Communicate - brief the reviewers (in and out) - ensure the team knows what is expected for the review - daily stand ups to identify blocks and solutions

Progressive Approval Workflow can effectively streamline revision delays and bottlenecks by breaking the review process into focused, sequential stages. Each stakeholder group—such as strategists, creatives, and technical reviewers—is assigned a specific checkpoint to evaluate only their area of expertise, ensuring precision without overlap. Centralized collaboration tools with version control keep track of edits and eliminate confusion, while a dedicated "revision gatekeeper" filters and prioritizes feedback to ensure it is actionable and aligned with project goals. Clear deadlines for each stage maintain momentum, turning bottlenecks into a smooth, efficient workflow that upholds quality while respecting tight timelines.

One of the bigger sources of revision delays is having too many reviewers working on a document. Reviewing documents, especially technical content, isn’t taught anymore. You may luck into a “natural,” but don’t set your heart on it. Instead, streamline by assigning a single accountable reviewer—someone who understands the project goals and can make decisive edits. Use version control tools and set clear deadlines to reduce back-and-forth. Also, invest in training your team on how to provide actionable, concise feedback. Too many chiefs as reviewers? It's more like too many typos in the final draft and another document deadline falls prey to a managerial battle for relevance.

One thing I’ve learned is that you can only push forward if you have a strong plan in place, which is why a detailed descriptive scope of work is essential-especially if you get a reviewer/reviewers who can’t make a decision. If, this happens, these strategies have helped me avoid dragged out decisions: - set number of revisions(3) in SOW before starting and include the option for extra revisions to a max of (6) at an additional cost, this will ensure the project stays on track for completion. - create a slide deck with comparisons for quick adjustments/feedback - design/discussion calls daily/weekly with proper sign off and docs to keep momentum moving forward. Once approved, we move on, any back track is at additional cost.

Set clear deadlines and track progress: Know when things are due and monitor progress closely. Empower your team: Let them make minor decisions to speed things up. Foster open feedback: Encourage honest and constructive feedback throughout the process.

Revision delays are the worst! Here's how I try to keep things moving: I start with crystal-clear briefs. Getting everyone on the same page from the beginning saves a lot of headaches later. I build in checkpoints for early feedback. Quick reviews of outlines or rough drafts help catch issues before they become major roadblocks. I'm a big fan of visuals. Sometimes a quick sketch or mockup can communicate an idea way faster than paragraphs of text. I keep my feedback organized. Tools like checklists or collaborative documents are lifesavers. I prioritize revisions. Not all revisions are created equal. I focus on the critical ones first. Ultimately, streamlining revisions is about working smarter, not harder.

Deadlines help, but the best strategy we use is to clearly define what types of edits or revisions we're looking for in the various rounds of review. We establish who is best to provide that feedback and ensure those stakeholders are involved at the right stages. And, we use review meetings to make sure we, and our clients, get all of their questions answered after the initial review to make sure we address their thoughts and limit potential issues down the line.

I would: -Define Clear Objectives: Ensure everyone understands the scope, goals, and priorities of the revisions to avoid unnecessary rework -Establish a Workflow: Use a standardised, step-by-step process for revisions, supported by project management tools to track progress and deadlines -Delegate Tasks Strategically: Assign responsibilities based on team members' strengths and availability to distribute workload effectively -Encourage Real-Time Collaboration: Use shared platforms and regular check-ins to reduce back-and-forth delays -Set Deadlines for Feedback: Enforce timelines for submitting and addressing feedback to maintain momentum These will help eliminate inefficiencies, reduce confusion, and keep the revision process on track

One thing I've found helpful is having a good understanding of the people in charge of the revision. It helps to communicate with them, know when they'd be available and nudge them during that period.

Start by setting clear expectations and guidelines, ensuring all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities. Use centralized platforms like Google Docs to collect and track feedback, emphasising actionable and concise comments to avoid confusion. Establish a well-defined timeline with realistic deadlines and built-in buffer time for unexpected delays, while limiting the number of revision rounds to prevent endless loops. Assign a decision-maker to resolve conflicts and finalise revisions by a set “lock-in” point, ensuring accountability throughout the process. Regular check-ins can help identify bottlenecks early, while educating stakeholders on how delays impact project outcomes fosters collaboration and efficiency.