Unit 09.00: Choosing a workflow worth automating

Not every repetitive task is worth automating, and volume is only the first filter.

Volume, time each, and whether the output is checkable

Four candidate workflows scored on all three.

The table below sorts them.

WORKFLOW                        PER MONTH   MIN EACH   CHECKABLE   AUTOMATE?
invoice overdue checks          900         4.0        yes         yes
drafting the quarterly strategy 4           240.0      no          NO
routing inbound tickets         2,000       1.5        yes         yes
approving exceptional refunds   30          20.0       yes         NO

  The strategy document fails on volume. Exceptional refunds fail for a
  different reason: they are exceptional, so each one differs and the
  judgement is the work.

The strategy document fails on volume - four a quarter will never repay a build, however long each one takes.

Exceptional refunds fail differently and more interestingly. The volume is adequate and the output is checkable, and they are *exceptional*, so each one differs and the judgement is the work. Automating the routine slice and routing the exceptions to a person is the right shape there.

The mistake this prevents

The mistake is choosing by how tedious the task feels. Tedium correlates with volume and not with automatability - the most tedious task in an organisation is often the one where every case is slightly different.

Takeaway

Filter on volume, time each, and whether the output can be checked. A task whose cases all differ is not a candidate however tedious it is.

Mark complete