When creating an ANR, the approval chain can be lengthy. Building adequate time into the production schedule will allow all stakeholders the opportunity to weigh in and sign off on the script. At this stage, communication is vital. It is all too easy for the process to hit bottlenecks, particularly when it must be approved by several different departments or individuals. Staying connected and communicating with your client and vendor will help to keep the project on track and the approval process in motion.

Leave Ample Room in Your Production Schedule for Approval

Some approvals will be lightening fast while others will seem to drag on forever. Your best bet is to prepare for a lengthy approval process and hope for a shorter one – because you never really know. Company events, major holidays, shifting priorities, and office or personal emergencies can all create delays, and your script could end up sitting on someone’s desk or pushed aside while more pressing matters are handled.

Depending on who needs to review the script, what role legal plays in the process, and how many hands it has to pass through for approval, you may want to allow anywhere from several days or even several weeks for approval. Each case is unique and should be discussed in advance with your vendor. This is a critical element that needs to be built into the project’s timeline or production schedule.

Working with the Approval Chain

If you see that the approval chain will be long and lengthy you may try talking to your client about short tracking it for a quick turnaround. A roundtable meeting may be an option, getting all stakeholders together to review the script and make their recommendations or give approval. In some cases, having someone walk the script through the process may help speed things up. There is more of a sense of urgency when someone is standing in front of you waiting for your response.

Keep the Team on Track with Frequent Updates

Throughout the process, it is essential to stay in contact with both your client and your vendor. Share updates so that everyone stays on the same page. This gives you a great vantage point with a broad view. So, if you see a potential snag in the pipeline you can address it quickly and possibly get ahead of it, preventing project delays and missing key deadlines.

Client communication is vital throughout a project and no one knows that better than MediaTracks Communications. Contact us today and see how we can help you with your audio and radio service needs.