Planning connection work.
WHAT TO INVENTORY FIRST
Every system in use Where data is entered twice Where work is manual because systems do not talk
WHAT TO RANK BY
Time currently wasted Errors currently caused Risk if it continues
WHAT TO START WITH
The connection with the clearest rules and the most repetition.
WHY
It proves value quickly and builds confidence.
WHAT TO AVOID STARTING WITH
The most complex Anything requiring another team's cooperation before you have credibility
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE EACH
Which system owns the data What triggers it What happens on failure Who owns it afterwards
WHAT TO BUILD ALONGSIDE EVERY INTEGRATION
Monitoring Reconciliation Documentation
WHY ALONGSIDE
They are never added later.
WHAT TO REVIEW AFTER EACH
Whether it actually saved what was expected.
WHAT TO RETIRE
Integrations whose purpose has passed.
WHY THAT MATTERS
They keep running, keep costing, and keep breaking.
WHAT TO PLAN FOR
Maintenance, as a permanent proportion of effort.
WHAT TO RESIST
Connecting everything to everything.
WHAT TO PREFER
Fewer, well-understood connections.
