Use the following five tests before committing to an automation build.
1. Is the outcome specific?
A strong target can be measured: reduce lead-response time, resolve repeat support questions, shorten monthly reporting, improve employee onboarding or reactivate dormant customers. "Use AI in the business" is not a defined outcome.
2. Is the process stable enough?
Document the current trigger, steps, decisions, exceptions, systems and owner. If every employee performs the work differently, first agree on the operating process. Automation will otherwise reproduce inconsistency at greater speed.
3. Is the information usable?
Confirm where required data lives, who owns it, whether it is accurate and whether the business has authority to use it. Identify personal, confidential or regulated information before choosing tools or integrations.
4. Can the risk be controlled?
Classify actions as standard, controlled or critical. Drafting, research and reversible administration may allow more autonomy. Customer communication, invoicing preparation and CRM changes need stronger controls. Payments, payroll, refunds, hiring, filings, privileged access and security changes require explicit authorization, logs and human approval.
5. Is there an operating owner?
Every automation needs someone responsible for performance, exceptions and change. Define success measures, escalation, monitoring, rollback and what happens when a connected system changes.
A simple readiness decision
Ready: One clear outcome, repeatable process, accessible information, manageable integrations and accountable owner.
Ready with discovery: The value is clear, but process, data or integration details remain uncertain.
Not ready: No measurable outcome, no owner, uncontrolled high-risk actions or unresolved data/privacy concerns.
Choose the right starting job
- Sales Flow Automation: lead capture, qualification, reminders and proposal follow-up.
- Customer Support Automation: intake, routing, knowledge-assisted responses and escalation.
- Operational Intelligence: reliable management reporting and decision visibility.
- Managed IT Operations: support, assets, monitoring and routine IT coordination.
- Customer Growth Automation: retention, reactivation and lifecycle communication.
- Tailored Automation: one bounded outcome that does not fit the five standard jobs.