How to identify a process worth automating
Practical criteria for selecting a process whose automation can create measurable value without unnecessary risk.
A good automation candidate does not have to be the most spectacular process in the company. It is usually repetitive, based on available data and takes people's time without requiring their most valuable skills.
Start with the current process cost
Count the number of cases, average handling time and correction cost. Include delays and situations where missing information blocks other people. This baseline lets you evaluate the result later.
Look for repetition, not perfect predictability
A process may contain exceptions. Automation does not need to handle every case; safely completing simple cases and handing uncertain ones to a person can already create value.
Check the data and process owner
You need sample inputs, an expected result and someone able to assess quality. Without a process owner, even a strong prototype quickly loses relevance.
Limit the first test
Choose one decision or activity, define a metric and test on representative data. Only the result of such a PoC justifies production integration.
Example: an SMS reminder
A scheduled task selects cases approaching a deadline, prepares a template message and sends it through a gateway. A sending history prevents duplicates; missing numbers go to an exception list. Fixed sending rules do not require AI. For an illustrative baseline, 200 documents at three minutes each mean ten hours of monthly manual work. Compare that baseline with the remaining work, implementation, maintenance and external service costs.
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