When we introduce AI into our workflows, the default assumption is often that it will automatically make things better. But "better" is a vague metric. To build processes that actually serve us, we need to be precise about what we are measuring and why. Not every task benefits from automation, and forcing AI into a step where it doesn't belong creates more friction than it removes.
To determine whether an AI step is worth keeping, we evaluate it across four dimensions: Quality, Speed, Cost, and Reliability. These dimensions force us to look past the novelty of the technology and assess its practical utility. A process might be incredibly fast, but if it requires constant human intervention to fix errors, the speed is an illusion. Understanding these trade-offs is essential for designing workflows that are resilient, efficient, and genuinely useful.
Assignment
Select a task you currently perform manually that you are considering automating with AI. Evaluate it using the four dimensions: Quality, Speed, Cost, and Reliability. Write a brief analysis of whether the automation is worth pursuing and what trade-offs you might have to accept.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the four dimensions of evaluating an AI step: Quality, Speed, Cost, and Reliability.
- Evaluate the trade-offs between speed and reliability in automated processes.
- Determine whether an AI step is worth keeping based on context-dependent metrics.
Quality
Assessing whether the output produced by the AI is good enough for its intended purpose without requiring excessive human correction.
Speed
Measuring if the AI process is genuinely faster than performing the task manually, factoring in the time spent prompting and reviewing.