Create a document approval workflow

You can request approval from other users or teams for a document in Adobe Workfront, or request they review a document without needing to approve it.

IMPORTANT
The content of this article refers to updated document approval functionality that is only available for specific accounts. For information on standard approval processes, see the articles listed in Work approvals.

Access requirements

Expand to view access requirements for the functionality in this article.
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Adobe Workfront package

Any Workfront package to manage approvals using legacy Workfront storage

Any Workflow package to manage approvals using Adobe enterprise storage

Adobe Workfront license

Contributor or higher

Review or higher

If you are using the Frame.io integration, you must have a Standard license to create approval workflows.

Access level configurations View or higher access to Projects, Tasks, Issues, Templates, Portfolios, Programs, Reports, Dashboards, and Calendars, Documents
Object permissions Manage access to the object associated with the request access or approval

For information, see Access requirements in Workfront documentation.

Create an approval workflow from the Summary panel in the legacy documents area

If your organization is on Workfront storage, you will see the legacy documents area when you access documents in Workfront. For more information about Workfront storage, see Workfront Storage vs. Adobe enterprise storage.

To create an approval workflow:

  1. Go to the project, task, or issue that contains the document, then select Documents in the left panel.

  2. Click on the document you need and the Document Summary panel for that document opens.

  3. Select the version of the document you would like to create an approval for in the version dropdown. The latest version is selected by default.

  4. Scroll down to the Approvals section, then click Create workflow.

  5. Fill in the following details:

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    Stage name Add a stage name. You can change the name to something more descriptive, such as Initial Review or Final Approval.
    Add names or emails Begin typing a user or team name to add as an approver or reviewer. If you only have reviewers, they will be notified and have the option to complete the review but no decision will be required or made.
    One decision required (optional) The first person who makes a decision completes the stage.
    Due date (optional) Set a due date for the approval. Users and teams are notified by email 72 hours, then 24 hours before the specified due date.
  6. (Optional) Repeat the previous step to add additional stages as needed.

    note
    NOTE
    If you add multiple stages, the approval workflow proceeds in the order the stages are listed. When all required decisions are made, the next stage begins and the previous stage is locked.

    Document details

Create an approval workflow from the Summary panel in the new Documents area

If your organization uses enterprise storage, you will see the new Documents area when you access documents in Workfront. For more information about enterprise storage, see Enterprise storage overview.

To create a an approval workflow:

  1. Go to the project, task, or issue that contains the document, then select Documents in the left panel.

  2. Click on the document, then click the Approvals icon on the right side of the page.

    Add approvers in document summary

  3. Click Create workflow, then fill in the following details:

    table 0-row-2 1-row-2 2-row-2 3-row-2 html-authored no-header
    Stage name Add a stage name. You can change the name to something more descriptive, such as Initial Review or Final Approval.
    Add names or emails Begin typing a user or team name to add as an approver or reviewer. If you only have reviewers, they will be notified and have the option to complete the review but no decision will be required or made.
    One decision required (optional) The first person who makes a decision completes the stage.
    Due date (optional) Set a due date for the approval. Users and teams are notified by email 72 hours, then 24 hours before the specified due date.
  4. (Optional) Repeat the previous step to add additional stages as needed.

    note
    NOTE
    If you add multiple stages, the approval workflow proceeds in the order the stages are listed. When all required decisions are made, the next stage begins and the previous stage is locked.

    Document details

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