16: Ducks in a row
In recent emails, I’ve been sharing the thinking behind designing a performance guidance system. A system which tells us what to do, when to do it and how it should be done. Our satnav for work.
And what we’ve uncovered in the design are two forms of workflows:
conditional workflows i.e., workflows triggered by external conditions, and
cyclical workflows i.e, workflows triggered by the passing of time.
The examples I shared were ‘making a video’ (conditional on a client requesting a video), and ‘submitting my tax return’ (cyclical based on three months elapsing).
Now, regardless of which type of workflow we use, having the workflow steps defined is not only helpful to improve our own performance, but also helpful to support others with their work.
And taking it one step further - workflows also give us the ability to delegate.
Historically, this might have meant delegating to an assistant, or someone on our team (I’ve often heard people complaining about being busy, but when you ask them why they haven’t outsourced their work, they reply “it’s easier to do it myself”).
It’s only easier because the workflow hasn’t been defined!
And yes, it does take some time up front to do this (did I mention I took a week off work to build my system?! I dread to think how much time I’ve spent tweaking - but probably not as much as it’s saved me).
And I completely sympathise - in a world that’s speeding up, who has time to document their workflows?
But this will no longer be an option.
As we move into a world in which AI can do many of our tasks, there will be a clamour from the business to define high value workflows..
As we mentioned in an earlier email (Subject: Glass half full):
“And whether or not they realise it yet, businesses are crying out for guidance on defining work so AI can be leveraged effectively."
Point in case - agents.
To build an agent, you have to tell it what to do. You must give it specific instructions, context and guardrails for each task, so it delivers satisfactory outcomes.
And this is what organisations are missing - they think AI will magically figure their workflows out.
THEY WON’T!
They can’t.
Think about all the micro-decisions. The nuance, The judgment. The critical thinking… AI can handle nuance and judgement, but only when the work has been clearly defined.
And so, not only is what we’re discussing here essential for improving human performance, it’s also becoming essential in the design of a hybrid-agentic future.
Which is why I’m so stoked to be involved in L&D right now.
Yes, there will be significant disruption.
But for those of us who can see what’s unfolding, and who have committed to doubling down on the first principles of performance improvement, we’re in a very exciting place.
And I’m excited to be on the journey with you.
Yours,
- Ant
