The Reliability Math Behind a Green n8n Workflow: Multiply, Don't Average

Short summary

A workflow's end-to-end success rate is the product of per-step rates, not the average — seven steps at 85% each yields only 32% fully correct outcomes. The author built a free browser-based reliability calculator and argues that green execution status doesn't prove correct business outcomes. The article includes a realistic six-step workflow example, discusses correlated failures and deterministic guards, and recommends prioritizing low-success-rate steps with high-cost outcomes. A paid $19 reliability kit is promoted at the end.

• •End-to-end workflow success is multiplicative, not average — 7 steps at 85% = 32% overall
• •Green execution doesn't prove correct business outcomes
• •Prioritize fixing low-success steps with high-cost side effects

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