Skip to content
Nolli
Request a demo
Nolli Learn

Tool

Four-bucket sorter

List the steps of one workflow, answer up to four questions for each, and see which steps to delete, run as plain code, give to an agent or keep with a person.

0 of 8 steps sorted

  1. Copy totals into slides by hand

    Question 1 of 4Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

  2. Re-export with the right filter

    Question 1 of 4Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

  3. Export closed-won deals

    Question 1 of 4Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

  4. Send the deck to leadership at 11:00

    Question 1 of 4Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

  5. Collect account updates from email and Slack

    Question 1 of 4Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

  6. Reconcile conflicting figures

    Question 1 of 4Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

  7. Decide renewal exceptions

    Question 1 of 4Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

  8. Write and sign off the recommendation

    Question 1 of 4Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

Weekly revenue review

Delete0

    Plain code0

      Agent0

        Human0

          How it works

          Each step goes through the same four questions, in order. The first answer that settles it decides the bucket. It’s the decision tree from our guide to when to use an AI agent.

          1. Does this step still need to exist once the work is redesigned?

            If no: Delete

            Otherwise, next question

          2. Does it follow fixed rules, with no judgment?

            If yes: Plain code

            Otherwise, next question

          3. Would a mistake be costly, public or hard to undo?

            If yes: HumanAn agent can prepare the work for the person.

            Otherwise, next question

          4. Do you have past cases to check an agent’s work against?

            If yes: AgentIf not, keep a person on it while you collect cases.
          Figure 1. Four questions, in order. The first answer that settles it decides the bucket.

          Questions people ask

          What are the four buckets?

          Every step of a workflow goes in one: delete it if it shouldn’t exist once the work is redesigned, plain code if it follows fixed rules, an agent if it needs judgment you can check, and a person if a mistake would be costly or hard to undo.

          Why does delete come first?

          Automating a step that shouldn’t exist only makes waste faster. Waiting, re-keying and chasing usually disappear when the work is redesigned.

          What if we don’t have past cases to check an agent?

          Keep a person on the step while you collect cases. Once you can check the agent’s work against real outcomes, it can take the step on.

          Who should answer the questions?

          The people who do the work, plus someone who knows the systems. Ask more than one person, because one person can tell you the wrong story.

          The guide behind itWhen to use an AI agent: sort every step into four bucketsDelete, plain code, agent or human: a decision tree for every step, with real data and a worked example.