Knowing whether it was worth it.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE BUILDING
What it should achieve, in measurable terms.
WHAT MEASURES LOOK LIKE
Hours of manual work removed Errors avoided Time from event to result Support contacts reduced
WHAT TO RECORD BEFORE
The current figures.
WHY
Without a baseline, improvement cannot be demonstrated.
WHAT TO MEASURE AFTER
The same figures, at a sensible interval.
WHAT TO ALSO TRACK
Time spent maintaining it.
WHY
It is the cost people forget, and it determines net benefit.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Work removed, permanently, for modest upkeep.
WHAT FAILURE LOOKS LIKE
An integration consuming more attention than the manual process did.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT
Simplify it, or remove it.
WHY REMOVING IS LEGITIMATE
A connection that costs more than it saves should not persist from habit.
WHAT TO REVIEW ANNUALLY
Every integration, against its original purpose.
WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK
Is it still used Does it still work Does anyone own it Would we build it today
WHAT TO DO WITH ANY ANSWERED NO
Decide deliberately, rather than leaving it running.
WHAT TO RECORD
The decision.
