Submitting approval requests
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Summary of Submitting approval requests
This content explains how requesters with the approval request writer role can manage approval requests within ServiceNow, especially in the context of sales-related business items like customer quotes. It covers the process of previewing, submitting, recalling, resubmitting approval requests, and managing approval workflows effectively.
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Submitting and Previewing Approval Requests
When a business item is ready for approval, requesters can submit approval requests via the Sales Customer Relationship Management application. The Preview and Submit for approval option allows users to review the approval workflow, including conditions, steps, and approvers, before submitting. Selecting Request Approval generates the actual approval request.
Recalling Approval Requests
If changes are needed after submission, requesters can recall the approval request. This action cancels any pending approval steps and reverts the request to draft status for updates. Recalling prevents approvers from reviewing outdated information and allows corrections before resubmission.
Resubmitting Rejected or Recalled Requests
Requests that were rejected or recalled can be revised and resubmitted. Upon resubmission, the approval engine reevaluates the request, determining which approval steps must be repeated based on configured rules. Steps unaffected by changes may be auto-approved through smart reapprovals, minimizing unnecessary reapprovals while ensuring compliance with all approval conditions.
Adding Ad-Hoc Approvers
Requesters can add additional approvers or approval groups to a general approval chain when extra expertise or oversight is needed beyond the original approvers. This flexibility helps ensure that all relevant stakeholders review the request appropriately.
Overriding Approval Steps
Requesters with the approval admin role can override or bypass pending approval steps when an approval is no longer necessary. This capability helps unblock approval requests and streamline processes when appropriate.
As a requester with the approval request writer role, when you submit your request for approval, you preview it, then request approval. You can also recall a request if you need to make changes or update a request if it was rejected, then resubmit it for approval.
Previewing and submitting approval requests
When a business item such as a customer quote is ready for approval, you can submit an approval request from the Sales Customer Relationship Management application for the entity, for example Quote Management. When you select the Preview and Submit for approval option, a preview of your request and the approval workflow opens. You can see the approval conditions that will be used to evaluate your request, the approval steps in the process, and the approvers who review your request. Select Request Approval to generate the request.
Recalling approval requests
After you submit a request for approval, you can recall the approval request using the Recall approval request option if changes are required. Recalling an approval request cancels any pending approval steps and returns the request to a draft state where it can be updated.
Recalling a request helps prevent approvers from continuing to review outdated information and allows you to address issues before resubmitting the request for approval.
Resubmitting rejected or recalled approval requests
If you recalled an approval request or a request was rejected, you can revise it and resubmit for approval. For example, when you resubmit an approval request for a quote, the approval engine reevaluates the request and determines which approval steps must run again based on the configured rules and conditions.
Approval steps that are unaffected by the changes might be automatically approved (smart reapprovals) depending on the reapproval conditions set by your approval admin. But approval steps affected by the changes are routed again to the appropriate approvers. This helps reduce unnecessary reapprovals while ensuring that all required conditions are met before the quote is approved.
Once all required approval steps are approved, your business item, such as the quote that was approved, can proceed to the next stage of the sales process.
Adding ad-hoc approvers to an approval request
As a requester, you can add one or more approvers or approval groups to a chain named General, when an approval request requires approval by others who are familiar with the rules or business guidelines relevant to the request, but outside of the original approvers. For details on adding ad-hoc approvers, see Add approvers to an approval request.
Overriding an approval step
There may be times when an approval is no longer required. If you're a requester who also has the approval admin role, you can override or bypass a pending approval request step to unblock an approval request when the approval is no longer required. For more information, see Override an approver.