Keep this checklist handy
Copy this guide into your notes or download a text version to work through.
Choose a small, recurring task
Good starting points have repeated inputs, a clear owner and a predictable next action: classifying an inquiry, preparing a summary or moving approved data between systems.
Write down the current workflow
List the trigger, inputs, decision rules, destination and exception cases. Note where consent or approval is required. If people cannot agree on the process, clarify it before automating.
Estimate the practical value
Measure current task frequency, handling time and error rate over a short baseline period. Compare that with setup, provider usage, monitoring and maintenance costs. Avoid assuming every saved minute becomes cash.
Decide where humans stay involved
Use review for sensitive decisions, customer-facing messages and uncertain AI outputs. Define a fallback when a model, API or account fails.
Test the difficult cases
Include missing fields, duplicate events, permission changes, timeouts and incorrect AI output. Make retries safe and give an operator a way to inspect errors.
Hand it over
Document accounts, credentials management, costs, owner, monitoring and recovery. A working demo becomes a business system only when someone can operate it reliably.
Start with one repeatable task.
Bring one example, the tools involved and the person who owns the process. We can discuss whether a bounded automation is a useful fit.