Working with AI / 3 min read
Where human judgment belongs in an automated workflow.
A useful workflow makes routine work easier and important decisions clearer. The approval points deserve as much thought as the automation.
Future Analytics · Practical perspectivesSeparate preparation from commitment
Finding a supplier quote and placing a purchase order are different kinds of action. One prepares a decision. The other commits the business.
An agent can gather context, compare information and prepare a recommendation. The workflow should make it clear when a person needs to review the evidence and authorize the next step.
Give the reviewer the whole picture
An approval button is only useful if the person knows what they are approving. Show the relevant records, the proposed action, the expected effect and any unresolved questions.
For a supplier change, that might include lead time, specification, stock availability and total cost. The right context helps people decide without starting the investigation again.
Agree permissions before enabling actions
Define which actions the system can take, which require approval and who is allowed to approve them. Decide how exceptions are handled and where a workflow should stop.
Those choices belong in the project’s definition of done. They should reflect the consequences of the work and the people accountable for it.
Keep a decision trail
A useful record connects the evidence, the proposed action, the reviewer and the outcome. It helps the team understand what happened and improve the process over time.
Start with a narrow workflow that people can verify. Broaden it when the data, controls and results support the next step.