The everyday problem
Even a well-tested workflow can encounter a changed screen, unavailable system, or unexpected input. The operations team needs a defined way to pause work without losing track of what has already happened. Recovery is part of the workflow, not an afterthought.
A practical approach
Decide who can pause execution, how in-progress tasks are represented, and what checks are required before restarting. Distinguish restarting a workflow from repeating an already completed action. Keep a clear record of the reason for the pause and the review that followed.
Try this with your team
Run a tabletop exercise in which a dependency becomes unavailable halfway through a fictional case. Describe how the team identifies the stopping point and resumes the work.