Glossary
Agentic workflow: what it is and how it works
An agentic workflow is a business process in which AI agents carry out the steps: they read the inputs, call tools and systems, decide what to do next and hand exceptions to a person. It differs from traditional automation, which follows a fixed script and stops when the input does not match. Most production agentic workflows mix fixed steps with points where the model decides.
Featuring insights fromShaun Devan · Founder & CEOUpdated · 3 min read
Agentic workflow vs traditional automation
| Rule-based automation (RPA, scripts) | Agentic workflow | |
|---|---|---|
| Inputs | Structured, predictable | Emails, PDFs, scans, free text |
| Logic | Every path coded in advance | Model judgement inside defined rules |
| When something is new | Fails or stops | Reasons about it, or refers it to a person |
| Changes | Re-code the script | Update instructions, rules and evals |
What one looks like
Take order entry. An order arrives by email as a PDF. An agent reads it, matches the customer and products against the system of record, flags anything it cannot match, and drafts the order for review. A person approves the clean ones and fixes the flagged ones. Native helped USCAPE run exactly this, with a review-ready order about five minutes after the email arrives.
What makes one safe to run
- A written line on what the agent may do alone and what it must refer.
- Evals built from real past cases, run before every change.
- A log of every action, so any decision can be traced.
- A review queue for exceptions, owned by a named person.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an agentic workflow and an AI agent?
An AI agent is the software that reasons and acts. An agentic workflow is the business process built around one or more agents, including the fixed steps, the reviews and the systems they touch.
Is an agentic workflow the same as RPA?
No. RPA repeats fixed clicks and keystrokes on structured inputs. Agentic workflows handle unstructured inputs and use judgement within rules.
What are examples of agentic workflows?
Order entry from email, invoice extraction and matching, insurance endorsement review, candidate sourcing and scoring, and answering inbound calls are all common examples.
