AlterLabs guides
Design a workflow that can handle exceptions
This is an illustrative workflow design, not a customer case study or a claim about measured results. Use it to discuss where automation could help your team.
Example: a new enquiry needs an owner
A form receives an enquiry. The workflow checks the required fields and assigns the item using agreed routing rules. Missing information or an unmatched rule goes to a person for review.
Keep judgment explicit
AI may prepare a summary or suggest a category. A person reviews uncertain or sensitive decisions. Customer commitments and exceptions follow the approval process you agree.
Handle a failed handoff
If a downstream service is unavailable, log the attempt, apply a bounded retry rule and alert the owner when action is needed. A manual path should let the team continue without losing the enquiry.
Avoid duplicate actions
Agree how the workflow identifies the same enquiry or repeated event before retrying an action. Test the duplicate and failure paths as well as a successful handoff.
Define success before building
Choose a baseline and measure the process you intend to improve, such as unassigned enquiries or manual handoff time. Document the observation period and limitations before making a result claim.
Scope your first workflow
Bring a real example, the systems involved, expected volume, owners, approval rules and common failures. AlterLabs quotes automation against the documented workflow and exception risk.