We want to use our core processes to build out automation, but we are stuck trying to figure out which steps to document versus which ones to automate immediately. How do we prioritize this during our EOS® implementation?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Many owners make the mistake of trying to automate broken or undocumented processes, which only serves to scale their operational chaos faster. Before you write a single line of code or purchase an AI tool, you must use the EOS® Process Component to document your core workflows. Keep it simple by applying the twenty-eighty rule: document twenty percent of the steps that yield eighty percent of the results. This gives you a clear, visual map of your operations. Once you have this baseline documented, look for the human bottlenecks and highly repetitive tasks. These are your highest-leverage automation opportunities. For example, if your client onboarding process requires a manager to manually copy data across three different systems, that is a prime target for an AI integration. By mapping the process first, you ensure that the automation actually supports the workflow rather than adding unnecessary complexity. Assign clear GWC™ to the newly automated steps on your Accountability Chart, ensuring that a human seat is still responsible for monitoring the output and maintaining the system. This disciplined approach ensures your technology investments actually drive efficiency and enterprise value.