Data Quality Review and Approval in Databases

[Daniel Lupton]

Hi all,

Is there any way to put some sort of workflow or approval processes around the creation and modification of entries in a database?

We are moving to confluence cloud and currently use a combination of pages and compare document workflow to manage the creation, editing and approval of some of our components like control definitions, threat definitions, etc. Basically we have build a database using pages.

We would like to move to databases in cloud but a key item we have is the ability to review & approve changes to the definitions and so wondering if there is any way we could somehow replicate this behaviour in a database where a proposed update required approval?

[Tomislav Tobijas]

This is quite an interesting ask @Daniel Lupton 

I'm also relatively surprised that I haven't seen anyone else asking for this, as it really makes sense.
I did try to search if there's any open feature request/suggestion on JAC but with no luck.

All in all, I'd also probably go with linked pages to the database, as, there's a native approval feature for pages > see Approvals in Confluence, now on Open Beta (quite recent thing as well)

Anyway, I'd also suggest talking with Atlassian Support about this. You (or your Confluence admin) can raise a ticket and explaing this requirement. They will probably be able to create new ticket on JAC on which you can vote and leave comments. 🎟️
If they do so, I'd appreciate if you could share the link here.

Cheers,
Tobi

[Viswanathan Ramachandran]

Hi  @Daniel Lupton 

Short answer: Confluence Databases do not currently support native, field-level draft and approval workflows. Edits to entries happen in real time and immediately overwrite live data. However, if you are migrating from a page-based approval workflow, you can replicate approval controls on your compliance needs:

• How it works: Draft and edit definitions on standard pages using native page approvals or apps like Comala Document Management. Add a Page Reference field in your Database to link directly to the approved page.
• Why it works: You keep page-level draft/review controls, granular version history, and visual page comparisons while using the Database for high-level sorting, filtering, and reporting.