LLM decision guide
Agents vs Workflows
Workflows follow explicit control logic; agents delegate some next-action selection to a model within bounded state and policy.
Choose Agents when
- The next useful action depends on open-ended evidence
- Tool selection benefits from model reasoning
Choose Workflows when
- Steps are known and auditable
- Determinism and repeatability dominate
Decision table
| Dimension | Agents | Workflows |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Model-guided within bounds | Code-defined |
| Predictability | Lower | Higher |
| Evaluation | Trajectory and outcome | Step and outcome |
Example
A realistic choice
Invoice approval should remain a workflow; an incident investigation may use a bounded agent to gather evidence.
Hands-on
Test the decision
Convert one proposed agent into a workflow and identify exactly what capability is lost.