---
title: 5 Tips to Optimize the Workflow of Your Specifications
description: What is best for making sure your specification workflow is running efficiently? Let’s look at 5 of the best tips to optimize the workflow of specifications.
image: https://info.docxellent.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Review%20of%20the%20Top%203%20Document%20Management%20Providers.jpg
---

OPEN

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- [Products](https://docxellent.com/docxellent/products/) 
    - [ENSUR](https://docxellent.com/products/ensur-document-management-system/)
      
      [![ENSUR Document Management System](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ENSUR-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/products/ensur-document-management-system/)
      
      #### [ENSUR](https://docxellent.com/products/ensur-document-management-system/)
      
       ENSUR is an easy-to-use, configurable, web-based Document Management and quality Control Software System that will dramatically help you to improve and manage the efficiency of paper based or uncontrolled electronic file based processes.
    - [ENSUR Lite](https://info.docxellent.com/ensur-lite)
    - [Document Management 101](https://docxellent.com/guide-to-document-management-101/)
      
      [![](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Document-Management-101-Navigation-Image.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/guide-to-document-management-101/)
      
      #### [Document Management 101](https://docxellent.com/guide-to-document-management-101/)
      
      Cut the Clutter, Boost Efficiency: Dive into our Document Management 101 guide and discover how taking your files digital unlocks hidden productivity, strengthens compliance, and unleashes the full potential of your workflows.
    - [ENSUR Cloud](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
      
      [![ENSUR Cloud Document Management System](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ENSUR-Cloud-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
      
      #### [ENSUR Cloud](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
      
       Whether you’re an existing customer, a company looking to make a change in your provider or implementing your first document control, packaging specification, training management or quality system, DocXellent can provide the option of on-premises or a robust, secure and proven cloud based installation.
    - [ENSUR Case Studies](https://docxellent.com/products/case-studies/)
- [Solutions](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/) 
    - [CAPA Solutions](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/capa-solutions/)
      
      [![Corrective Action and Preventative Action](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CAPA-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/capa-solutions/)
      
      #### [CAPA Solutions](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/capa-solutions/)
      
       Easily collect, correlate, investigate and make informed improvements to your processes with our CAPA management software, ENSUR.
    - [Change Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/change-control/)
      
      [![Change Control Document Management Solution](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Change-Control-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/change-control/)
      
      #### [Change Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/change-control/)
      
       See how our document control management software, ENSUR, can automate your change control processes.
    - [Document Control Software](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-control-software/)
      
      [![Document Control Management Software](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Document-Control-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-control-software/)
      
      #### [Document Control Software](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-control-software/)
      
       Control your organization’s content across the globe or down the hallway with our flexible, secure, user-friendly online document control software, ENSUR.
    - [Version Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
      
      [![Version Document Control](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Version-Control--350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
      
      #### [Version Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
      
       Your document control management protocol encompasses a wide variety of processes integral to the continued flow of your business. Version control, and how it’s handled, is often a pain point for companies, especially those managing content with paper or a file share.
    - [Intellectual Property Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
      
      [![Intellectual Property Management Deviations & Complaints](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Intellectual-Property-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
      
      #### [Intellectual Property Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
      
       Our document management system, ENSUR, helps you manage your critical business documents with a configurable level of security and control.
    - [Packaging Management System](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
      
      [![Packaging Management Specification Data](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Packaging-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
      
      #### [Packaging Management System](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
      
       See how you can easily manage packaging documents, specifications and suppliers with our comprehensive document control software, ENSUR.
    - [Quality Control Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
      
      [![Quality Control Document Management](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Quality-Control-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
      
      #### [Quality Control Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
      
       Guaranteeing that your products and services meet the standards of your clients is easy with our document management and quality control software, ENSUR.
    - [Specification Document Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
      
      [![ENSUR Specification Management System](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Specification-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
      
      #### [Specification Document Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
      
       Specification Management is easy with our document management software, ENSUR. We can even migrate legacy content seamlessly for easy access.
    - [Training Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
      
      [![Web-Based Training Management Software](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Training-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
      
      #### [Training Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
      
       We can help exceed your quality document management goals and report on employee training in seconds with our document management software, ENSUR.
    - [Document Migration](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-management-software-migration/)
      
