In a recent InfoWorld article, I introduced the concept of the Agent Tier — a runtime architecture that separates deterministic enterprise execution from contextual reasoning. The core idea was straightforward: as enterprise workflows incorporate more signals and adaptive models, embedding contextual judgment directly inside branching logic leads to increasingly fragile systems. A dedicated runtime layer can interpret context and determine the next appropriate action, while deterministic systems continue to enforce authoritative state transitions.
That architectural separation raises a deeper question. If contextual reasoning is handled by a dedicated runtime layer rather than embedded directly in workflow branches, how should enterprise workflows themselves be designed?
For decades, enterprise workflows have been structured as decision trees. Business rules define eligibility conditions, workflows encode branching logic and systems progress through predefined sequences of steps. The model works well when variation is limited and scenarios can be anticipated.
Modern operational workflows incorporate far more signals: Behavioral indicators from digital channels, fraud detection scores, identity verification services, machine learning predictions and regulatory policy checks. These signals must often be interpreted together to determine how a case should progress.
