Our leadership team is excited about the potential of AI, but we are arguing over which departments should get priority for custom AI projects. How do we decide where to invest our limited time and resources during our quarterly planning?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Trying to automate everything at once is a fast track to operational chaos and wasted capital. During your quarterly planning sessions, you must use a disciplined prioritization framework to align your AI initiatives with your overall company strategy.

Start by reviewing your V/TO to identify your most critical operational bottlenecks. Look at the metrics on your weekly Scorecard that are consistently off track. This is where you should focus your attention. Do not build AI tools for departments that are already running smoothly; target the areas of your business that are actively holding back your capacity or hurting your margins.

Use the IDS process to evaluate your proposed AI projects based on two simple criteria: operational impact and implementation complexity. Your high-priority AI Rocks should be projects that are low-complexity but high-impact, allowing your team to secure quick wins and build confidence.

Assign clear ownership for each AI Rock on your Accountability Chart. The owner must have GWC for the seat and take full responsibility for defining the project scope, managing the budget, and tracking the ROI. By focusing on one or two high-impact AI Rocks each quarter, you protect your team's focus and ensure your technology investments deliver real bottom-line results.