      [![Document Management Software Migration](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/docxellent_docmigration.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-management-software-migration/)
      
      #### [Document Migration](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-management-software-migration/)
      
       DocXellent has helped many clients, from Fortune 500 companies to smaller firms, migrate data into our  ENSUR document control system.
- [Industries](https://docxellent.com/industries/) 
    - [Biotech](https://docxellent.com/industries/biotech-document-management/)
      
      [![](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Biotech-Menu-Image.jpg)![](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Biotech-Menu-Image.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/industries/biotech-document-management/)
      
      #### [Biotech](https://docxellent.com/industries/biotech-document-management/)
      
      Biotech chaos got you down? DocXellent's ENSUR streamlines workflows, conquers compliance, and accelerates breakthroughs. Be the first to market, not the first to rework.
    - [Food and Beverage](https://docxellent.com/industries/food-beverage-quality-management-software/)
      
      [![Document Control Software for the Food and Beverage Industry](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Food-and-Beverage-350x210.jpg.webp)![Document Control Software for the Food and Beverage Industry](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Food-and-Beverage-350x210.jpg.webp)](https://docxellent.com/industries/food-beverage-quality-management-software/)
      
      #### [Food and Beverage](https://docxellent.com/industries/food-beverage-quality-management-software/)
      
      Our document management software helps companies in the food & beverage industry comply with FDA audit & SQF audit control guidelines. Contact DocXellent today!
    - [Laboratories](https://docxellent.com/industries/laboratories/)
      
      [![Quality Management Software Labs](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Quality-Control-Software-Labs-350x210.jpg.webp)![Quality Management Software Labs](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Quality-Control-Software-Labs-350x210.jpg.webp)](https://docxellent.com/industries/laboratories/)
      
      #### [Laboratories](https://docxellent.com/industries/laboratories/)
      
      Laboratory companies must control their business content in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). See how our document control software can help.
    - [Medical Devices](https://docxellent.com/industries/medical-device-document-control/)
      
      [![Medical Device Document Control](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Medical-Devices-350x210.jpg.webp)![Medical Device Document Control](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Medical-Devices-350x210.jpg.webp)](https://docxellent.com/industries/medical-device-document-control/)
      
      #### [Medical Devices](https://docxellent.com/industries/medical-device-document-control/)
      
      Our document management software can help with your medical device compliance. Contact us today for more document control information on the medical device industry.
    - [Pharmaceuticals](https://docxellent.com/industries/pharma/)
      
      [![Pharmaceutical Document Control Software Application](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/medicine-350x210.jpg.webp)![Pharmaceutical Document Control Software Application](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/medicine-350x210.jpg.webp)](https://docxellent.com/industries/pharma/)
      
      #### [Pharmaceuticals](https://docxellent.com/industries/pharma/)
      
      Our document control software helps you easily satisfy auditor requests with a document master list for FDA & EPA compliance. Quality Document Control.
    - [Other](https://docxellent.com/industries/other/)
      
      [![](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Other-Industry-Webpage-Image-350x210.jpg)![](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Other-Industry-Webpage-Image-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/industries/other/)
      
      #### [Other](https://docxellent.com/industries/other/)
      
      Unlock seamless document control in any industry with ENSUR. Whether you're looking to navigate regulatory requirements, ensure quality standards, or optimize your workflows, our powerful document management software is tailored to meet your specific needs. Learn more about the specific industries we cater to here.
- [Services and Support](https://docxellent.com/service-support/) 
    - [ENSUR Support](https://docxellent.com/service-support/document-control-software-support/)
      
      [![ENSUR Document Management Services and Support](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ervices-support_782208-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/service-support/document-control-software-support/)
      
      #### [ENSUR Support](https://docxellent.com/service-support/document-control-software-support/)
      
       The DocXellent support team is available twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week; three hundred sixty-five days a year. Our U.S. based team works around the clock to keep your business running.
    - [Resources and Information](https://docxellent.com/resources/)
      
      [![ENSUR Document Management Services and Support](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ervices-support_782208-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/resources/)
      
