acceptapprove

Acceptapprove is a term used in workflow and governance contexts to describe a combined decision point in which a submission must pass through two linked steps: acceptance and approval. Acceptance typically confirms that the item meets basic criteria or requirements, while approval authorizes proceeding to the next stage by an authorized authority. The concept emphasizes that both validation and authorization are required before work continues.

Origins and usage context vary by organization, but the core idea is to improve control, accountability, and traceability in processes such as change management, procurement, software development, and content workflows. In practice, acceptapprove is implemented as a two-step state or sign-off in a workflow system. An item may move from submitted to accepted, then to approved, with appropriate records and notifications at each transition. If acceptance fails, the item is returned for correction; if approval is withheld, it remains pending or is escalated according to governance rules.

Implementation considerations include clear role definitions, criteria for acceptance, and criteria for approval, as well as audit trails and time-bound service level agreements. Some systems model this as a dual-sign-off requirement, while others use conditional routing to ensure both criteria are satisfied before routing to the next phase. Benefits include enhanced quality control and compliance; potential downsides include added processing time and the need for well-defined responsibilities to prevent bottlenecks.

See also: approval workflow, acceptance criteria, change management, BPMN.