This portfolio documents how I assess AI use cases and work through architecture, governance, security, cost and implementation decisions. The Architecture Decision Framework is available now. The interactive Advisor, pattern library, governance toolkit, cost model and case studies will be added as they are completed.
Approach
The use case comes first
Some problems need retrieval-augmented generation or an agentic workflow. Others need simpler automation, better information architecture or process redesign with no AI in it. The useful work is deciding which route fits, then designing the controls and operating model around it.
That means understanding the business problem, the systems involved, the data boundary, the consequences of a wrong answer and the people who remain responsible.
Enterprise AI Architecture Advisor
The Advisor is the flagship project in this portfolio. It is being designed to take a use case and return a structured recommendation covering architecture, governance, security, cost and implementation.
The recommendation will explain why a pattern was selected, where human review belongs and what would need to be true before implementation. The logic, question set and example outputs will be published as they are completed.
Architecture decision framework
AI is one option among several. The decision framework maps use-case characteristics to outcomes including process redesign, conventional automation, prompt-based AI, RAG, agentic workflows and human-in-the-loop patterns.
It makes the trade-offs visible rather than hiding them behind a tool recommendation.
Read the framework →Planned outputs
Patterns, controls and economics
Architecture pattern library
Reusable patterns for RAG, agents, human review, AI gateways and the boundary between workflow automation and AI.
Governance toolkit
Practical controls for ownership, risk assessment, human review and the lifecycle of an AI-enabled service.
Cost and value model
A way to test whether a use case is worth building once model usage, integration, operations, assurance and change are included.
Case studies
The case studies will connect the full chain: business problem, architecture decision, risks, controls, cost, implementation approach and reflection. They will use public or synthetic information and show what was designed, built or tested, including the assumptions and what did not work.
About the work
Architecture grounded in delivery
I lead a technology team and run a consulting practice alongside it. My background is in Microsoft 365 architecture, workflow automation, systems integration and the operating decisions around AI. I am building this portfolio because enterprise AI architecture cuts across all of those areas.
Each output will include the reasoning behind it, not just the finished diagram or recommendation.
Consulting
Working through an AI use case?
Send me the business problem, the systems involved and what the AI would be expected to do. If there is a sensible piece of architecture work behind it, we can discuss where to start.
consulting@joshwickes.com