AI Automation Readiness Checklist: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Start

AI Automation Readiness Checklist: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Start

If you're searching for an AI automation readiness checklist, you want a fast way to answer one question: "Are we actually ready to automate this workflow?" The right checklist saves you from buying tools too early and forces clarity on scope, data, ownership, and ROI. Use the questions below to decide if you are ready to start, or if you need to fix fundamentals first.

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Why readiness matters more than tools

Most AI automation projects fail because the workflow is unclear or the inputs are messy. A solid readiness check keeps the pilot small, measurable, and safe. If you want a deeper scoring framework, start with the AI Audit Template and keep this checklist as your quick filter.

The 12-question AI automation readiness checklist

Answer each question with Yes, Maybe, or No. "Maybe" is a signal that you need to tighten the workflow before you automate.

Workflow clarity (Questions 1-3)

1. Can you describe the workflow start and end in one sentence?
2. Is there a single primary outcome (not five) that defines success?
3. Can a human complete the workflow end-to-end without special exceptions?

Data quality and access (Questions 4-6)

4. Are the inputs consistent enough to be structured or templated?
5. Do you know where the data lives and who can access it?
6. Can you remove or mask sensitive fields before the AI step?

Ownership and adoption (Questions 7-9)

7. Is there a single owner who can approve changes and measure results?
8. Will the workflow be used at least weekly (not once a quarter)?
9. Do the people doing the work actually want the automation?

Risk and ROI (Questions 10-12)

10. Is the cost of a mistake low enough for a pilot?
11. Can you measure time saved or errors reduced within 30-60 days?
12. Is the ROI large enough to justify the ongoing cost?

If you need a fast ROI model, use the ROI calculator with conservative inputs.

How to score your answers

Use a simple traffic light:

• Green: 9-12 Yes answers. You are ready to pilot.
• Yellow: 6-8 Yes answers. Clarify the workflow and fix inputs first.
• Red: 0-5 Yes answers. Do not automate yet.

The goal is not a perfect score. The goal is to avoid automating the wrong thing.

What to do if you are not ready

If you landed in yellow or red, do these three things before you build:

1. Tighten the workflow. Remove edge cases and document the exact steps.
2. Clean the inputs. Standardize fields and remove sensitive data.
3. Set a clear owner. One person must be accountable for the result.

The AI Audit Template walks you through each of these in a structured format.

Common readiness traps

Trap 1: Starting with the most complex workflow

High-risk workflows feel strategic but they fail first. Start with something safe and repeatable.

Trap 2: No baseline

If you cannot measure today, you cannot prove improvement tomorrow. Capture time per task now.

Trap 3: Tool-first decisions

Tools do not create outcomes. Workflows do. Start with the workflow, then pick the tool.

Ready to move from checklist to pilot?

If you want help scoping your first automation, start with the quiz, validate the economics with the ROI calculator, and if you want a partner to ship, visit work with me.