      #### [Resources and Information](https://docxellent.com/resources/)
      
       Need to access your industry standards and regulations? Visit our DocXellent resources page for more useful information on document control systems and regulations.
- [Our Company](https://docxellent.com/company/) 
    - [About Us](https://docxellent.com/company/about-us/)
      
      [![ENSUR Document Management System Features](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ENSUR-Features-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/company/about-us/)
      
      #### [About Us](https://docxellent.com/company/about-us/)
      
       DocXellent has been providing a trusted, web based document management system with quality control management solutions to companies from start-up businesses to the Fortune 500 since 1983.
    - [Meet the Team](https://docxellent.com/team/)
      
      [![DocXellent Team Photo](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Teamphoto-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/team/)
      
      #### [Meet the Team](https://docxellent.com/team/)
      
       Meet some of the team that makes DocXellent tick. Get to know the people who will be partnering with you in your success!
    - [Customers and Partners](https://docxellent.com/company/customers-partners/)
      
      [![Document Control Customers and Partners](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/customers-and-partners-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/company/customers-partners/)
      
      #### [Customers and Partners](https://docxellent.com/company/customers-partners/)
      
       These are the brands and organizations that have experienced the power of our document control system, ENSUR
    - [Blog](https://info.docxellent.com/blog)
      
      [![Document Management Software News](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/blog-and-announcements-350x210.jpg)](https://info.docxellent.com/blog)
      
      #### [Blog and Announcements](https://info.docxellent.com/blog)
      
       Stay up to date on product and industry updates and get an inside look at our company.
- [Contact](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/) 
    - [Contact Us](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/)
      
      #### [Contact Us](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/)
      
       Contact Us to receive more information about our product and services including document management software.
    - [Document Control Sales](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/sales/)
      
      #### [Document Control Sales](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/sales/)
      
       We are happy to answer any questions you have about our ENSUR software and we will gladly go at your pace.
    - [Contact Support](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/support/)
      
      #### [Contact Support](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/support/)
      
       We are here to help. Connect with one of our experienced support team members who can get you an answer to any question you may have.
    - [Request a Demo](https://docxellent.com/request-demo/)
      
      #### [Request a Demo](https://docxellent.com/request-demo/)
      
       Get in touch to request a demo of our ENSUR document control management software.
- [Request Demo](https://docxellent.com/request-demo/)

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- Navigation
- - [Products](https://docxellent.com/docxellent/products/) 
          - [ENSUR](https://docxellent.com/products/ensur-document-management-system/)
            
            [![ENSUR Document Management System](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ENSUR-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/products/ensur-document-management-system/)
            
            #### [ENSUR](https://docxellent.com/products/ensur-document-management-system/)
            
             ENSUR is an easy-to-use, configurable, web-based Document Management and Quality Control Software System that will dramatically help you to improve and manage the efficiency of paper based or uncontrolled electronic file based processes.
          - [ENSUR Lite](https://info.docxellent.com/ensur-lite)
          - [Document Management 101](https://docxellent.com/guide-to-document-management-101/)
            
            [![](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Document-Management-101-Navigation-Image.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/guide-to-document-management-101/)
            
            #### [Document Management 101](https://docxellent.com/guide-to-document-management-101/)
            
            Cut the Clutter, Boost Efficiency: Dive into our Document Management 101 guide and discover how taking your files digital unlocks hidden productivity, strengthens compliance, and unleashes the full potential of your workflows.
          - [ENSUR Cloud](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
            
            [![ENSUR Cloud Document Management System](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ENSUR-Cloud-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
            
            #### [ENSUR Cloud](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/)
            
             Whether you’re an existing customer, a company looking to make a change in your provider or implementing your first document control, packaging specification, training management or quality system, DocXellent can provide the option of on-premises or a robust, secure and proven cloud based installation.
          - [ENSUR Case Studies](https://docxellent.com/products/case-studies/)
    - [Solutions](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/) 
          - [CAPA Solutions](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/capa-solutions/)
            
            [![Corrective Action and Preventative Action](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CAPA-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/capa-solutions/)
            
