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Workfront Integrated Proof Approvals UI/UX

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Level 5

12/6/17

System Setup: Integrated Proofs

Description:

There are technically two approval systems working simultaneously. A Workfront approval and a ProofHQ (Workfront Proof) approver. This looks like a unified system to the user, but does not function the same. The approval system has not been integrated.

Additional Details

The Workfront Approval system uses the Approval Area in document details, and the "Ask for approval" checkbox in the updates area (for any given document). The issue is, that the initial approval your user gives, sticks with that proof for the lifecycle of that proof.

Our org. uses versions, and requires fresh approvals for each document version, so we re unable to use that approval system.

Instead we use the ProofHQ approver system, the one that is set up when you go to documents > add a new proof.

Again, in the system, they are virtually identical, and frequently co-located. There are subtle differences, but It has taken extensive training to ensure that we are using the "correct" approval system for our organization. For example, "We use Approvers not Approvals" and in the my work > approvals area; any proof that appears with big colored button UI, should be rejected and re uploaded correctly.

Proposed solutions:

- A quick fix would be to simply make certain UI features a different color.

  • The Approval box in the document details area
  • The Ask for approval checkbox in the updates area

- A more involved fix would be to allow system admins to decide which approval system they will be using, either globally or for the proofs.

Users Affected:

Any org that uses Proofs, and multiple proof versions, and the Proof HQ workflow, and requires a fresh approval for each version.

9 Comments

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Level 3

10/2/19

I personally think there is no need for the approval decision on a document. I imagine that "Ask for Approval" option which gives a user the Green approve button, Red reject button and Yellow changes button is the original functionality of Workfront prior to them owning and trying to integrate Proof. Now that Proof is part of Workfront, I believe the only approval decisions needed are the Make Decision options inside of proof.


So I will vote for this integration, but my suggested solution is that the green/red/yellow buttons disappear.


That said, if there is a use case where customers use Document Approvals, allow the green/red/yellow buttons to remain, but clearly designate above them that this is a DOCUMENT APPROVAL only. And then, do not have the green/red/yellow buttons appear at all in the Proof window (because they are not related to proof).

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Level 3

4/22/20

Yes yes yes! I couldn't vote for this enough.

Proofing was one of the big reasons we purchased WF back in 2015. And it's been a very big pain point with our team as the integration hasn't been as fluid as we originally thought.


Because of the complicated integration, we have not trained our users on how to review proofs in WF, we still train users to use the ProofHQ standalone. ProofHQ stand-alone is simpler and more user friendly than using Proof with WF. Currently, there are two type of details/actions/buttons - one pertaining to the document level and another pertaining to Proofing only. This makes it very difficult to tell the difference if you are not an admin and don't have the backstory and in depth knowledge into how WF works. Reviewers and workers frequently 'lose their way' in WF. I think Proofs and documents should be visibly differentiated more than they are now - whether thats visually differentiating them in the documents section, or creating a separate Proofing/Approvals section altogether.


I think Proofing should be the sole review/approval system and the other (legacy one) one seems to be redundant.