Patterns / Agentic AI
Agentic Workflow Architecture
Autonomous agents acting inside business processes with tools, memory, and human checkpoints.
Trigger
Agent
Tool Contracts
Human Gate
Audit Log
Conceptual flow
Problem
Generative assistants advise but do not act, so the process cost stays with the human.
Context
Processes with well-defined tools, clear success criteria, and tolerable reversal cost.
Solution
Define agent scope, tool contracts, memory boundaries, escalation rules, and human approval gates. Every action is logged, attributable, and reversible.
Benefits
- Process throughput
- Consistent execution
- Auditable action trail
Risks
- Unbounded tool access
- Compounding errors across steps
- Unclear accountability
Trade-offs
- Autonomy against controllability
When to use
- Repeatable multi-step processes
- Well-instrumented tools
When not to use
- Irreversible high-value actions without approval gates
Related patterns
Discuss this pattern
How have you applied it — and where did it break? Bring your experience to the community.
Open the discussion