            #### [CAPA Solutions](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/capa-solutions/)
            
             Easily collect, correlate, investigate and make informed improvements to your processes with our CAPA management software, ENSUR.
          - [Change Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/change-control/)
            
            [![Change Control Document Management Solution](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Change-Control-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/change-control/)
            
            #### [Change Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/change-control/)
            
             See how our document control management software, ENSUR, can automate your change control processes.
          - [Document Control Software](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-control-software/)
            
            [![Document Control Management Software](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Document-Control-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-control-software/)
            
            #### [Document Control Software](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/document-control-software/)
            
             Control your organization’s content across the globe or down the hallway with our flexible, secure, user-friendly online document control software, ENSUR.
          - [Version Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
            
            [![Version Document Control](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Version-Control--350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
            
            #### [Version Control](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/version-control/)
            
             Your document control management protocol encompasses a wide variety of processes integral to the continued flow of your business. Version control, and how it’s handled, is often a pain point for companies, especially those managing content with paper or a file share.
          - [Intellectual Property Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
            
            [![Intellectual Property Management Deviations & Complaints](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Intellectual-Property-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
            
            #### [Intellectual Property Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/intellectual-property-control/)
            
             Our document management system, ENSUR, helps you manage your critical business documents with a configurable level of security and control.
          - [Packaging Management System](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
            
            [![Packaging Management Specification Data](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Packaging-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
            
            #### [Packaging Management System](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/)
            
             See how you can easily manage packaging documents, specifications and suppliers with our comprehensive document control software, ENSUR.
          - [Quality Control Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
            
            [![Quality Control Document Management](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Quality-Control-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
            
            #### [Quality Control Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/quality-management/)
            
             Guaranteeing that your products and services meet the standards of your clients is easy with our document management and quality control software, ENSUR.
          - [Specification Document Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
            
            [![ENSUR Specification Management System](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Specification-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
            
            #### [Specification Document Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/)
            
             Specification Management is easy with our document management software, ENSUR. We can even migrate legacy content seamlessly for easy access.
          - [Training Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
            
            [![Web-Based Training Management Software](https://docxellent.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Training-Management-350x210.jpg)](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
            
            #### [Training Management](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/training-management/)
            
             We can help exceed your quality document management goals and report on employee training in seconds with our document management software, ENSUR.
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# 5 Tips to Optimize the Workflow of Your Specifications

March 09, 2020

![5 Tips to Optimize the Workflow of Your Specifications](https://info.docxellent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Review%20of%20the%20Top%203%20Document%20Management%20Providers.jpg?width=646&name=Copy%20of%20Review%20of%20the%20Top%203%20Document%20Management%20Providers.jpg)

Successful management of specifications (packaging, product, materials, etc) is a critical component of any product’s lifecycle. Businesses that are using spreadsheets or other manual methods of organizing, routing and distributing their specifications typically come to a point when [automating workflow](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/lotus-notes-migrated-to-advanced-document-management-system) becomes an option worth investigating. Whether you find your employees are sometimes working from the wrong version of a spec or suppliers aren’t being notified when a new spec becomes effective, there are many efficiencies to be gained when using a manual specification management process. A [specification management system](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/specification-management/) can provide transformative benefits for your product lifecycle by streamlining internal processes and enforcing data standards across your company, ensuring [quality and compliance](https://docxellent.com/compliance/).

What is the best method of making sure your [specification workflow](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/quality-capa-workflow) is running efficiently? Let’s take a look at 5 of the best tips to optimize the workflow of your specifications.

**1) Set specification standards for using structured data**

Structured data refers to any data that resides in a fixed field within a record or file. This includes information contained in relational databases and spreadsheets. Data of this type within your specification management system allows for controlled, approved values; things like dropdown lists, checkbox lists, text, calendar, formulas, English/metric converters, grids required fields, and character limits.

You know best what materials your company uses and what units of measurement are acceptable. If your employees can make any type of data entry into these documents, your information will be far from uniform. When data that does not match up, usage of the spec can be extremely confusing once it begins being utilize on the manufacturing floor. Ensuring that your [electronic forms](https://docxellent.com/products/ensurcloud/) have specific restrictions in terms of what exactly can be written and placed within the document make the specification process much smoother once this data makes it down the workflow pipeline within your company.

