Choosing where to start.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Tasks done repeatedly, the same way Information copied between systems Notifications sent by hand Data entered more than once Reports assembled manually Approvals chased by message Files moved and renamed
WHY DATA ENTERED TWICE
It is common, invisible in accounting, error-prone and entirely avoidable.
HOW TO FIND THEM
Ask people what they do repeatedly that feels mechanical.
WHY ASK THEM
They know, and they resent the work.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FOR EACH CANDIDATE
How often it happens How long it takes How many people do it What errors occur What happens when it is missed
WHAT TO CALCULATE
Time consumed per month.
WHY PER MONTH
It converts a small irritation into a visible figure.
WHAT TO ASSESS
Whether the rules are clear enough to describe.
WHY
A task nobody can describe cannot be automated.
WHAT TO PRIORITISE
High frequency, clear rules, error-prone, easy to build.
WHAT TO AVOID FIRST
The most complex process you have.
WHY
Early failures end the effort.
WHAT TO START WITH
Something small that works.
WHAT THAT PROVIDES
Confidence, and learning about the tools.
WHAT TO ASK BEFORE AUTOMATING ANYTHING
Whether the task should exist at all.
