AI in the Process
Where does AI change how work gets done?
Value appears when a process is redesigned around AI, not when a tool is added to the old process.
Maturity
1Exploring
Individual productivity tools. No process change.
2EstablishingExample
Assistants embedded in single process steps.
3Scaling
Agents run sub-processes end to end with human checkpoints.
4Compounding
Processes designed agent-first. People own exceptions and judgment.
Key decisions
- Augment or redesignLower risk versus bigger return
- Build or buy agentsDifferentiation versus speed
- Where people stay in the loopControl versus throughput
Anti-patterns
- Automating a broken process
- Pilots with no path to production
- Use-case lists without process owners
Measure progress
- Cycle time and cost per process instance
- Share of pilots reaching production
- Exceptions handled by people
Builds on
- Agents act correctly only on shared business definitions.Enterprise Context Layer at Scaling, needed for Scaling
- Agents in production must be inventoried and controlled.Governance & Trust at Scaling, needed for Scaling
- End-to-end agents need reliable data products.AI-Ready Data Estate at Scaling, needed for Scaling
- Agent-first processes need business domains that own them.Organization, Skills & Operating Model at Scaling, needed for Compounding
- Redesign at scale is funded by proven value.AI Value Realization at Scaling, needed for Compounding
Plays
Microsoft-specific guidance, as of September 2026.
Ratings are illustrative and pending author review.
Capabilities
| Capability | Role in this pillar | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | Individual and team productivity | Adopt |
| Copilot Studio | Low-code agents for business processes | Adopt |
| Microsoft Foundry Agent Service | Pro-code agents and multi-agent workflows | Trial |
Adopt
Proven. Use it by default for this purpose.
Trial
Production-ready. Use it with a clear scope.
Assess
Promising. Explore with a small team.
Hold
Not recommended for new work.
Known gaps
Agents that act across SAP and other systems of record need architecture work, and often partners.