Made by AI CenterIndependent resource desk
FIELD GUIDE01

Updated July 21, 2026 / 6 min

Define the job before choosing the tool

Turn a broad AI idea into one observable task, owner, input, output, and review point.

DIRECT ANSWER

Start with a repeated job and a measurable definition of done. A tool comparison is premature until you know the input, acceptable output, failure cost, and person who will review the result.

Working sequence

Make the evidence visible.

  1. 01

    Name the trigger

    Write the event that starts the work, not the department or aspiration.

  2. 02

    Capture the current path

    List the present steps, handoffs, systems, and average waiting time.

  3. 03

    Define acceptable output

    Describe what a reviewer must see before the work can move forward.

  4. 04

    Price the failure

    Estimate the consequence of an incorrect, late, biased, or exposed result.

Evidence to keep

Leave with four records.

  • One named workflow owner
  • A sample input and expected output
  • A review point
  • A stop condition
A narrow job brief creates a fair test. A broad desire to use AI does not.