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How to Get Started with AI Automation

AI Strategy
Updated 25th September 2026 Published 19th September 2024

Still unsure which business tasks to automate with AI?

AI automation can save you and your team hundreds of hours - but only if you know the right tasks to begin with. Not everything should be automated; some tasks still need the human touch.

Amazon recently released a case study showing that their approach to coding with AI saved 4,500 developer-YEARS.

We don't all have the resources of Amazon. That's why I created the COMPLETE™ framework - a simpler way for teams and individuals to approach AI automation. I've taught this approach to my consulting clients and in my more advanced AI training workshops as a way to prioritise tasks, reduce errors, and maximise efficiency in workflows.

The COMPLETE™ Framework

COMPLETE™ breaks down tasks into 8 factors to help you decide:

  • Complexity: How difficult is it to automate?
  • Occurrence: How often do you perform this task?
  • Monetary investment: What does it cost in time or money?
  • Priority: Does it require a human touch for client satisfaction?
  • Likability: Is it a task you or your team enjoy?
  • Error reduction: Can AI do it more accurately than a person?
  • Time savings: How much time would AI save you?
  • Efficiency: Will automation make your team more efficient?

Applying COMPLETE™ to Your Business

To apply the framework:

  1. List tasks you want to automate
  2. Score each task (1-5) across all 8 factors
  3. Prioritise tasks with the highest scores
  4. Build an automation plan
  5. Track your progress and adjust

Why Score Tasks First

Without a clear strategy, you risk automating the wrong tasks. This framework helps you focus on what will save time, reduce errors, and improve overall job satisfaction. It ensures you maintain a Human First approach.

Your Roadmap to AI Automation

  1. Discovery (1-2 months): Identify potential tasks to automate (do this at a role level or project level)
  2. Pilot Projects (2-4 weeks): Test automation on key tasks
  3. Proof of Concept (1-3 months): Validate that automation works for those tasks
  4. Scaling (3-6 months): Roll out automation to more areas
  5. Continuous Improvement: Keep refining your approach as AI evolves

Final Thoughts

Start by listing your top 5 time-consuming tasks and score them using COMPLETE™. What are your favourite tasks to automate? Share your highest-scoring task in the comments on this LinkedIn post - I'd love to chat with you about this!

If you found this helpful, please share it with your network. Schedule a call with Alastair if you'd like some help with this.

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