OIQ Operations
Why every growing company needs an approval matrix
· 6 min read
Slow decisions are rarely about people. They are usually about undefined authority. An approval matrix fixes that.
In most companies under 200 employees, decisions travel through whoever is available and senior enough. That works until volume rises — then purchase requests, hiring approvals and contract sign-offs start waiting in inboxes.
What an approval matrix is
An approval matrix (or delegation of authority matrix) defines who can approve what, up to which limit, and who must be consulted or informed. It turns implicit habits into an explicit, auditable rule set.
Where to start
- List the ten decisions that cause the most waiting time.
- For each, define approval tiers by value or risk.
- Name roles, not people, so the matrix survives staff changes.
- Publish it, train managers, and review it every six months.
Once the matrix exists, approvals can be automated: requests route themselves to the right approver, with a complete audit trail.