While working on the Master Delivery List of Documents using the Submittals module in ACC, we have encountered several limitations that restrict us from fully recommending it to our users. Currently, the submittal review process lacks flexibility and advanced features that are critical for smooth document management and real-world workflows.
Current Challenges:
Limited Review Actions:
Reviewers cannot send the document back to the initiator for corrections.
No ability to perform multiple follow-up actions once a file is approved (e.g., move files to a target folder, trigger attribute updates, add workflow notes).
No setting to automatically include all published markups on approved files.
Folder & Repository Integration:
No option to enforce that documents be uploaded into designated folders before initiating a submittal review.
Lack of flexibility for initiators to select/change the target folder for approved files.
Need to sync submittal document numbers with the system document repository for consistency.
Workflow Automation Limitations:
No automation to trigger certain actions when all files in a submittal are approved (e.g., send to a final folder, update attributes, notify stakeholders).
Missing capability to link submittals with existing file review workflows, which offer better markup and attribute handling.
Use Case & Importance:
Our client teams expect a central document repository where all documents — including those submitted through the Submittals process — follow consistent naming, numbering, and folder structures.
For example:
A submittal for “Structural Drawings – Week 32” may contain multiple documents. Once approved, these should automatically be moved to the designated “Approved Structural Drawings” folder, with updated attributes and markups intact.
Initiators should be able to set or update the target folder, ensuring approved documents are accessible in the correct location without manual intervention.
A dashboard showing upcoming submittals (weekly/monthly) alongside their review status is highly valuable for project tracking.
Proposed Enhancement:
We recommend integrating and syncing the capabilities of File Reviews and Submittals so that:
All file review capabilities (markups, workflow notes, attribute updates, actions upon approval) are available in Submittals.
Submittals can be linked directly to the central folder structure, ensuring traceability and easy retrieval.
Automation and flexibility are introduced to reduce manual handling and improve adoption.
This enhancement will not only streamline document management but also make Submittals a truly comprehensive tool for Master Delivery Lists and project documentation workflows.
