There are two kinds of reviewers that can return a proof with a single clear to-do list: a gatekeeper and the approver.
Gatekeepers can be positioned anywhere in the workflow, and you can have as many as you like.
They’re responsible for deciding whether the proof will continue through the workflow, or be returned to the proof owner then and there with a to-do list for action.
If you’d like the proof to be internally checked before it moves on, a gatekeeper is perfect at the beginning of the workflow.
If a department head needs to check the proof before another team reviews it, add a gatekeeper.
Your workflow is how you’d like to design it, but if you need some advice just ask a PageProof expert.
The approver is positioned at the end of the proof’s workflow. They see the proof after all the other mandatory reviewers have finished their proofing.
The approver has an important role on your proof. They’re responsible for looking through all comments, clarifying instructions if needed, and marking the comments to be actioned as a to-do.
If there are no comments to be marked as to-dos, and if they like what they see, they’ll approve the proof.
This person might be your colleague, a department head, a marketing manager, your boss, or a client...But it most likely isn’t you. As the owner of the proof, you are always in control of the amends you make to your work.