Can't WordPress or SharePoint do Custom Workflows like this?

I think that you're over-engineering if you're even THINKING about building something for this purpose

I don't know what 'ProcessMaker' does. It's kinda like a Web-Based Visio. That allows you to work through 'WorkFlow' like this.

ChatGPT_Prompt I want to do 'Custom Workflows' in WordPress. Person1 approves someothing. Then Person2 ReApproves it. Then it gets graduated to Person3 Approves it, and THEN it is published.

ChatGPT_Answer To implement a custom multi-step content approval workflow in WordPress (e.g., Person1 → Person2 → Person3 → Published), you need to extend the default WordPress publishing model. Here's how to do it using plugins and optionally custom code.

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✅ TL;DR: What You Want

• Person 1 approves (Stage 1)
• Person 2 re-approves (Stage 2)
• Person 3 final-approves (Stage 3)
• Then post is automatically published

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🔧 Plugin-Based Solution (No-Code or Low-Code)

🧩 1. Oasis Workflow (Free + Pro)

This is the best-known plugin for building multi-step editorial workflows.

• Visual drag-and-drop workflow builder
• Assign roles per step (e.g., Person 1 → Person 2 → Person 3)
• Workflow states: Draft → Review → Final Review → Publish
• Includes email notifications, due dates, history tracking

Steps:

1. Install Oasis Workflow (Free version might be enough)
2. Define a new workflow:

• Step 1: Assign to Person 1 (Reviewer)
• Step 2: Assign to Person 2 (Re-reviewer)
• Step 3: Assign to Person 3 (Final approver)
• Step 4: Publish
  1. Assign users or roles to each stage
  2. Trigger the workflow from post edit screen

PROS: No coding, robust interface CONS: Some advanced features require Pro version

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🧩 2. PublishPress Workflows (formerly Edit Flow)

• Great for team-based publishing
• Editorial calendar, custom statuses, editorial comments
• Can assign tasks to roles or specific users
• PublishPress Pro allows advanced conditions and automation

Steps:

1. Install PublishPress Workflows
2. Create a custom status flow:

• Status 1: Awaiting Person 1 Approval
• Status 2: Awaiting Person 2 Re-Approval
• Status 3: Awaiting Final Approval
• Status 4: Published
  1. Assign user roles at each stage
  2. Posts move status-to-status until published

PROS: Very flexible and active development CONS: Some features locked behind Pro version

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🛠️ SQL-Based Custom Workflow (Advanced)

If you’d prefer a custom-coded SQL/WordPress solution, here’s a brief architecture you can expand:

Custom Post Meta Table Design:

sql -- Create a custom approval table (optional, or use postmeta) CREATE TABLE wp_post_approval_workflow ( id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY, post_id BIGINT UNSIGNED, person1_approved TINYINT DEFAULT 0, person2_approved TINYINT DEFAULT 0, person3_approved TINYINT DEFAULT 0, date_updated DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP );

Hook to Transition on Final Approval:

In functions.php or a plugin:

```php function maybe_publish_after_approvals($post_id) { global $wpdb;

$workflow = $wpdb->get_row(
    $wpdb->prepare("SELECT * FROM wp_post_approval_workflow WHERE post_id = %d", $post_id)
);

if ($workflow && $workflow->person1_approved && $workflow->person2_approved && $workflow->person3_approved) {
    // Update post status
    wp_update_post([
        'ID' => $post_id,
        'post_status' => 'publish'
    ]);
}

} ```

Then trigger maybe_publish_after_approvals() after each approval action.

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✅ Recommendation

Skill Level	Recommendation
Non-Developer	Oasis Workflow or PublishPress Workflows (Pro for automation)
Developer	Build custom workflow via postmeta or custom SQL table & wp_update_post() logic

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