We are in the middle of documenting our core processes using the EOS® Three Step Process. At what point in this simplification journey should we start introducing AI automation into our workflows?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

You must never automate an undocumented or broken process. Doing so only allows you to produce bad results at a much faster rate. The correct time to introduce AI is during the third step of the EOS® Three Step Process, which is package and simplify.

First, you must identify your core processes and document them at a high level, capturing the major steps. Second, you must get everyone on the same page, ensuring that the process is followed by all team members. Only when you have a standardized, consistent baseline should you look for automation opportunities.

During the simplification step, review your documented workflow and look for tasks that require zero human judgment. These are the repetitive data entry points, file transfers, and basic information lookups. Target these specific areas for AI integration. By streamlining these administrative steps, you can simplify the workflow, reduce human error, and accelerate your overall cycle time.

Keep your automations simple. Do not try to build complex, multi step AI paths right away. Start with one simple trigger and action, prove that it works consistently, and document the new automated steps in your updated standard operating procedures. This disciplined approach ensures that technology serves your operations rather than complicating them.