Map the task before the tool
Describe the trigger, the inputs, the steps, and the desired output. Note where a person currently makes a judgment. A process map helps reveal whether the task needs simple rules, an AI component, or a combination of both.
Choose a contained starting point
Look for repetitive work with consistent inputs and an outcome that is easy to review. Routing an incoming request or preparing a draft for approval can be a more manageable starting point than automating an entire department.
Design the exception path
Decide what happens when information is missing, an integration fails, or an answer is uncertain. Give a named person a way to review the work, correct it, and resume the process.
Keep people in the right places
Use human approval where actions are sensitive or difficult to reverse. Make the system’s role clear to the people using it and limit its access to the information and tools it needs.
Pilot and compare
Run a limited pilot with representative tasks. Review completion quality, errors, time spent on corrections, and operating cost alongside any time saved. Expand only after the workflow is dependable enough for its intended use.
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