Describe the workflow through inputs and outputs
The work assignment is to recognise common architecture and operating failures before the pilot. Define purpose, owner and permitted operating boundary before the first test.
The domain review baseline covers process clarity, data quality, idempotency, approval and monitoring. Assumptions and missing information remain visible in the result.
Run a controlled pilot
- Describe the process with unambiguous inputs and outputs and check data quality using an example.
- Examine retries and duplicate inputs for possible repeated effects.
- Test missing or refused approval and review the manual fallback.
- Trigger a failure and check whether monitoring and the responsible person can identify it traceably.
Review results and failure handling
The pilot review contains concrete evidence for clear inputs, sufficient data quality, safe retries, effective approval and detectable failures. Each unresolved gap receives an owner.
Avoid: treating an impressive demo as production readiness. One successful demo example does not establish that poor data, duplicate execution or missing approval will be handled in operation.
Decision matrix
| Decision point | Proceed when | Stop when |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment boundary | Documented: process clarity, data quality, idempotency, approval and monitoring. | Scope, data or accountability remains unresolved. |
| Workflow evidence | The pilot review contains concrete evidence for clear inputs, sufficient data quality, safe retries, effective approval and detectable failures. Each unresolved gap receives an owner. | There is only an unevaluated demo without acceptance evidence. |
| Operational control | Owner, approval, fallback and next review date are defined. | Avoid: treating an impressive demo as production readiness. One successful demo example does not establish that poor data, duplicate execution or missing approval will be handled in operation. |
Keep it verifiable
Primary sources
- NIST: AI Risk Management Framework coreSource checked:
- n8n: Production AI Playbook — Human OversightSource checked:
