Before automating a workflow, choose the question to test

A useful first step in AI workflow automation is not choosing the agent. It’s choosing the question the trial should answer.

Start with one critical workflow and ask:

• What should remain stable—such as human approval, data access, or accountability?
• Where does the work become slow or unclear?
• What small trial could show whether an AI agent helps?
• What evidence would tell the team to continue, adjust, or stop?

Keep the trial narrow enough to learn from, and agree on roles and boundaries before it begins. That makes it easier to explore a new direction without treating automation as a foregone conclusion.