Choosing what to script.
WHAT SUITS AUTOMATION
Repetitive Rule-based Done frequently Error-prone when done manually
WHAT DOES NOT
Tasks requiring judgement Tasks done rarely Tasks whose rules change constantly
WHAT TO CALCULATE
Time the task takes, multiplied by frequency, per year Time to build and maintain the script
WHAT THAT COMPARISON REVEALS
That some obvious candidates are not worth it.
WHAT ELSE TO WEIGH
Error reduction, which is frequently worth more than the time saved Whether the task blocks other work
WHAT TO AUTOMATE FIRST
The task you do most often, that is entirely mechanical.
WHAT TO BE HONEST ABOUT
Maintenance. A script is not finished when it works.
WHAT TO ASK
Who maintains this when I am unavailable?
WHAT TO AVOID
Automating a broken process Automating something that should simply stop being done
THAT LAST POINT
Ask whether the task is necessary before automating it.
