Issue
Depending on the context the workflow will either run as the system account or as the workflow initiator (The user logged in an running the workflow). When the workflow is running under the user context and attempts to update or create an item on list with restricted permissions the error "The Workflow could not update the item, possible because one or more columns for the item require a different type of information" which implies a problem with the content type but can also be a permissions issue.
Resolution
- Provide enough access to the list so that workflow initiators can edit and create items
- Embed the the create and update actions in a action set , elevate the permission to run as workflow owner and publish the workflow with a user who has the permissions to create and update items.
