What is the best way to set up an approval system for a new digital asset?

The most effective way to set up an approval system for a new digital asset is to utilize a Workflow. Workflows in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) are designed to manage the lifecycle of content and assets, allowing users to define specific steps for reviewing and approving digital assets. With Workflows, you can route assets through predetermined paths that involve various stakeholders, ensuring that the right people review the assets at the right time.

Workflows enable automation of approval processes, which helps in maintaining efficiency and accountability. They also provide visibility into the status of assets, allowing participants to know where the asset is in the approval cycle. This structured approach helps avoid bottlenecks and ensures that assets are vetted properly before publication.

In contrast, Adobe Drive and Adobe Bridge primarily focus on asset management and editing, rather than on the approval process. Creating a custom component could allow for some level of asset management, but it would require significant development effort and might not leverage the out-of-the-box capabilities that Workflows provide in AEM, particularly for approvals. Therefore, Workflows are the most appropriate tool for setting up a formal approval system for digital assets within Adobe Experience Manager.