How to build an approval workflow from scratch
To build an approval workflow from scratch, the first step is mapping out who requests, who approves, and in what order — only after that does it make sense to configure the tool. In Jestor, that design turns into a working workflow in a few steps, using Approvals, Kanban & Pipe, and Forms.
How Do You Build an Approval Workflow Step by Step?
- Map out who can submit requests, who approves, and whether there's more than one approval limit.
- Create a Forms for capturing the request, with the fields the approver needs to see.
- Set up Approvals with the approval hierarchy and each limit's threshold.
- Build the Kanban & Pipe with the workflow's phases (requested, under approval, approved, rejected).
- Test the full workflow with a real request before rolling it out to the whole team.
Why Do Small Companies Skip Structuring This?
Many smaller companies treat approval as an informal message exchange — "just send it to me and I'll approve it" — until volume grows and nobody knows anymore who approved what, or when.
How Does Jestor Help Structure This Workflow?
- Approvals defines the approval hierarchy with a limit by amount and cost center, with no dependency on a stray message.
- Kanban & Pipe visually shows what phase each request is in, with no need to ask around.
- Forms capture the request with the right fields from the start, avoiding back-and-forth over missing information.
| Workflow step | Jestor feature |
|---|---|
| Request capture | Forms |
| Setting the approval limit | Approvals |
| Visual tracking | Kanban & Pipe |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Code to Build This Workflow in Jestor?
No, Approvals, Forms, and Kanban & Pipe are all configured without code, directly in the interface.
Can I Have More Than One Approval Limit in the Same Workflow?
Yes, Approvals lets you configure different approval levels by amount or cost center.
How Long Does It Take to Build an Approval Workflow From Scratch?
It depends on complexity, but simple workflows are often ready within a few hours on the platform.
With Jestor, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by AI. Discover Jestor at jestor.com and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.