Here's something most AI vendors won't tell you: AI isn't always the answer.
One of the biggest mistakes organizations make is reaching for AI when simpler solutions would work better. We're after real results, not technological bragging rights.
The Operations-First Approach
Before jumping to AI, consider these alternatives:
1. Process Improvement
Many inefficiencies can be solved with:
- Kanban boards
- Automated approvals
- Workflow reconfigurations
No AI required. Sometimes the problem is the process, not the technology.
2. Education and Training
Sometimes the problem isn't the technology—it's how people use it. Upskilling your team might deliver better ROI than any AI solution.
3. Strategic Hiring
If workloads are unmanageable or you lack expertise, the right hire might be more valuable than an AI implementation. Humans are still remarkably good at many things.
4. Human Judgment Enhancement
AI should amplify human capabilities, not replace critical thinking. In areas requiring nuanced judgment, AI works best as a collaborator, not a decision-maker.
The Golden Rule
Use AI when you need to handle scale, complexity, or speed that humans can't achieve manually. Otherwise, simpler solutions often win.
Where to Start
The framework is straightforward:
- Discover real AI opportunities through structured interviews
- Use visual mapping to uncover inefficiencies
- Expand insights through team engagement
- Separate AI hype from reality
- Know when NOT to use AI
Start with one department. Conduct one interview. Create one process map. Small steps lead to transformative results.
The best AI implementations solve real problems for real people. Everything else is just expensive technology.