Map
Start with the real workflow
The first step is not prompting. It is identifying the manual steps, handoffs, exceptions, and business rules that make the work expensive.
Connect
Use the tools already in play
The build usually sits across the systems the team already runs on: CRM, support, docs, spreadsheets, APIs, inboxes, and internal tools.
Structure
Apply AI where it belongs
AI handles extraction, summarization, drafting, retrieval, and decision support. Deterministic logic handles routing, permissions, state, and controls.
Control
Add review, logging, and fallback
Production systems need human review paths, confidence thresholds, audit trails, and visible failure handling. Otherwise it is a demo.