--- title: Part 2: Too Many Eyes, Not Enough Clarity description: When everyone weighs in, no one owns the decision. Discover how, clear roles, and setting feedback expectations keep projects on-brief and moving forward. image: https://manageitpros.com/hubfs/Part%202%20-Too%20many%20eyes.png --- [Skip to content](https://manageitpros.com/blog/too-many-eyes-approval-clarity#main-content) [![Manage it Pros Primary HORIZ@2x](https://manageitpros.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Manage%20it%20Pros%20Primary%20HORIZ@2x.png?width=5000&height=2500&name=Manage%20it%20Pros%20Primary%20HORIZ@2x.png "Manage it Pros Primary HORIZ@2x")](https://www.manageitpros.com) - What We Do - [Services](https://manageitpros.com/services/) - [Workflow Systems & Implementation](https://manageitpros.com/workflow-systems) - [The Manage it Method™](https://manageitpros.com/manageitmethod) - Who We Help - By Role - [CEO](https://manageitpros.com/role/ceo) - [CMO](https://manageitpros.com/role/cmo) - [VP of Marketing](https://manageitpros.com/role/vp-of-marketing) - [Creative Director](https://manageitpros.com/role/creative-director) - [Project Managers & Producers](https://manageitpros.com/role/project-managers-producers) - [Content & Communication Teams](https://manageitpros.com/role/content-comms-teams) - By Use Case - [Creative Operations](https://manageitpros.com/use-case/creative-operations) - [Contractor Management](https://manageitpros.com/use-case/managing-external-contractors) - [Creative Request Management](https://manageitpros.com/use-case/creative-request-management) - [Leadership Support](https://manageitpros.com/use-case/project-visibility-for-leadership) - [Event & Campaign Support](https://manageitpros.com/use-case/event-campaign-support) - By Industry - [Startups & Scaleups](https://manageitpros.com/industry/startups-scaleups) - [Agencies](https://manageitpros.com/industry/agencies) - [Marketing & Creative Teams](https://manageitpros.com/industry/marketing-creative) - [Non-Profit & Mission Orgs](https://manageitpros.com/industry/nonprofits) - Client Stories - [OpenX](https://manageitpros.com/client-stories/how-openx-improved-the-way-marketing-work-gets-done) - [Wall of Love](https://manageitpros.com/testimonials/) - Resources - [Blog](https://manageitpros.com/blog) - [Impact-Led Project Brief](https://manageitpros.com/impact-led-project-brief) - [Project Manager Network](https://manageitpros.com/project-manager-network) - About Us - [Our Story](https://manageitpros.com/about/) - [Careers](https://manageitpros.com/careers) [Contact Us](https://manageitpros.com/contact/) [Contact Us](https://manageitpros.com/contact/) [Process](https://manageitpros.com/blog/tag/process) # Part 2: Too Many Eyes, Not Enough Clarity When everyone weighs in, no one owns the decision. Discover how, clear roles, and setting feedback expectations keep projects on-brief and moving forward. ![Too many eyes not enough clarity](https://manageitpros.com/hubfs/Part%202%20-Too%20many%20eyes.png) ## The Approval Loop Trap: A 3-Part Blog Mini Series **This post is part of our 3-part series: *The Approval Loop Trap*.** - [Part 1: Signs Your Approval Process Is a Bottleneck](https://manageitpros.com/blog/approval-process-bottleneck) - Part 2: Too Many Eyes, Not Enough Clarity Looping more people into a project feels safe. More perspectives, more collaboration, more accountability, right? Not always. In fact, when everyone has a say, no one really owns the decision. Here’s what happens when too many people end up in the approval chain: - **Contradictory feedback.** One stakeholder says “make it bolder,” another says “tone it down.” Which do you follow? - **No single owner.** Creatives aren’t sure whose feedback matters most, so they stall or hedge. - **Endless revisions.** With every added opinion, the project gets further from the brief and closer to burnout. ### Why It’s More Than Just Delays This isn’t just about slowing down timelines. It’s about decision-making clarity. When everyone’s opinion carries equal weight, the project risks drifting off-brief and turning into “design by committee.” Instead of sharpening ideas, feedback dulls them into something safe, bland, and forgettable. ### The Fix: Clarity, Not Consensus - **Define roles up front.** In kickoff, spell out who does what. A framework like **DACI** (Driver, Approver, Contributor, Informed) makes it explicit: - **D = Driver**: owns moving the project forward day to day. - **A = Approver(s)**: has the final say. - **C = Contributors**: provide input, ideas, and expertise. - **I = Informed**: kept in the loop but not actively shaping decisions. - This removes ambiguity and prevents “everyone” from thinking they’re the decision-maker. - **Be explicit about what’s being reviewed.** Say: “We need your approval on the design—copy is already locked.” Or “We’re reviewing layout only, copy is placeholder.” This prevents irrelevant feedback and wasted energy. - **Consolidate feedback before it hits the team.** Creatives shouldn’t be flooded with every contradictory comment. Assign someone (often a Creative Director) to gather, filter, and decide which feedback makes it through. - **Set expectations on feedback.** Let reviewers know in advance: not every comment will be implemented. Feedback is valuable input, but the decision-maker decides what aligns with the brief and the brand. - **Set boundaries.** Feedback windows are finite. Once something is approved, it stays locked so the team can move forward. ### The PM’s Role The project manager is the safeguard for clarity and flow. That means: - Keeping reviewers focused on the right type of approval - Ensuring feedback is consolidated and delivered in one clear voice - Nudging decision-makers so approvals don’t linger - Protecting the team from noise that derails progress Because more eyes don’t guarantee more clarity. Sometimes, they just guarantee more chaos. 👉 Up next: How to clean up your approval flow without sacrificing quality or collaboration. 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