From concept to operational AI agent
Agent Deep Dive
- Orientation: What defines an agent and how they differ from an assistant.
- Architecture decisions: Single-agent, multi-agent, and agentic RAG compared.
- Understanding patterns: When to use RAG, when to use tools, when to use webhooks — and when combinations make sense.
- Context design: prompt composition, memory strategies, and guardrails for stable agent behavior.
- Define the business problem: Develop a shared language, identify stakeholders, make success measurable.
- Group exercise: Define your own agent with goals, users, input/output, success criteria, and limitations.
Agent Design & Canvas
- Finalize scope: Refine and define your own agent design from Webinar 1.
- Tool selection: Identify and document relevant tools and APIs for implementation.
- Create agent canvas: 1-page concept document based on template — goal, architecture, interfaces, risks.
- Preparation build phase: Clarify technical requirements, set up n8n access.
- Submission: Agent Canvas before Webinar 2
- n8n Basics for Agents: Create workflows, set up webhooks, build your first automations.
- Tool integration: Integrate external APIs, files, and repositories.
- Agentic Orchestration: Incorporate planning steps, sub-tasks, and control questions.
- Observing vs. acting: When does the agent intervene—and when does he wait?
- Troubleshooting: Logging, monitoring, and typical sources of errors in practice.
- Hands-on: Each group builds its agent using at least two external tools — first demo at the end.
Agent Refinement & Testing
- Extend prototype: Add a second function or workflow.
- RAG integration: Connect and test knowledge base.
- Develop test prompts: Run through and document typical user cases.
- Error analysis: Identify edge cases, evaluate logging, derive improvements.
- Documentation: Record technical implementation and open issues for webinar 3.
- Submission: Working prototype before Webinar 3
- UX & degree of autonomy: How much automation makes sense? Control questions, risk checks, safety loops.
- Quality measurement: Establish a KPI system — make accuracy, task success, and time savings measurable.
- Benchmarks & Testing: Use test prompts systematically, evaluate results.
- Final Build Sprint: Final adjustments, review of success criteria.
- Pitch session: Each group presents their agent, including value and learnings.
Contents and course schedule
1. Understanding what really defines an AI agent
- Difference between assistant and agent
- Orientation & Comparison: Single-Agent, Multi-Agent, and Agentic RAG
- relevant tools and patterns
2. Making confident architectural decisions
- Deep dive into agent architecture: When to use RAG, when to use tools, when to use webhooks—and when to use combinations?
- Define agent goals, establish success criteria, incorporate control mechanisms
- Systematic identification of use cases that fit the architecture
3. Design context and prompts for agents
- Prompt composition, memory strategies, and context engineering in the architectural context
- Understanding error susceptibility and setting guardrails
- From individual requests to stable agent behavior
4. Identifying the appropriate business issue
- Developing a shared language: problem, process, pain, KPI
- Stakeholder analysis: Who benefits, who loses?
- Making success measurable: costs, time, error rate, satisfaction
5. Building agents practically with n8n
- n8n basics for agents: Webhooks, external APIs, files
- Implement initial tool connections
- From concept to working prototype
6. Orchestrate complex agents
- Incorporate planning steps, sub-tasks, and control questions
- Observing vs. acting: When does the agent intervene?
- Troubleshooting, logging, and monitoring in practice
7. Measure quality and make it scalable
- Establishing a KPI system: accuracy, task success, time savings
- Determining the degree of autonomy: How much automation makes sense?
- Check go-live readiness
This is how you learn in this course
This course offers you a digital blended concept that has been developed for part-time learning. Thanks to a flexible mix of online seminars and self-study phases, you are sure to reach your goal. This is how you learn in this course:
Learning environment: In your online learning environment, you will find useful information, downloads and extra services for this training course after you have registered.
Self-study phases: Learn independently, at your own pace and whenever you want. Our courses offer you didactically high-quality learning material.
Live webinars: In regular online seminars, you will meet your trainers in person. You will receive answers to your questions, specific assistance and instructions on how to deepen your knowledge and apply the skills you have acquired in practical exercises.
Learning community: A digital learning community is available to you throughout the course. Exchange ideas with other participants and the trainers and ask questions.
Future Jobs Club: Get exclusive access to a business network, news, and future work hacks.
Certificate of completion and Open Badge: As a graduate of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion and an Open Badge, which you can easily share on professional networks (including LinkedIn).
Your benefit
- You understand what distinguishes an AI agent from an assistant—and when true autonomy makes sense.
- You will learn how to make confident architectural decisions: RAG, tools, or webhooks—and when which combination is appropriate.
- You recognize which business problems are suitable for agents —and which are not.
- You are able to clearly define agent goals, success criteria, and control mechanisms.
- You understand how prompt composition, memory, and context engineering work together.
- You know how to set guardrails and avoid common pitfalls.
- You build a working agent prototype in n8n – with at least two external tool connections.
- You will learn how to orchestrate complex agents: incorporating planning steps, sub-tasks, and control questions.
- You systematically measure quality: accuracy, task success, and time savings become tangible for you.
- You make informed decisions about the right degree of autonomy.
Technical requirements
The technical equipment has been deliberately chosen to ensure that the course is easily accessible to participants from specialist departments.
Required technical specifications:
- Computer or laptop with a current operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
- Stable internet connection
- Current web browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, or Firefox)
- Ability to access web-based tools (no local installations required)
Required access/accounts:
- n8n access: n8n Cloud Account preferred; alternatively: access to a provided n8n instance
- Access to a large language model (LLM), e.g., OpenAI or Claude
- API access or login details provided in the course
Recommended (not mandatory) prior knowledge
- Basic understanding of digital business processes
- Previous experience with automation or workflow tools is helpful but not essential.
- Openness to exploring new AI-supported ways of working
What is not required
- programming skills
- local software installations
- Administrator rights on your own computer
Technical preparation before the course starts:
- Registration or provision of n8n access
- Set up LLM access (API key) if not provided centrally
- Quick function test: Log in to n8n and open the interface in your browser.
Tools
Recommended for
This training course is suitable for anyone who wants to understand how to safely integrate AI agents into companies and determine their ROI. You will build a bridge between operational business requirements and technological feasibility.
- Technically savvy process managers automation experts
- Product Owner & Digital Project Managers
- Software Engineers & Technical Leads
- innovation managers data professionals
- Professionals aiming for the next level of AI integration
Start dates and details
About us - The Haufe Akademie
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Whether on site, live online or in-house - our customised solutions, our claim to the highest level of consulting expertise and training tailored to your needs simplify the acquisition of skills for the working world of the future and sustainably facilitate professional development.
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Experience the benefits of online training from the comfort of your own home. Our online formats meet the highest quality standards and are in no way inferior to face-to-face events in terms of practical relevance. Learn together live online in interactive groups or digitally at a time of your choice.
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