Guide

    Approval matrix: the missing primitive in automation

    If approvals are implicit, automation becomes risky. Make them explicit: thresholds, roles, and evidence artifacts at each gate.

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    Approval matrix builder

    Turn implicit approvals into explicit workflow gates: thresholds, roles, and evidence artifacts.

    Threshold

    25,000 CHF

    Higher thresholds require stronger gates and evidence.

    Role selection

    Evidence requirements

    More required evidence increases audit readiness (and reduces drift).

    Gate config

    Needs approval

    Approval gate

    policy-bound

    gate_id=G‑50 · threshold=25000 · role=manager

    evidence=[approval_record, exception_record, version_log]

    Risk score

    50%

    Evidence completeness

    92%

    Why this is powerful

    The matrix is enforceable during execution. Approvals and evidence become workflow primitives—not policy text.

    12–16 min read
    Advanced

    A practical approval matrix

    Researched: 2026-03-05

    This guide is updated regularly. Sources are listed under “References & evidence.”

    Start with a matrix that covers the real levers:

    DimensionExamples
    Thresholdamount, risk score, customer impact
    Rolerequester, approver, reviewer, owner
    Evidenceapproval_record, exception_record, attachments, version_log
    Exception policycodes, escalation path, SLA

    Then attach the matrix to the workflow gates so it’s enforced during execution.

    Patterns (SoD, re-approval, and exception ownership)

    • Segregation of Duties (SoD): requester cannot approve their own exception.
    • Re-approval triggers: policy changes, threshold changes, workflow version changes.
    • Exception ownership: every exception code has an owner + SLA.
    • Evidence completeness: gates require structured records, not only screenshots.

    References & evidence

    Researched: 2026-03-05