Find who has to approve what under a policy
Approval requirements say who must sign off before something can happen, at what level, in what order and in what form. They are often split between a policy's rules, a delegation of authority table and a separate procedure. Ask Search+ "Who must approve this, and above what amount?" and the answer cites the approval wording so you can read the exact threshold and approver.
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Last updated October 2026
How to find approval requirements with Search+
- Upload the policy and the authority table
Add the policy and any delegation of authority schedule it refers to, which is often kept as a spreadsheet. Approval levels are frequently held in a separate table that the policy points to.
- Ask about one decision at a time
Ask about a specific action, such as signing a contract, hiring or approving spend, and a specific amount or category. Approval rules usually differ by type and size of decision.
- Follow the chain to the end
If the answer says approval goes to a role, ask who holds that role's authority and whether a second approval is needed. Open each citation to read the wording.
Questions to ask about approval requirements
Above what amount does a purchase need a director's approval rather than a manager's?
Does finance have to approve before legal, or can they approve in parallel?
Does the approval have to be in writing, or recorded in a particular system?
Can an approver delegate their authority while on leave, and to whom?
What does the policy say if something was done before approval was given?
What to look for in approval requirements
Approval levels usually depend on both the amount and the type of decision. A low-value contract may still need senior approval if it is in a sensitive category.
Approvers are normally named by role, not by person, so you also need to know who holds the role today.
Some policies require approvals in a set order, or forbid the requester from approving their own request.
Policies often specify how approval must be recorded. An informal agreement may not count.
Ask about approvals the way you would ask a colleague, and Search+ answers from the policy.
Answers carry citations to the supporting excerpt, with the page or section reference when the policy has one, so the threshold you act on is the one in the text.
Approval wording you may see and what to ask
| Wording you may see | What it usually signals | A follow-up question |
|---|---|---|
| "requires prior written approval" | Approval before the action, in writing | What counts as written approval here? |
| "in accordance with the delegation of authority" | Levels are set in a separate table | What does the delegation table say for this amount? |
| "approved by two authorized signatories" | Dual approval | Which roles count as authorized signatories? |
| "may not approve their own" | Segregation of duties | Who approves a request made by the department head? |
| "subject to review by" | A review step that may not be approval | Is this review a formal approval or advisory? |
| "ratified" | Approval after the fact | When is after-the-fact ratification allowed? |
What are approval requirements in a policy?
Approval requirements are the parts of a policy that specify which decisions need sign-off, from whom, at what thresholds, in what order and how the approval must be recorded before the action can go ahead.
Approval requirement questions
Can Search+ find the approval threshold for a specific amount?
What if the levels are in a separate delegation of authority table?
Can it tell me whether two approvals are needed?
Can it check whether I can approve my own request?
Can I find approval rules across all our policies?
Does the answer count as approval guidance from the company?
Know who signs off before you start
Start a workspace, upload the policy and its delegation of authority table, and ask who has to approve your decision.
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