Before automating a workflow with AI, ask if anyone understands it end to end
djgoel123 · reddit · 2026-11-02
The author argues most automation projects start with tools instead of understanding the real workflow. Documented processes often hide manual checks, exception handling, and human approvals that constitute much of the actual work.
Recommended approach:
- Map the real workflow including exceptions before choosing tools
- Split tasks into three buckets: predictable steps for conventional automation, tasks where AI genuinely helps interpret unstructured information, and decisions requiring human judgment
- The goal is fewer errors and less manual effort, not more AI
Sometimes a reliable API integration with clear business rules beats an agent — not every workflow needs AI.
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