From POC to AI agent

Decide when a custom assistant is enough, and what it takes to scale into agents and workflows.

Learn the pattern once. The same steps work in a ChatGPT Custom GPT, a Claude Project, a Gemini Gem, and a Microsoft 365 Copilot agent.

1. 1

   Stay with an assistant when the job is one prompt

   Drafting, research, and document Q&A still fit a custom assistant or a scheduled task you review.

2. 2

   Move up when handoffs multiply

   Several tools, changing events, or ongoing system updates are the signal to consider an agent or workflow.

3. 3

   Know what Level 3 to 4 actually requires

   Ownership, monitoring, and security review rise with the build. Prove value before you add complexity.