Automated approval workflows for supplier selection

Purpose

1.1. Automate and streamline the multi-stage approval process for supplier selection in meeting planning using digital workflows.
1.2. Ensure compliance with procurement policies and standardized evaluation criteria, automating documentation and audit trails.
1.3. Automate notifications, requests for information, and final decisions, eliminating manual follow-ups and errors.
1.4. Enable automated scoring, feedback collection, and sequential or parallel stakeholder approvals.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New supplier submission via online form or portal request, automating data collection.
2.2. Event manager initiates a supplier selection workflow, automating process launch.
2.3. Supplier change request, automating re-approval and documentation.
2.4. Deadline-based automation triggers pending approval reminders automatically.

Platform Variants

3.1. Microsoft Power Automate
• Feature/Setting: “When a new response is submitted” (Forms) + “Start and wait for an approval” (Approvals), automate routing and responses.
3.2. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: “New Form Entry” (Typeform/Google Forms) triggers “Multi-Step Approval” via Email or Slack, automating status updates.
3.3. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Builder “Automated Approval Request” sends forms to channels or individuals, automating responses.
3.4. Monday.com
• Feature/Setting: Automations “When status changes to Submitted, create approval request”, automates stakeholder workflow.
3.5. Asana
• Feature/Setting: “Rule” — Task moves to “Awaiting Approval”, triggers automated notification to reviewers.
3.6. Airtable Automations
• Feature/Setting: “When record matches condition” automates supplier submissions routed for approvals.
3.7. DocuSign
• Feature/Setting: “Signature Workflow” with automated approval steps, API triggers for next action.
3.8. ServiceNow
• Feature/Setting: Flow Designer “Automated Approval Flow” for procurement, automates multi-level sign-off.
3.9. SAP Ariba
• Feature/Setting: “Approval Workflow Configuration”, automates review chains for vendor onboarding.
3.10. Workato
• Feature/Setting: “Recipes” for conditional logic-based automations from CRM to approval apps, automates handoff.
3.11. Jira Service Management
• Feature/Setting: “Automation Rules” auto-assign and escalate supplier tickets for approval.
3.12. Oracle Procurement Cloud
• Feature/Setting: “Automated Approval Routing Rules” for requisitions and supplier selection steps.
3.13. Smartsheet
• Feature/Setting: Automated workflow “Request Approval”, automates alerts and decision logging.
3.14. Trello
• Feature/Setting: Butler “Rule” — If card in Supplier List, automate assignment to approver and checklist.
3.15. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflows “Lead/Deal Stage Automation” triggers supplier approval emails and reminders.
3.16. Google Workspace
• Feature/Setting: Google Apps Script “Automated Approval Emails” triggered from Google Forms/Sheets.
3.17. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: “Process Builder” — automates supplier review stages and multi-user decisions.
3.18. BambooHR
• Feature/Setting: “Approval Workflow” for vendor forms, automates HR event supplier approvals.
3.19. Quick Base
• Feature/Setting: Pipeline automation “If request submitted, route for approval”, automates feedback loop.
3.20. Pipedrive
• Feature/Setting: Workflow Automation "Deal moves to supplier review", triggers approval request to management.

Benefits

4.1. Automated approval workflows accelerate supplier screening, reducing turn-around times.
4.2. Automating documentation provides transparent audit trails for compliance and reporting.
4.3. Automated reminders and escalations reduce manual follow-up and process bottlenecks.
4.4. Automate multi-level and conditional logic steps, minimizing human error.
4.5. Automatedly gather, analyze, and store approvals and feedback for process improvement.
4.6. Automating vendor approval increases velocity in event planning by removing manual coordination steps.