How to Know Which Parts of Your Business You Should Automate First

Automation can transform an entire business — but only if you start in the right places.

Here is the exact framework we use to determine what to automate first for clients.

1. Look for Anything Repetitive

If a task happens:

• Daily

• Weekly

• Every time something changes

…it’s a perfect automation candidate.

Examples:

• Copying data

• Updating spreadsheets

• Sending reminders

• Renaming files

2. Identify Tasks With High Error Risk

Human error is expensive.

If a task requires:

• Precision

• Data accuracy

• Matching fields

• Manual entry

…it should be automated.

3. Target Tasks That Block Other People

If one person gets behind, everything slows down.

Automate:

• Approvals

• Status updates

• Handoffs

• Scheduling

4. Find Tasks That Create the Most Frustration

Often the best automation candidates are the ones your team hates doing.

Ask them:

“If you never had to do one task again, what would it be?”

5. Choose Workflows Connected to Revenue or Customer Experience

These give the biggest payoff fast.

Examples:

• Order processing

• Customer onboarding

• Product updates

• Support workflows