A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlining Change Order Management with Automated Contract Management Systems
Chapter 02
Efficient Approval Workfklows

"Not having efficient approval workflows in construction projects is like driving a car with a flat tire - it slows down the entire process and hinders progress."
Chapter 2
Efficient Approval Workflows
Effective management of change orders requires an efficient approval workflow that enables timely review and approval of change requests.
In this Chapter, we'll explore the benefits of streamlined approval workflows and the key features of automated approval workflows that can help prevent delays and bottlenecks in the change order management process. With automated approval workflows, change requests can be routed to the appropriate parties, reminders and notifications can be sent automatically, and progress can be efficiently tracked to ensure timely review and approval.
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1. Benefits of Streamlined Approval Workflows
By leveraging automated approval workflows, construction professionals can improve the change order management process and ensure successful project delivery leading to the following benefits:
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Reduces time spent waiting for approvals: By streamlining the approval process, automated contract management systems can significantly reduce the amount of time spent waiting for approvals. This is achieved through automated routing of change requests to appropriate parties and the use of automatic reminders and notifications to keep stakeholders informed and engaged. With faster approvals, projects can move forward more quickly and efficiently, helping to keep the project on schedule and within budget.
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Minimizes impact on project schedules: Delayed approvals can have a significant impact on project schedules, causing delays and potentially derailing the project timeline. By streamlining the approval process, automated contract management systems can help minimize the impact of change orders on project schedules. By automating the routing of change requests and providing clear visibility into the status of each request, stakeholders can quickly and efficiently review and approve change orders, helping to keep the project on track.
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Prevents bottlenecks and delays: With traditional, manual change order management processes, bottlenecks and delays can occur when requests get stuck in an approval queue or when approvals take longer than anticipated. With automated approval workflows, change requests are automatically routed to the appropriate parties, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the risk of bottlenecks and delays. Additionally, automated reminders and notifications help to keep the approval process moving forward, ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of their responsibilities and deadlines. This can prevent costly delays and help to keep the project on track.
2. Key features of automated approval workflows
Automated approval workflows are an essential tool for streamlining the change order management process, and they offer several key features that help improve efficiency and reduce the likelihood of delays or errors. Three key features are:
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The automatic routing of change requests to the appropriate parties ensures that all stakeholders are notified promptly and that the request is assigned to the correct person for review and approval. This eliminates delays and bottlenecks that can occur when requests are sent to the wrong person or get stuck in an inbox.
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Automated reminders and notifications are another critical feature that keeps the approval process on track. By sending automated reminders and notifications to stakeholders, the system ensures that approvals are received and processed in a timely fashion. This reduces the risk of delays that can impact project schedules and budgets. Stakeholders can also receive notifications for any changes to the change order request, keeping everyone up-to-date on the status of the request.
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Efficient tracking of progress and status is a third essential feature of automated approval workflows. The system enables stakeholders to track the progress of the approval process and view the status of each request in real-time. This feature reduces the need for manual follow-up and ensures that everyone has visibility into the approval process. Additionally, automated tracking of progress and status allows for greater transparency and accountability in the change order management process, reducing the likelihood of disputes and misunderstandings.
