Assess a New AI Opportunity¶

Step 1

Identify

Step 2

Assess

Step 3

Calculate

Step 4

Question

Step 5

Proceed

Step 1: Identify the Use Case¶

Document what you're trying to achieve and why AI might help.

Template: Use Case Identification Template

Key questions to answer: - What problem are you solving? - Who are the users and stakeholders? - What does success look like? - Why is AI the right approach (vs simpler alternatives)?

Step 2: Assess Organizational Readiness¶

Before committing resources, understand your organization's capability to deliver.

Tool: Readiness Scorer

Dimensions assessed: - Data infrastructure - Technical capability - Organizational culture - Leadership support - Governance and ethics - Resources

Be honest

The assessment is for your benefit. Overstating readiness leads to failed projects.

Step 3: Calculate the Business Case¶

Build an evidence-based case for investment.

Tool: ROI Calculator

Include in your analysis: - Implementation costs (development, infrastructure, training) - Operational costs (maintenance, support, ongoing operations) - Expected benefits (efficiency gains, cost savings, revenue impact) - Risk factors (probability of success, adoption rates)

Template: Business Case Template

Step 4: Ask the Forbidden Questions¶

Before you get too committed, ask the questions nobody else is asking.

Read: Forbidden Questions: Before You Start

Critical questions include: - Why hasn't this been done already? - Who loses if this succeeds? - What happens when it fails? - Are we solving the right problem?

Step 5: Proceed with Delivery¶

If you've made it this far and the answers are positive, move to delivery.

Playbook: AI Project Delivery Playbook

Key templates for delivery: - Stakeholder Register - Engagement Plan - Risk Register

Evaluate AI Solutions - if you need to compare options
Worried About a Project - if concerns emerge later