An automated workflow template is the specific Adobe Workfront feature designed to standardize and automate multi-stage review and approval processes for proofs. This allows an administrator to create a reusable template with a first stage routing the proof to the user's team for feedback. A subsequent, second stage can then be configured to automatically route the proof to the manager for final approval only after the first stage is complete. This directly addresses the customer's need for a consistent, sequential approval process for their proof assets.

B. Create a global two-stage approval process with the team and manager added in separate stages

Global approval processes apply to Workfront objects like projects, tasks, or issues, not directly to the proofing lifecycle itself. An automated workflow is the specific tool for proofs.

C. Create a proof approval associated to a task in the project template assigned to the team and manager

This option implies a single approval step assigned to both the team and manager simultaneously, failing to meet the requirement for a sequential, two-stage process (team first, then manager).

1. Adobe Workfront Documentation, "Automated workflow overview." This document states, "To standardize your proofing process, your Adobe Workfront administrator or a user with a Planner license can create automated workflow templates... You can add multiple stages to an automated workflow template to manage your review process." This confirms that automated workflows are the correct tool for standardized, multi-stage proof reviews.

2. Adobe Workfront Documentation, "Create an advanced proof with an automated workflow." Under the section "Apply an automated workflow to a proof," the documentation details the process of selecting a pre-configured template when uploading a document. This template contains the predefined stages, reviewers, and deadlines, ensuring consistency as required by the question.

3. Adobe Workfront Documentation, "Configure a proofing workflow template." This guide explains the setup process, specifically mentioning the ability to "Add stages to the workflow" and "Add reviewers to a stage," which is precisely what is needed to configure the team review stage followed by the manager approval stage.