Project Lifecycle
Automation is not a "Set It and Forget It" event. It is a living system with a lifecycle. We follow a strict 6-stage engineering process to ensure longevity.
Discovery & Design
We do not touch n8n until the logic is proven on paper. This phase defines the 'Happy Path' and, more importantly, the 'Failure Paths'.
- Architecture Diagram (Visual Flow)
- Schema Definition (Inputs/Outputs)
- Failure Mode Analysis (FMA)
The Build
Construction begins in a Dev/Staging environment. Credentials are isolated, and mock data is used to test logic without affecting production.
- Modular Workflow Construction
- Error Handling & Retry Logic Implementation
- Environment Variable Setup
Validation (UAT)
We stress-test the system with 'dirty data' (missing fields, duplicates, weird characters) to ensure the validation layer holds up.
- Edge Case Testing
- Load Testing (Volume Check)
- Client Sign-off
Production Deployment
The switch is flipped. Monitoring hooks are activated. We watch the logs closely for the first 48 hours (The 'Hypercare' period).
- Live Data Connection
- Alerting System Activation
- Handoff Documentation / Runbook
Evolution & Maintenance
Systems must breathe. As APIs change or business logic evolves, we version the automation (v1.0 -> v1.1) rather than patching it live.
- Monthly Health Checks
- Versioned Updates
- API Dependency Audits
Decommissioning
No automation lives forever. When a process becomes obsolete, we retire it cleanly—revoking keys, archiving logs, and shutting down webhooks.
- Secure Archival
- Credential Revocation
- Final Data Export
The Fabalos "Definition of Done"
"A workflow is not 'done' when it runs. It is done when it can fail safely, be explained clearly by a non-engineer, and be maintained without panic."