Choose an AI tool that fits your actual workflow
A simple evaluation framework for your next software decision.
Start with one job
Write down the task you repeat, the input you have, and the output you need. “Summarize a customer interview into a reviewable brief” is more useful than “improve productivity.” This makes it possible to compare tools on the same task.
Run the same small test
Use a non-sensitive sample in each candidate. Keep the prompt and input consistent. Record time spent correcting the output, not just the time until the first result appears. A fast draft is useful only if the full workflow becomes easier.
Check the total cost
Look beyond the entry price. Seats, generation credits, exports, storage, API usage, and overages may all affect the cost of a real workflow. Read the vendor’s current plan details and test near your expected usage.
Keep a decision record
Record why you chose a tool, what it does well, and which limitations you accepted. Revisit that decision when the task changes. An honest evaluation is more useful than a universal claim that one product is best.