Automated approvals for budget, design, and procurement

Purpose

1.1. Automate multi-level approvals for budgets, design drawings, and procurement requests in mechanical engineering workflows.
1.2. Ensures automated routing, tracking, and documentation of approval decisions across stakeholders.
1.3. Automates notifications, escalations, audit trails, and record-keeping throughout the project management lifecycle.
1.4. Reduces manual bottlenecks, enhances compliance, and accelerates project delivery by automatedly enforcing policy-driven approvals.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Submission of budget, design, or procurement request forms through web portals, email, or internal systems.
2.2. Status change in project management platforms or ERP systems indicating a new item is pending approval.
2.3. Upload of related documentation to specified folders in cloud storage or DMS.
2.4. Scheduled review cycles or trigger rules based on threshold values (cost, risk).
2.5. Direct API calls from IoT devices or shop floor management systems flagging requests for automated approval routing.

Platform Variants

3.1. Microsoft Power Automate
- Feature: Automated Approvals
- Setting: Configure “Start an approval” flow; connect with SharePoint or Dynamics 365.
3.2. Zapier
- Feature: Multi-step Zap Automation
- Setting: Trigger on form submission (Typeform/Google Forms); use “Filter” and “Path” automator actions for branching approvals.
3.3. ServiceNow
- Feature: Flow Designer Approval Actions
- Setting: Create approval flow in “Flow Designer” with procurement or budget tables.
3.4. SAP Business Workflow
- Feature: Automated Approval Workflow
- Setting: Workflow trigger via S/4HANA Business Rules for purchase requisitions.
3.5. Oracle Cloud Approvals Management Engine
- Feature: Automated Approval Rules
- Setting: Configure AME for spend or design approval requests in Oracle Fusion.
3.6. Jira Service Management
- Feature: Automation Rules
- Setting: Configure “when issue created” → “add approval step” (e.g. procurement issue type).
3.7. Salesforce Flow
- Feature: Automated Process Builder
- Setting: Create approval process for Opportunity/Budget objects using Flow builder.
3.8. Smartsheet
- Feature: Automated Approval Requests
- Setting: Set up automated workflow to request/update status on submitted forms.
3.9. Monday.com
- Feature: Automations Center
- Setting: “When status changes to ‘Review’ → notify approvers and change status upon approval.”
3.10. DocuSign
- Feature: Agreement Approval Workflows
- Setting: Automatically route documents for e-signature and approval based on templates.
3.11. Google Workspace (Apps Script)
- Feature: Automated Gmail/Sheets Approvals
- Setting: Use Apps Script to email, log, and escalate approvals on form submission or Sheet update.
3.12. Dropbox Sign
- Feature: Automated Approval Requests
- Setting: API integration for automatic document send and retrieval of approval status.
3.13. Slack
- Feature: Workflow Builder
- Setting: Automate approval requests to channels or DMs with buttons for decisioning.
3.14. Trello
- Feature: Butler Automation
- Setting: Card move triggers automated approval checklist, assignment, and notifications.
3.15. Asana
- Feature: Rules and Approvals
- Setting: Automatically route tasks for approval upon form/task creation.
3.16. Notion
- Feature: Automated Database Workflows
- Setting: Use API integration for automated status updates and reviewer assignments.
3.17. QuickBase
- Feature: Pipeline Automation
- Setting: Trigger workflows for automated approvals on form entries or project records.
3.18. Pipedrive
- Feature: Workflow Automation
- Setting: Automate deal, purchase, or document approvals via API rules.
3.19. Adobe Acrobat Sign
- Feature: Automated Signature Workflows
- Setting: API-configured flows for document routing, signature and approval collection.
3.20. HubSpot
- Feature: Workflow Automation
- Setting: Trigger approval automations for quotes or budget items via custom workflows.

Benefits

4.1. Automates repetitive approval tasks, reducing manual follow-ups.
4.2. Accelerates project timelines through faster, automated workflows.
4.3. Automated escalation detects and resolves approval delays.
4.4. Ensures compliance and traceability by automatedly logging every action.
4.5. Enhances collaboration and transparency by automating notifications, decision records, and access across departments.