Why Assumptions Are Costly

When it comes to automating workflows in Autodesk Inventor, one of the most critical, yet often underestimated, steps is correctly mapping out the entire process before writing a single line of code. It sounds simple: define the steps, build the automation, done. But in reality, things rarely unfold that cleanly.

Why? Because people assume.

Clients often come to us with a clear goal: “We want to automate this process.” But what many don’t realize is what automation truly means in practice. To automate something means you’re asking a machine to do a task exactly the way a human would - without interpretation, intuition, or guesswork. Every step must be defined. Every condition must be stated. Nothing is too obvious to leave out.

It’s like trying to teach someone how to tie their shoes - but you can only use written instructions. No demonstration. No filling in the blanks. Suddenly, “loop it around” or “pull tight” becomes ambiguous. Automation works the same way. If a step isn’t clearly defined, the system will either do the wrong thing or fail completely.

The Cost of Assumptions: A Real-World Anecdote

Not long ago, we were working with a client on developing an Autodesk Inventor add-in. They gave us what seemed like a solid breakdown of their process - inputs, operations, outputs. Confident in their description, we got to work and began building the automation accordingly.

Midway through development, something happened. During a check-in, we brought in a few team members from the workshop who actually used the process daily. That’s when the discrepancies started to appear.

Turns out, there were multiple “extra” steps the shop floor always followed - steps so ingrained in their day-to-day work that no one had thought to mention them. They were considered too obvious. Things like manual adjustments to specific features, naming conventions for certain files, or tweaks based on client preferences. None of that was in the original spec.

The outcome? A painful rewrite of most of the code. We had to backtrack, rebuild logic, and revalidate parts of the tool - all of which could’ve been avoided with a more detailed upfront process mapping.

Lessons Learned: Steps to Properly Map the Automation Process

Here’s how we now approach every automation project - and how you should, too:

1. Start With Observation, Not Just Documentation
   Process documents are often idealized. Watch how the work actually happens. Sit with the users, observe variations, and ask them to describe why they do what they do, especially when things don’t go as planned.

2. Involve the Right People from the Start
   Decision-makers may define the process, but it’s the users who live it. To capture what really happens, bring in a cross-section of the team - designers, engineers, shop floor workers - everyone who is involved in the process.

3. Visualize the Entire Process
   Use flowcharts to map every single step. Even the ones that seem “obvious.” If you’re unsure how detailed you need to be, try explaining how to tie your shoes to someone who’s never done it before, and can only do exactly what you say. That’s the level of clarity automation needs.

4. Ask "What If?" Early and Often
   Challenge the process from all angles:
   

• What if a part isn’t configured correctly?

• What if a file is missing?

• What if the output depends on a customer-specific rule?


These “what ifs” are where edge cases and hidden complexity live.

5. Run a Manual Simulation
   Before any development starts, walk through the process using your mapped steps manually. If anything feels unclear, stop and revise.

6. Lock the Process Before Writing Code
   Once everything is defined, validated, and agreed upon, only then should development begin. Automation is unforgiving — it will follow your instructions to the letter, so make sure those instructions are bulletproof.

Final Thoughts

Automating with Autodesk Inventor has the potential to significantly streamline your workflow, reduce errors, and save hours of manual effort. But it’s only as good as the foundation it’s built on. And that foundation is your process.

Don’t leave out obvious steps because machines are literal.

If you're unsure where to start, imagine teaching a robot to tie its shoes. That’s the level of clarity and completeness you need - and that’s where we come in.

We’ve seen the consequences of skipping this step, and we’d love to help you avoid them.Our process includes free process mapping, continuous communication during development, and no upfront payment. We believe in building trust first and ensuring the solution fits your workflow before anything else.

Let’s make sure your automation works exactly the way you need it to, right from the start.

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