The question to ask before you automate a workflow

In AI consulting projects, we often hear, "Can you automate this spreadsheet task?" Once we look at the work, the better question is why someone still has to do that step by hand.

Building HeySeorak taught us to look for the point where a visitor gets stuck. The same approach works for office tasks: first find the step that slows people down and understand why it happens.

We start by looking at how work actually moves through a team. Then we choose a task where AI or automation could save time. If we choose the wrong task, the hardest part of the day stays just as hard.

At mindtouch, one founder has planned, built, and operated each venture. That experience taught us to start with one repetitive task, make sure the change works in practice, and then take on the next one.

We take the same approach with clients: find the priority, build the automation, and check that people can use it in their daily work.