Which of the following is not a common CLM workflow design pitfall?

• A. Overly linear paths
• B. Insufficient branching criteria
• C. Clear ownership
• D. Missing SLA

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is recognizing which design practices in CLM workflows are pitfalls versus positive patterns, and understanding why clear ownership is a strong, not a risky, approach.

Clear ownership is not a pitfall—having explicit owners for each step makes responsibilities clear, ensures tasks are routed to the right people, and supports timely decisions and appropriate escalations. This accountability helps the process flow smoothly and reduces delays or confusion.

Overly linear paths, by contrast, constrain the workflow to a single sequence and make it hard to handle variations in contracts or exceptions. Insufficient branching criteria leave routing under-specified, so items may go the wrong way or stall because the decision points aren’t defined for different contract types. Missing SLA introduces ambiguity about deadlines and performance expectations, making it difficult to enforce timelines or measure success.