I worked on a manuscript for many years. During that time, I was independent, so I could make changes and decisions, without documenting or informing or getting permission.
I may soon be working to finish this under contract. How does the process of making changes look? Do I need to keep the publisher constantly in the loop, get permission first, etc.? Is that appropriate or commonplace for the author to present the publisher with his/her own "to do list" of tasks/changes he/she already knows needs to get done?