**2) Define a document hierarchy**

When you start to use a specification management system, it is very important for your organization to understand the purpose of each type of document, and their application in the documentation hierarchy. There are different types of documents that help make a company run smoothly. Spec hierarchy can include [Packaging Specifications](https://docxellent.com/document-control-solutions/packaging-management/) (SKUs) which include the Bill of Materials (BOM), printed components, component (common specs), masters, materials and even the related content such as procedures, work instructions, test methods, and drawings.

Here is an example of a hierarchy structure:

![Specification Management System Heirarchy](https://info.docxellent.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Capture.png?width=591&name=Capture.png)

This diagram shows the packaging specification for a hypothetical shampoo bottle with a four tier hierarchy, making use of common specs which store data such as weights and dimensions, test methods, etc., leaving the printed component level to store key info that differs for each market’s consumer unit such as brand, variant, pack size, market and language. At the top of the hierarchy is the Packaging information, containing palletization, master data and brand, variant, pack size, etc. A well organized and defined hierarchy supports the distribution, maintenance and understanding of your individual documentation,   

**3) Design and implement a workflow that satisfies these questions:**

1. Who in your company is allowed to create specifications?
2. Who in your company is allowed to see specifications as various stages of the development/approval process?
3. Does your company require peer review?
4. Can those assigned as peer reviewers edit or simply provide commentary?
5. Who is allowed to approve a document?
6. Do you have a minimum number of approvers?
7. When you build the relationship in the hierarchy, do you require that if a subordinate specification is revised, all parents should be revised?

Without addressing these questions, the workflow will end up disconnected. Employees who are not meant to review certain specifications may be granted incorrect responsibilities and documents may end up in the wrong hands. However, accurately answering these 7 questions will guarantee that your workflow is thoroughly formatted and that your employees understand their role in the process, saving you time and confusion as the workflow progresses.

**4) Consider distribution of your specification notifications**

Another important question to ask is who should be notified when a revised specification becomes effective, superseding the prior version? Staying updated on changes happening in your document management software is very important, especially if you are dealing with specifications, important work-related documents, and tasks related to these documents. However, users cannot be expected to work constantly in their document management software to manually monitor these changes.

Thus, email notifications become extremely important within a specification management system. Using email notifications, the people who are involved with a specific document know when changes are being made within the system. This does not have to remain limited to your employees. Specification management systems allow notifications to be sent out to your suppliers and vendors, helping you further streamline your workflow. Even with a built-in email mechanism, if you accidentally choose to send email warnings to the wrong people, important contributors could be left out entirely and miss important updates. Therefore, taking the time to set up an email notification system *and* carefully choose which team members receive these notifications is extremely important in keeping your workflow process running efficiently without any mistakes.

**5) Define Reporting Requirements**

The last tip you should be sure to follow is the process of defining your company’s reporting requirements. Different industries and types of businesses require different types of reporting. Most of these requirements involve full audit reports regarding who changed things within a document and when. These questions are important as they give your company the ability to solve very important business problems such as:

- Why are approvals taking so long?
- What stage is holding up a process?
- What is the average time from when you create a specification to when it’s effective?
- What members of our team/suppliers/customers have   specifications been sent to?

 When setting up your specification workflow, it is important to define the exact requirements your software will use when looking at changes being made to your documents. If your company runs into a production issue down the line, you will be happy you have the ability to go back and pinpoint the exact cause of the problem. A thorough reporting plan will decrease internal frustration, reduce the length of your processes, and most importantly, save you money.  

Specification management can be complex. But if your company follows these 5 tips when configuring your specification workflow, you can rest assured that your processes will run efficiently.

If you are looking for an organization to help you configure your specification management process, DocXellent can help. We are glad to advise you on how you can accomplish your goals and demonstrate how our specification management application can maximize your company’s efficiency. [Contact us](https://docxellent.com/company/contact-us/sales/) today.

 Tags: [packaging management](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/topic/packaging-management), [specification management](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/topic/specification-management), [workflow](https://info.docxellent.com/blog/topic/workflow)

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