Understanding approval workflows

An approval workflow decides who needs to approve something, and in what order.

How it works

• When an item is submitted, it follows a workflow with one or more levels, in order.
• Each level has an approver — for example, your manager, a team lead, or a specific person. Some levels are reviewers, who see the item but don't block it.
• The item moves to the next level only after the current blocking level approves.
• Amount ranges and rules decide which levels apply. Small amounts might auto-approve; large amounts might need extra levels.
• If an approver rejects, the item stops and goes back to the submitter to fix and resubmit.
• If an approver doesn't act in time, the workflow can escalate and notify someone else.

Seeing where your item is

On any item, the approvals timeline shows each level, who's assigned, and its status — Approved, Pending (the current level), or Waiting (a future level).

Note: Workflows are set up by administrators in the Compliance Hub. As an approver or employee, you see the chain and where your item sits, but you don't configure it.