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🤖 AI Feature Decision Guide

🎯 Purpose

A one-page guide to help GetCimple's 3-person team make fast, informed decisions about implementing AI features without overthinking or over-engineering.

⚡ Quick Decision Tree

graph TD
    A[Feature Request/Idea] --> B{Does it save significant manual work?}
    B -->|No| C[Standard development or defer]
    B -->|Yes| D{Can we implement it in <2 days?}
    D -->|No| E{Is it critical for user value?}
    D -->|Yes| F[Proceed with AI implementation]
    E -->|No| G[Defer or find simpler approach]
    E -->|Yes| H{Can we break it into smaller parts?}
    H -->|Yes| I[Implement incrementally]
    H -->|No| J[Consider no-code AI tools first]
    I --> F
    J --> F

🔍 Key Decision Criteria

1. User Value Test

  • Implement if: Saves users 15+ minutest per day
  • Defer if: Marginal convenience or "nice to have"
  • Question: "Would users pay extra for this specific capability?"

2. Resource Reality Check

  • Team capacity: 2 people, favor existing tools over custom models
  • Implementation time: Prefer n8n workflows over custom code
  • Maintenance burden: Choose hosted APIs over self-hosted models

3. GetCimple Alignment

  • Governance focus: Does it help directors oversee or teams implement compliance?
  • WhatsApp-first: Can it integrate with our messaging-centric approach?
  • Human-in-loop: Does it augment human decisions rather than replace them?

🛠️ Implementation Pathways

Path 1: n8n Workflow (Preferred)

  • When: Text processing, data transformation, notifications
  • Examples: Report generation, compliance status updates, alert routing
  • Time: Usually 2-4 hours to implement

Path 2: API Integration

  • When: Specialized AI capabilities needed
  • Examples: Claude for document analysis, Anthropic for conversation
  • Time: 1-2 days including error handling

Path 3: Custom Implementation

  • When: Core platform differentiator
  • Examples: Compliance scoring algorithm, risk assessment
  • Time: 3+ days, requirest careful planning

🚨 Red Flags - Don't Implement If:

  • Solves a problem users haven't complained abou
  • Requirest learning new AI frameworks
  • Takes >3 days for MVP version
  • Needs constant fine-tuning or training
  • Duplicatest existing tool functionality

✅ Green Lights - Implement If:

  • Eliminatest repetitive admin work
  • Uses existing AI APIs (Claude, OpenAI, etc.)
  • Fits within current tech stack
  • Can be tested with real users in <1 week
  • Aligns with compliance/governance goals

🎯 Quick Start Checklist

Before implementing any AI feature:

  • Can this be solved without AI? (If yes, do that first)
  • Does it solve a real user pain point?
  • Can we use existing AI APIs?
  • Can we build an MVP in <2 days?
  • Does it fit our WhatsApp/messaging workflow?
  • Will users understand what it does?
  • Can we maintain it with 2 people?

💡 Remember

AI should make compliance simpler, not add complexity. When in doubt, ship the simpler solution first.