Zinc MAPS Workflow
Zinc MAPS Workflow Overview
This short demonstration provides a simple overview of the flow of materials through Zinc MAPS.
In practice, Zinc MAPS enables a high degree of workflow flexibility based on specific client requirements: from pre–specified flows and teams where process compliance is important; to more pragmatic workflows for materials where a lower level of rigour is required.
You can track the progress of this short demonstration by referring to the workflow summary below.
Job Creation
Nominated Zinc MAPS users — “Originators” — initiate the workflow process and create new “Jobs”.
During this initial step, the Originator completes key information about the item to be approved, and allocates an approval team.
Based on the system configuration, Zinc MAPS can impose rules on the composition of the approval team, or allow the Originator greater flexibility when selecting team members.
Job Creation
The Originator (e.g. a Product Manager) creates a new job.
Upload
Once the job has been created, the content requiring approval is uploaded.
It is at this stage, that references and other supporting information are also linked to the job, creating a complete package of material ready for submission to the approval team.
Upload
Content is added to the job by the “Uploader”.
Zinc MAPS enables this “Uploader” role to be undertaken by the Originator, one of their colleagues, or a third party such as a creative agency.
Once the content of the job has been uploaded, references and other supporting files can be linked to it. The originator then checks the content before circulating the job for review.
Review Modes
Zinc MAPS facilitates a number of workflow modes. The most commonly used of these are “Sequential” and “Open Access” review.
Based on the particular requirements of the review, the Originator is able to select either of these modes for each circulation of review, and can use a mixture of modes across the lifecycle of the job.
Review Modes
By using Open Access Review, the Originator can make the job available for review on a “first come, first served” basis.
In this mode, team members are able to review the job in any order, but because review is cumulative, the Originator is provided with a single set of compiled comments at the end of the review circulation.
Review Modes
Sequential review strictly enforces the order in which each team member reviews the job.
Once again, review is cumulative and provides the Originator with a single set of compiled comments at the end of the circulation.
Irrespective of the mode used, reviewers indicate their approval status on the job using simple colour–coded stamps.
Circulation Completion
At the end of a review circulation, the job returns to the Originator. This enables the approval state and any comments to be checked.
If revisions are required to the item, it is returned to the uploader and a new circulation is initiated. If not, the job progresses to the final production stage.
Complete
Once approvals have been received from the full review team, the job is moved into a final production phase.
A copy of the final item is uploaded to the job, and this is then archived along with a complete audit trail of the item including every comment made by each reviewer.
The Zinc MAPS archive is retained indefinitely, providing a permanent record of each approval.
Complete and Archive
The Uploader places a copy of the Final Item into the job before the Originator checks and archives it.
This completes the Zinc MAPS workflow.
