We had an interesting discussion last week with some from the hotel industry, as well as ongoing discussions with a real estate development company around the use of AI in process automation. In both cases, they asked about the use of AI, but there were many other steps possible before developing an AI solution. Therefore, we provided some guidelines for our customers on this topic:
Challenge if the process is even necessary: Though it might seem counterproductive at first, I have often come across processes that were completely unnecessary or could be easily outsourced to a supplier or another third party.
Simplify: It’s critical to keep the process simple before automating it. Automating a complex process is costly and can actually add complexity. So, make sure you remove unnecessary steps. Keep it simple and avoid any potential mistakes.
Accelerate: The next step is to reduce waste from the process and accelerate it as much as possible.
Automate: Now it’s time to automate and integrate AI into the process, where it fits. Combine automation with AI, giving each its role where it drives the most value for your business.
Measure: Once the process is automated, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure its effectiveness. Ensure you track the right metrics to assess the return on investment and process improvements.
Maintain or Optimize: Regularly monitor the automated process to ensure it continues to perform optimally. Make adjustments to maintain efficiency, and continuously optimize as business needs and technology evolve.
This doesn’t mean you can’t start with AI or build an AI strategy early, as there are plenty of ways to use AI for quick wins, as we’ve seen in companies. It just means there are different solutions for different parts of your company, and everything has its place and time to optimize the return on investment for your business.
Streamline, Efficiency, Automation, AI, Optimize
Step | Description |
Challenge Necessity | Assess if the process is needed or if it can be outsourced or eliminated. |
Simplify | Remove unnecessary steps to keep the process simple and efficient. |
Accelerate | Reduce waste and improve cycle time by streamlining the process. |
Automate | Introduce automation and AI where it brings the most value. |
Measure | Set key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of automation. |
Maintain/Optimize | Regularly monitor and optimize the process to ensure long-term efficiency and improvements. |
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