After building 150+ workflows for clients, we've identified the most impactful optimization strategies. Here are our top 10.
1. Map before you automate. Document every step of your current process before building workflows.
2. Start with the 80/20 rule. Identify the 20% of tasks that consume 80% of your time.
3. Use parallel execution. Run independent workflow branches simultaneously instead of sequentially.
4. Implement smart error handling. Build retry logic and fallback paths for every critical node.
5. Monitor proactively. Set up alerts for workflow failures before they impact your business.
6. Cache frequently accessed data. Reduce API calls by storing commonly needed data locally.
7. Use conditional routing. Skip unnecessary steps by routing data based on conditions.
8. Batch process when possible. Group similar operations together to reduce overhead.
9. Version your workflows. Keep backups of working configurations before making changes.
10. Review and iterate monthly. Schedule regular optimization reviews to keep workflows efficient.