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Resource GuideUpdated February 20269 pages (print)

What to Automate First Scorecard

AU workflow prioritization framework for pilot selection

SG1 Consulting
AI Automation Consulting

What to Automate First Scorecard

AU workflow prioritization framework for pilot selection

Last Updated: February 2026

9 Pages

https://sg1consulting.com.au

Direct answer: what should you automate first?

Start with a repetitive, rule-based workflow that happens weekly, causes visible admin drag, and has clear human approvals. The best first pilots are high-volume enough to show ROI, but low-risk enough to supervise.

Scoring criteria (1-5 each)

CriterionScore 1Score 5
VolumeFew times per monthDaily / high volume
RepetitionHandled differently each timeConsistent repeat steps
Rule clarityHeavy judgment requiredClear decision rules
Data qualityMessy/incomplete inputsConsistent structured inputs
RiskHigh legal/safety impactLow impact if supervised
Payback visibilityHard to measureHours/errors/cycle time easy to measure
Adoption readinessStrong team resistanceTeam wants relief now

Scoring threshold

Prioritize workflows that score at least 24/35 and have an explicit owner.

Top pilot candidates by business type

Business typeGood first pilotsWhat to avoid first
Professional servicesClient intake, document filing, engagement follow-upsAdvice drafting or complex client strategy decisions
Healthcare/admin teamsReferral intake, appointment reminders, document prepClinical decisions or unsupervised patient messaging
Trades/field servicesJob intake, quote requests, scheduling confirmationsUnsupervised pricing or safety-critical decisions
Finance/back officeInvoice intake, reconciliation prep, approval routingUnreviewed postings or BAS/compliance sign-off

Workflows to exclude from your first pilot

  • Safety-critical actions, clinical decisions, or legal sign-off workflows
  • Processes with no clear owner across teams or sites
  • Workflows under active policy change (privacy/compliance controls still being set)
  • Pilots that depend on replacing core systems before any value can be measured

How to run the scorecard in 30 minutes

  1. List 10 recurring workflows that frustrate the team.
  2. Pick the top 5 by volume or pain.
  3. Score each workflow against the seven criteria.
  4. Pick the highest score that still has a clear process owner.
  5. Define one metric for hours, one for quality, one for turnaround time.

Example scorecard (intake triage)

CriterionScoreWhy
Volume4Requests arrive daily but batch volume varies
Repetition5Most requests follow a consistent intake path
Rule clarity4Triage rules exist with a small exception set
Data quality3Occasional missing fields require follow-up
Risk3Human review required for edge cases
Payback visibility5Turnaround time and rework are measurable
Adoption readiness4Admin team wants faster turnaround

Total: 28/35 (strong pilot candidate)

What to do after scoring

Use the winner to estimate ROI with our pilot ROI methodology, then define the supervision model using the compliance-aware automation design guide. For AU teams, document who approves exceptions before any pilot goes live.

Ready to Implement AI Automation?

Get a personalized assessment of automation opportunities in your business. We will identify the highest-ROI processes to automate first.

Start Free AI Analysis

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +61 410 652 449

Ready to Implement AI Automation?

Get a personalized assessment of automation opportunities in your business. Our team will identify the highest-ROI processes to automate first.

Schedule Your Free AI Analysis

https://sg1consulting.com.au/process-discovery

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +61 410 652 449

https://sg1consulting.com.au

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