Choose by the control boundary
OpenAI business data privacy, security, and compliance is relevant because business AI evaluation starts with data ownership, security, and compliance commitments. A team assistant can be useful for summarizing approved contract material and drafting review notes.
Microsoft 365 Copilot data protection architecture matters because contract evidence often lives in email, shared drives, collaboration tools, and document repositories. If the workflow needs permission-aware search, source traceability, and approval routing, the decision moves beyond a chat workspace.
Use custom workflow for controlled execution
NIST AI Risk Management Framework gives the risk-management structure for the decision: map context, measure failure modes, manage controls, and govern accountability. Contract review preparation needs that structure when outputs affect pricing, commitments, risk exceptions, or customer terms.
IBM Institute for Business Value AI capabilities research frames the build-vs-buy decision as a capability question. The stronger option is the one that improves data readiness, operating model, adoption, and measurement, not the one with the better demo.
Measure reviewer impact
McKinsey State of AI 2025 reinforces that value comes from redesigned workflows. Compare the two paths on intake completeness, reviewer rework, source traceability, approval cycle time, and adoption by legal, finance, and sales.
Use the AI Opportunity Score and the AI ROI Calculator to decide whether a team assistant or a custom workflow has the stronger operating case.
