Decision Matrix
A table of approval thresholds and required signers by dollar amount or subject matter, reducing uncertainty about who may authorize an action.
A documented approval phase reduces ambiguity, enforces consistent review steps, and creates an auditable record that supports compliance and governance.
Typical participants include requestors, line managers, finance reviewers, legal counsel, and executive approvers depending on authority thresholds.
Participation varies by organization: small firms may consolidate roles while larger enterprises use multi-stage, role-based routing and delegated signatory lists.
A table of approval thresholds and required signers by dollar amount or subject matter, reducing uncertainty about who may authorize an action.
Clear descriptions for requestor, reviewer, approver, and delegate including authority limits and replacement procedures for absent approvers.
Standardized attachments such as quotes, invoices, risk assessments, and legal summaries that approvers must review before authorizing.
Conditional routing and parallel or sequential approval flows that enforce order, reduce bottlenecks, and capture each decision step in the audit trail.
Document versioning and change logs so approvers see the exact text they accepted and why subsequent edits are traceable.
Timestamped records of actions, IP addresses, and signer attribution to support compliance and defense in disputes or audits.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Approver Order | Sequential or parallel routing; choose per policy. |
| Authentication | Email link, SMS code, or stronger methods for high-risk approvals. |
| Reminders | Auto-reminders at defined intervals to reduce processing lag. |
| Escalation | Define fallback approver or automatic escalation after SLA breach. |
Ensure the platform supports standard document formats, secure transport, and basic signer authentication for the approval phase.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day trial | No | No | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |