What is a tool, with an example?

A tool is anything that helps a person complete a task more efficiently, reliably, or safely. In a business context, tools are usually software applications that enforce processes and work with data. For example, an internal refund tool might let support agents look up an order, apply business rules, and issue a refund with proper logging, instead of editing records directly in a database. That single tool bundles validation, permissions, and workflows into one interface. The result is that work becomes more predictable and less dependent on tribal knowledge or manual procedures.