Choose the Right Automation Pattern

Not every workflow needs an AI agent. Pick the smallest pattern that reliably removes the bottleneck.

Pattern Ladder

• Checklist: when the process is unclear or changing weekly.
• Integration: when two stable systems need to exchange structured data.
• Script: when the work is repeatable but too specific for an off-the-shelf integration.
• Agentic workflow: when the task needs judgment, retrieval, tool use, and human review.

Decision Rule

Choose the lowest pattern that gives predictable output, clear ownership, and recoverable failure handling.