Automate, Delegate or Keep Human? A Work-Design Checklist

Classify the task

Score volume, variation, consequence of error, reversibility, data sensitivity, explanation need and dependence on tacit context. A frequent task is not automatically a safe task to automate.

Mark where inputs are incomplete or contested. Those cases often need escalation or a human-led route even if routine cases use automation.

Choose among four options

Automate a stable process, delegate ownership to a capable person, augment a person with tool support, or keep the task wholly human. State why the chosen option is better than the current method.

• Automate: repeatable, testable and low-consequence
• Delegate: transferable ownership with context and authority
• Augment: machine speed plus informed human judgement
• Keep human: high-consequence, relational or norm-setting work

Test the whole workflow

NIST recommends mapping context, measuring risk and managing it throughout use. Test representative inputs, rare cases, security, bias, explanations and failure recovery. Measure total process time, including review and rework.

The ILO's research is about exposure potential, not an instruction to automate. Worker knowledge is needed to identify hidden exceptions and quality standards.

Name the accountable person

Give the reviewer access to source material, enough time and the authority to reject output. Record the system version, decision and override where consequences justify it.

Employment, privacy and sector rules vary. Consequential decisions about applicants, workers or customers need specialist review.