A Step-by-Step Salesforce Approval Process Guide: All You Need to Know

The Salesforce approval process is an automated workflow that allows organizations to approve records within Salesforce. It helps streamline the decision-making for tasks that require approval, such as discounts, expenditures, or contract terms.

We have created a video detailing the setup of an approval process for Deals in AscendixRE CRM, which is specifically designed for the commercial real estate industry.

Explore our article for an in-depth look at the fundamentals of Salesforce’s native approval process and the instructions of the Salesforce approval process setup that apply to all Salesforce environments.

What is an Approval Process in Salesforce?

Sales professionals frequently require transaction validation from internal departments like legal or accounting, typically resulting in extensive email correspondence to secure confirmations.

Recognizing the time-intensive nature of this process, Salesforce offers a built-in approval mechanism.

The Approval Process in Salesforce stands out as one of the most versatile features, offering vast potential for automating approvals across your organization for:

• Opportunities,
• Quotes,
• Campaigns,
• Leads,
• Custom objects.

With this functionality in place, approvals can be efficiently requested with just a single click, streamlining the entire procedure.

How to Prepare for the Salesforce Approval Process

To start the preparation process, you need to decide who is an Approver in your process and set up a Queue.

An approver can be a designated individual or a group of people known as a queue. For instance, we’ll establish queues for the Leasing department heads and the Legal Team.

 

 

Here’s how to set it up:

Step #1. Go to ‘Setup’ > ‘Quick Find‘ box > start entering ‘Queue‘. Select Queues and click ‘New‘.

 

Step #2. Add the ‘Queue Label‘, and choose if you wish Salesforce to send emails when new records are added to the ‘Queue‘.

 

Step #3. Decide what objects the Queue should apply to.

 

Step #4. Add Queue members (one or multiple users) and ‘Save‘.

 

Step #5. Repeat Step 1 to create the Leasing department heads’ Queue.

How to Set Up an Email Notification

Approvers receive email notifications alerting them to records requiring their review.

To initiate email notifications, an email template is required.

In our example, we’ll craft a simple text-based notification to inform approvers about deals in the negotiation phase that need their approval.

Step #1. From Setup enter ‘Classic Email‘ in the ‘Quick Find‘ box > select ‘Classic Email Templates‘ > ‘New‘

 

Step #2. Select Text Type > Next.

 

Step #3. Select a folder to store your template and check ‘Available For Use’.

Step #4. Enter the name, description, and subject of your template and the text of your message.

Step #5. Click ‘Save’ to save your email template.

 

Note that you can add the merge fields in the email body.

In our example, we added the links to a Deal record so an Approver can quickly review the Deal.

How to Create an Approval Process in Salesforce

Now we’re going to trigger an Approval Process in Salesforce so that our Leasing department heads, and a Legal Team can review and confirm a Deal.

To set it up you need to:

Step #1. Go to Setup > start entering ‘Approval’ in the ‘Quick Find’ box > select ‘Approval Processes’

Step #2. Select an Object your Approval Process is going to be applied to

Step #3. Create ‘New Approval Process ‘> Use Standard Setup Wizard

 

Step #4. Name your Approval Process and Add a Description, then click ‘Next’.

 

Step #5. Define if records, triggered by your process should meet any specific criteria, then click ‘Next’.

 

In our example, we have selected ‘Deal’ from the ‘Manage Approval Process’ drop-down list. Also, in the ‘Specify Entry Criteria’ step, we defined that the ‘Deal Sales Stage’ should be equal to ‘Negotiation‘, which means that this Dealsheet Approval Process will run when a Deal goes to Negotiation Sale Stage.

Step #6. Choose an Automated Approver and record editability properties > ‘Next‘.

 

In the provided example, the approver selection field is intentionally left blank, requiring users to manually designate the approver.

Additionally, you can define the record’s editability settings, which can be restricted to Administrators alone or extended to both Administrators and designated Approvers.

In our setup, we have chosen to limit edit permissions to Administrators only.

 

 

Step #7. Select an approval notification template: email, post, or both, and click ‘Next‘.

 

Step #8. Choose fields to be displayed for Approver on the Approval Page layout.

