Keep Approvals Consistent
Establish clear approval requirements for objectives and check-ins, so everyone follows the same defined process.
MBO
MBO Approval Workflows
Define who approves objectives and progress updates. Keep goal setting and performance reporting accountable with configurable approval workflows.
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Bring More Control to Objective Management
MBO depends on clear expectations and accountability. That includes deciding who has the authority to approve objectives and verify reported progress.
Spark.work brings approvals directly into objective management, so teams can follow the right process without relying on separate emails or manual follow-ups.
Assign Clear Responsibility
Specify who reviews and approves objectives based on your organization's management structure.
Make Progress Reporting Accountable
Review submitted check-ins before accepting reported progress, where approval is required.
SETUP
Configure Goal Approval Workflows Around Your Organization
Different organizations have different management structures and approval requirements. Spark.work lets you configure how approvals work within your MBO process.
- Define Approval FlowsSet up approval workflows for objective creation and progress check-ins, according to your organization's requirements.
- Configure ApproversDetermine who is responsible for reviewing and approving objectives, keeping decisions aligned with your internal responsibilities.
- Manage Approval NotificationsConfigure notifications related to the approval process so relevant users stay informed about required actions and updates.
APPROVALS
Review Objectives Before They Move Into Execution
Make objective approval part of the goal-setting process, not a separate administrative task.
- Submit Objectives for ApprovalOnce objectives are defined, submit them through the configured approval process. Each objective includes the relevant details, such as ownership, deadlines, priorities, and success criteria.
- Monitor Approval StatusUse the MBO Backlog to see which objectives are awaiting approval and which have been rejected.
- Move Approved Objectives ForwardOnce approved, objectives become available in the Manage section for active management and execution.
PROGRESS OVERSIGHT
Keep Objective Check-ins Subject to Review
Approvals don't have to end when an objective becomes active. Spark.work also supports reviewing progress updates throughout the MBO lifecycle.
Objective owners and contributors report progress through check-ins, including updated values and an assessment of whether their objectives are on track, behind, or at risk.
Where check-in approval is configured, designated approvers can review submitted updates and determine whether the reported progress should be accepted.
Keep progress reporting connected to management review, helping teams maintain accountability between objective creation and final evaluation.
RELATED FEATURES
Keep Approvals Connected to the MBO Process
Approval workflows are part of a wider objective management process in Spark.work.
Define objectives with owners, deadlines, priorities, and success criteria before submitting them for approval.
Give employees and managers access to their relevant objectives and keep progress updates connected to review requirements.
Connect objective approvals with cascading, tracking, scoring, and organizational strategy in one MBO management system.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About MBO Approval Workflows
What is a goal approval workflow?
A goal approval workflow is a defined process for reviewing and approving objectives before they become active. It establishes who is responsible for approval and helps organizations maintain consistent expectations and accountability.
In Spark.work, approval workflows can also be configured for progress check-ins.
Can MBO approval workflows be customized in Spark.work?
Yes. Spark.work lets organizations configure approval workflows and approvers according to their internal requirements. Approval settings can be defined for objective creation and progress updates.
Can different people approve MBO objectives?
Yes. Organizations can configure who is responsible for approving objectives within their MBO process, based on the approval settings and management responsibilities they establish.
Do progress check-ins require approval?
Not necessarily. Spark.work supports configurable check-in approvals, allowing organizations to determine whether reported progress should be reviewed and approved.
What happens when an MBO objective is rejected?
Rejected objectives are visible in the MBO Backlog, where authorized users can review their approval status alongside other objectives awaiting approval.
Can employees track the approval status of their objectives?
Approval visibility depends on the user's access and the relevant MBO workflow. The Backlog provides authorized users with visibility into pending and rejected objectives.
Does Spark.work support approval notifications?
Yes. Spark.work includes notification settings for the MBO approval process, helping organizations keep relevant participants informed about approval-related actions.
Put the Right Approvals Behind Every Objective
Make goal setting and progress reporting more accountable with approval workflows configured around your organization.