# The automation opportunity map
Mitch Tarala · mitchtarala.com

Choose one repetitive task. Map the current process before buying a tool.

| Step | Trigger | Input | Action | Output | Owner |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | | | | | |
| 2 | | | | | |
| 3 | | | | | |

## Is this a good candidate?
- How often does it happen?
- How many minutes does it take?
- Are the inputs reasonably consistent?
- Can we describe a correct result?
- What could go wrong and who would notice?
- Does the workflow contain sensitive information?

## Start safely
Choose one low-risk step. Keep a human review before payments, publishing, or customer commitments. Use test data first.

## Measure
Record time spent before and after, error rate, and time spent fixing errors. Include subscription and maintenance costs.

## Recovery
Who owns the automation? How will failures be reported? How do we pause it and finish the task manually?

Example: Draft an answer to a common inquiry, then have a person approve it. Measure editing time and accuracy before considering automatic sending.