AI-ready operations
Most AI projects do not fail on the technology.
They fail because the work is unclear. Use seven operating criteria to decide whether to automate now, fix the workflow first or keep the judgement human.
The three verdicts
Automate now. Fix first. Do not automate.
Automate now
Rules are stable, exceptions are bounded and review is clear.
Fix first
The value is real, but ownership, inputs or standards still move.
Keep human
The work depends on judgement, trust or novel context.
The readiness framework
Seven criteria decide whether speed will help.
01A stable trigger starts the work
02Inputs arrive in a consistent format
03The normal steps are repeatable
04Exceptions are known and bounded
05One person owns the outcome
06Quality can be checked visibly
07A human review point is explicit
The safe sequence
Audit the work before you choose the tool.
- Choose one costly recurring workflow.
- Map the trigger, inputs, owners, steps and exceptions.
- Define the standard and human review point.
- Remove ambiguity before adding automation.
- Measure the result against time, quality and visibility.