Map the actual output field
A step may return several fields, and the value you need may be nested in its result. Inspect a successful run to find the exact output path, then map that field into the next step rather than copying the whole result object. Matching the expected data type and format helps prevent empty or malformed inputs.
If the next step runs before a value is available, check the dependency and conditional path. A skipped step or an output that exists only on one branch may leave the later input empty. Make the dependency explicit and decide what should happen when the earlier step has no usable value.
Test the handoff with representative data
Use a small run with realistic data and inspect the input received by the later step. Check strings for unwanted whitespace, arrays for the expected number of items, and objects for the fields the next operation requires. A successful earlier step does not prove that the mapping is correct.
When a value contains personal or confidential information, avoid copying it into logs or examples. Use a sanitized sample that preserves the structure and data types. Test an empty or unusual result too, so the workflow handles missing values deliberately instead of failing unpredictably.