Role-based authorization is a method of controlling what a person or system account is allowed to do based on an assigned role. In manufacturing and industrial systems, it commonly governs actions such as starting a process step, approving a record, accepting an inspection result, changing master data, or releasing product.
The term is closely related to role-based access control, but authorization is specifically about permitted actions after identity and access have been established. For example, an operator role may allow task execution, while an inspector, supervisor, quality approver, or release authority role may allow specific signoffs or disposition decisions.
Role-based authorization is commonly used in MES, ERP, QMS, electronic work instructions, training systems, and audit trail workflows. It should not be confused with training qualification itself. A user may have completed training but still lack the system role needed for independent approval, or may perform supervised work without being authorized for independent signoff.