Automating Request and Approval Management

Automating Request and Approval Management

Automating Request and Approval ManagementOverviewFor most organizations, decisions are rarely made in a vacuum. Organizations require some level of structure, to ensure corporate policies are adhered to and critical decisions receive the proper checks and balances before action is taken. Sometimes this is due to regulatory or compliance pressure, sometimes it’s simply organizational due diligence.

Automating the processes behind these decisions ensures:

• Productivity/Efficiency

• Visibility/Accountability

• Standardization/Compliance

For the complete eBook, visit: http://get.integrify.com/automating-request-and-approval-workflow

http://get.integrify.com/automating-request-and-approval-workflow

The Request ProblemRequest Management Solutions Are FlawedUsually, the ways an organization handles requests has more downsides than upsides. Here are three common “solutions.”

• PaperManual request and approval processes are inefficient, error-prone and create day-to-day setbacks in productivity and morale.

• EmailEmail requests are hard to process and catalog. Attachments even moreso. Plus it just adds to everyone’s email pile.

• HomegrownFor a full explanation of the potential issues of a homegrown solutionsee our blog post “The Temptation and the Trap of HomegrownSystems.”

• Shoe-Horned Web SolutionsIn the absence of a purpose-built solution, some companies turn to survey software like Survey Monkey, Google Docs, Wufoo which are great products but ill-equipped to handle true request management.


http://www.integrify.com/the-temptation-and-the-trap-of-homegrown-systems/


The Solution: Request & Approval ManagementAutomate the entire request processRequest management systems are designed handle a large volume of incoming requests and route them smartly.

Here is the basic structure of a request management system:



Example: Expense RequestTaking the Pain Out of Expense RequestsMost organizations have an expense request process for travel,budget allocations, capital expenditures, etc. With a Request Management system it might look like the illustration on the right.

• The process is started, via an online form.

• The system ensures the proper information has been supplied.

• The completed form is routed to the submitter’s manager.

• The manager approves or denies the request.

• If approved, the request continues to Accounting.

• If approved, the reimbursement is processed.

• Alerts are sent to the submitter when denied, or processed.



A Few More ExamplesIntegrify is used across the organization• Finance

• HR

• IT/IS

• Operations

• Marketing

• Legal

• Sales



Benefit: Productivity/EfficiencyProcess more requests faster• Streamline and speed up internal processes by reducing

manual entry and request handling.

• Increase output and increase productivity for both requesters and approvers.

• Better align tasks with skillsets and assign tasks to the most appropriate staff members.

• Reduce request handling overhead and do more with fewer administrators.

• Gain back time for more strategic work.



Benefit: Standardization/ComplianceReduce Business Errors• Reduce critical errors and re-work.

• Reduce risk of improperly-approved requests, contracts, hires, etc.

• Improve compliance with audit trails.

• Reduce need for manual decision making and handling with business rules.



Benefit: Visibility/AccountabilityTrack Business Performance• Track request status (completed, pending, or in-progress,

etc.) in real time.

• Identify performance trends (group/individual) over time.

• Use alerts/reminders to keep requesters and approverson track and accountable.

• Centralize all departments on a unified, personalized portal for staff to submit forms.



Automating Request and Approval ManagementConclusionFor organizations that handle a lot of requests and approvals, whether in HR, Finance, Marketing, IT, Operations or any other department, implementing a Request Management System is the best way to ensure efficiency, accuracy and compliance.

For a demonstration of how to build a request managementworkflow with Integrify, you can watch our demonstration video anytime at:

http://get.integrify.com/demonstration-video


http://get.integrify.com/demonstration-video


Software

Automating Request and Approval Management