Content approval workflow flowchart

Content approval workflow flowchart

A worked example to adapt. Rename steps, add branches and owners to match how your team actually works.

flowchart TD
  s(["Content brief approved"])
  draft["Writer drafts"]
  ed["Editor reviews"]
  d1{"Ready for experts?"}
  rev["Writer revises"]
  sme["Subject-matter expert checks facts"]
  d2{"Makes legal or regulated claims?"}
  legal["Legal or compliance review"]
  fin["Final approval"]
  sch["Schedule and publish"]
  e(["Promote and measure"])
  s --> draft
  draft --> ed
  ed --> d1
  d1 -->|No| rev
  rev --> ed
  d1 -->|Yes| sme
  sme --> d2
  d2 -->|Yes| legal
  d2 -->|No| fin
  legal --> fin
  fin --> sch
  sch --> e

About this content approval workflow flowchart

Content stalls in review queues. A clear approval workflow says who reviews what, in which order, and when legal review is actually needed, so routine posts don't wait for the same sign-offs as regulated claims.

The example fits a marketing team publishing blog posts, landing pages and emails.

Step by step

1. Brief. Agree the goal, audience and key points before writing.
2. Draft and edit. Editors check structure and style; revisions loop until it's ready.
3. Expert review. A subject-matter expert checks accuracy.
4. Legal review. Only content with legal or regulated claims goes to legal.
5. Publish. Final approval, scheduling, publishing and promotion.

How to make it in flow-chart.io

1. Start from the example. Edit the text in the generator box above so it names your own content types and reviewers, then press Generate. The free preview needs no sign-up.
2. Add the branches. Add the decision points that matter for you, for example brand review for design assets? or translations. Each decision becomes a diamond with labeled outcomes.
3. Assign owners. Save the diagram to the editor (free account) and rename steps to show who does what: writer, editor, expert, legal and publisher.
4. Share or export. Share a read-only view link: people with the link can view the diagram but not edit it. Downloads as PNG, SVG or PDF are part of Flow Pro (see pricing).

Tips

• Give each review a time limit.
• Decide in advance which claims need legal review.
• Keep one approver for the final sign-off.

Frequently asked questions

What is a content approval workflow?

The sequence of reviews a piece of content passes through before it's published, with owners for each review.

How many review rounds should there be?

As few as your risk allows. Most posts need an editor and an expert; regulated industries add legal or compliance review.

Can I plan publishing dates too?

Use a Gantt chart for the calendar; gantt-chart.io has free templates for marketing launches.

Related