Step #9. Decide, display, or not the approval history information.

Step #10. Define Security Settings.

 

Step #11. Select whom to allow to submit the initial request for approval.

Step #12. Define the Page Layout and Approval Recall Settings > Save.

 

We’ve selected the Approval Email Template, which was created in Step 2.

Now it’s time to add an Approval Step to an Approval Process. Approval Steps define a sequence of approvals for a process.

 

 

How to Add an Approval Step

Step #1. Select Approval Process from the list of Processes > Approval Steps > New Approval Step.

Step #2. Add Name, Description, Define Step Number > Next.

 

Step #3. Set the records entry criteria for this particular step and click Next.

 

You can choose either all records or records that match certain criteria and define such criteria.

In our example, we’ve selected All records should enter this step option.

 

Step #4. Define a user, or a group,  who should approve records that entered this step > Save.

 

The approval assignment can be configured to allow submitters to manually select an Approver, designate a single queue, or appoint multiple Approvers—comprising Users, Queues, or Related Users.

 

 

In our approach, the queues we established in Step 1 were nominated as the initial Approvers, with additional queues added via the ‘Add Row‘ feature.

For scenarios involving several Approvers, you have the option to either proceed with the ‘First Response‘ rule, where the initial decision received determines the outcome, or the ‘Require Unanimous Approval’ rule.

We have implemented the latter, stipulating that approval is only granted if all Approvers consent, with any rejection leading to the denial of the approval request.

 

 

Following the setup, you can configure Automated Actions at various stages of the Approval Process, including the initial submission, final approval, rejection, or recall.

In our example, we have maintained the default settings for Initial Submission Actions, Final Approval, Final Rejection, and Recall Actions, which determine whether a record remains locked or editable upon approval or rejection.

 

Step #4. Activate the process.

 

Salesforce Approval: How to Check Results

Finally, we can get back to the Deal record, and check, if the process works as defined. To do that:

• App Launcher > AscendixRE > Go to Deals from the Navigation Bar.
• Click on any Deal record > Select ‘Submit for Approval’.

 

In our example, we initially chose a Deal at the Tour stage and encountered an error indicating no relevant process was available because our Approval Process targets Deals at the Negotiation stage. To proceed, we must first update the Deal’s Sales Stage to Negotiation.

 

Upon successful submission, the Approval History is automatically updated to document the submitter, their comments, and the designated Approvers.

Note that if a record includes Notes and Attachments, they are not directly viewable in the approval form. Approvers need to visit the actual Deal record to access these attachments.

 

Next, we’ll examine the email notification sent to Approvers, which alerts them to items pending their approval.

 

The initial link in the email notification directs Approvers to the Deal’s record; however, this view does not facilitate the approval or rejection actions.

For an efficient review, Approvers should use the provided links to access the records specifically queued for approval.

 

 

On the approval record, Approvers are presented with key Deal information, as configured in Step 3 of the Approval Process setup. Here, they can decide to approve or reject the Deal and add any pertinent comments.

 

Modifications can be reviewed on the Deal Record’s Related Page.

 

To gain a comprehensive understanding of how the Salesforce approval process operates, view our detailed YouTube tutorial.

About Ascendix Technologies

Ascendix offers specialized Salesforce services tailored to enhance sales productivity, streamline departmental collaboration, and improve CRM efficiency. Our expertise ranges from strategic consultation to custom Salesforce development.

Our Salesforce consultants will assist you in selecting the ideal tools and features to fine-tune your Salesforce environment, focusing on transformative strategies that bolster data-driven services and foster comprehensive customer engagement.

With our in-depth experience, we empower your platform with customized workflow approval processes, advanced performance management, and insightful reporting. Our integration services ensure a seamless blend with third-party apps and other systems, facilitating your growth and technological evolution.

Additionally, we specialize in developing custom Salesforce applications that not only fulfill your specific business requirements but also prepare you for listing on the AppExchange.

At Ascendix, we cultivate a culture of productivity and unity across all departments within Salesforce’s cohesive platform.

Need a comprehensive tutorial on how to set up the approval process in Salesforce?

Book a free CRM consultation with our seasoned industry professionals to leverage advanced solutions for your business needs.