01Find the right workflow
Start with work that is repeated, rules-based and costly in staff time or error correction. Map the trigger, inputs, decisions, outputs, hand-offs and exceptions. Confirm how often the workflow occurs and what currently makes it slow or unreliable before estimating the value of automation.
02Define rules and exception handling
Document which decisions can be made automatically and which require human review. Plan what happens when data is missing, an integration is unavailable, a request is duplicated or an approval is overdue. Logging and clear ownership make the workflow easier to troubleshoot.
03Connect systems carefully
Automation may involve APIs, spreadsheets, email, databases or existing business applications. Confirm access rights, data formats, rate limits, retry behaviour and ownership of each system. Avoid collecting or copying more information than the process requires.
04Measure and maintain the process
Agree on a baseline and practical indicators such as processing time, rework, completion rate or exception volume when those measures can be collected reliably. Monitor failures, review rule changes and assign an owner for ongoing maintenance. Do not assume a projected time saving is an achieved result.