteria.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Establish benchmarks so you can track progress toward the end goals during the project.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Consider factors like cost, level of risk, ease of implementation, and return on investment as you review the proposal.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Example: Use a product roadmap to assess the strengths of a proposal and map the possibilities it opens up.
Set deadlines.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Specify when the approval needs to be made.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Avoid both making the decision too early and foreclosing valuable possibilities, and making the decision too late and missing the window of opportunity.
Gather feedback.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Everyone who needs to provide input on the decision should have an opportunity to contribute feedback.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Keep this circle of team members consulted as small as possible to avoid slowing down the decision with too much deliberation.
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6424afe83645b4f49d4b603a_Check-Fill.png)
Example: Frame your proposal strategically to get an enthusiastic yes.
Success is:
You know you've completed a successful review process when new ideas are flowing up from the relevant teams, and the Approver has the information they need to make settled decisions.
Templates:
Making it happen:
Here's how Almanac helps you structure reviews and approvals more constructively.
Success is: You know you've completed a successful review process when new ideas are flowing up from the relevant teams, and the Approver has the information they need to make settled decisions.
Making it happen: Here's how Almanac helps you structure reviews and approvals more constructively.
Approvals
Bring transparency and accountability to your collaboration by requesting final approval in Almanac.
![Finish your review](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6441ccba26c8534d59c3496e_Frame%208471.png)
Review Anything
Upload your slide decks, spreadsheets, PDFs, and more directly into your Almanac workspace.
![Select any file to review](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6441ccba2f15825de8d52427_Frame%2084712.png)
Status-based Workflows
Properties let you manage statuses, assignees, and priorities right on your document.
![status-based workflows](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6441ccbb4e822733cd1f5fc4_Frame%2084713.png)
Next: Structured Knowledge Management
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5f46d1d4db469a4b6dfa3924/6441c3f3ebb39edb59efaf64_Vector%2029.png)