Automation guide

Business process automation: start with repeated friction, not tools.

The best automation candidates are usually visible before any technology decision: repeated copying, reconciliation, status chasing, predictable routing, recurring reports or high-volume tasks with clear rules.

Find repeated work with a measurable cost

List tasks that occur frequently and estimate time, delay, error or operational risk. High frequency plus clear rules is a strong automation signal.

  • Manual data entry
  • Repeated report production
  • Status updates
  • Routine reconciliation

Map the process as it actually happens

Document the trigger, inputs, decisions, exceptions and output. The informal workarounds people use are often more important than the official process diagram.

  • Trigger
  • Data sources
  • Decision rules
  • Exceptions

Decide what should remain human

Automation is not about removing every person. Judgement, unusual exceptions, approvals and sensitive communication may be better kept as human steps.

  • Approval points
  • Low-confidence cases
  • Commercial judgement
  • Exception handling

Design for visibility and recovery

An automation that silently fails can be worse than a manual process. Record state, errors and retries so operations can recover safely.

  • Logging
  • Alerts
  • Retry rules
  • Manual intervention
Frequently asked questions

Questions to consider before you start

Do we need a large transformation programme?

No. One well-chosen workflow can be a better starting point.

Should we use Zapier/Make or custom code?

It depends on reliability, volume, complexity, cost and system access. Off-the-shelf automation is often suitable for simpler workflows.

Can automation connect to our website?

Yes. Websites and eCommerce platforms can trigger or participate in operational workflows through APIs, events or scheduled processes.

Can you help identify opportunities before building?

Yes. A discovery session can map candidate processes and prioritise them.

Related expertise

Explore connected services

Have a repeated process you want to remove?

Describe how it works today, how often it happens and which systems are involved. We can assess whether automation is worthwhile.