Editorial Manager (EM) offers an optional workflow called Technical Check. This workflow can add a task for incoming submissions and/or revisions, as configured for each article type. In this workflow, the Editorial Office or other responsible party must affirm the submission has been screened before the submission can be assigned to any editor. This feature is only activated when the journal needs to closely track the screening. Many journals will do screening without the formal technical check step.

When Technical Check workflow is activated:

• New/Revised submissions of the configured article types appear in the folders 'New/Revised Submissions' until Technical Check is done. No editor assignment is possible from here.
• Users with permission to Perform Technical Check can follow a journal specific checklist to determine if the submission meets technical requirements.
• The user can add notes in the technical check screen which then can be merged into a Send Back to Author letter.
• When the submission is updated as 'Technical Check Complete' it moves to 'New/Revised Submissions Requiring Assignment' and the Assign editor action becomes available.

How?

If you are the Editorial Office, Managing Editor, etc. of a journal with Technical Check workflow active, you may be the one designated to Perform Technical Check. In that case your Editor Menu will include the New Submissions / New Revisions folders.

1. Locate the submission in the New Submissions / New Revisions folder.
2. Select Technical Check.
3. Use the information in the Technical Check screento check the submission.

   • Journals specific instructions on this screen should include guidance on what to check and often have a link to more detailed guidelines. Contact your Journal Manager if these need to be updated.
   • A Set Flags icon is available after the Submission title if you have permission. See Submission Flags in EM.
   • 'View Submission' brings up the Author/Editor version of the PDF.
   • 'Technical Check History' can be useful to check if the submission was previously sent back to author.
   • In EM journals with Co-author verification, Author Status gives the status of all coauthors.
   • The CrossCheck Similarity Check report is linked if enabled for the journal.
   • The Duplicate check report is linked if enabled for the journal.
4. If the submission requires Author action:

   • Enter comments to the author in the 'Technical Comments to Author', these can be merged into the Author letter.
   • Enter any internal notes in the 'Technical Notes'.
   • Optionally tick 'Display Technical Notes Flag' to add a flag to the submission.
   • Select 'Send Back to Author'. See How can I send a submission back to author? for more details.
5. When the submission is ready to be assigned to an Editor

   • Open the Technical Check screen if not already open.
   • Check if updates are needed to the notes or flags.
   • Select the 'Technical Check Complete' tickbox.
   • Select 'Save and Close'.

After Technical Check is has been saved as complete

• A confirmation screen appears that includes links to return to the original folder or move forward to the next folder.
• The submission moves to the folder New/Revised Submissions Requiring Assignment.
• The person responsible can now Assign Editor.
• Technical check history remains accessible from Manuscript Details, this opens the same popup window where the technical comments can be viewed.