How to Choose a Department for AI Automation

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, artificial intelligence offers transformative potential across organizations. However, implementing AI effectively requires thoughtful planning rather than rushing toward technological solutions. By following a structured approach to identifying and prioritizing AI implementation opportunities, companies can achieve meaningful digital transformation that delivers genuine value.

Here is our process for identifying the departments, functions, and tasks to automate in your business.

Begin with Departmental Focus

The first step in designing an effective AI process is identifying which departments would benefit most from implementation. Consider areas like:

• Operations
• Finance
• Risk management and compliance
• Business development

Each department has unique challenges and workflows that might benefit differently from AI integration. This departmental categorization creates a foundation for more targeted analysis.

Identify Key Functions Within Departments

Once you've selected a department, examine the specific functions performed within it. For example:

• Finance: Accounts receivable, accounts payable, budgeting
• Operations: Project documentation management, resource allocation, scheduling
• Risk management and compliance: Vendor management, compliance tracking
• Business development: New project acquisition

This functional breakdown helps isolate specific workflow areas where AI can create the most immediate impact.

Map Individual Tasks Within Functions

After identifying key functions within a department, break those functions down into their component tasks. For accounts payable and receivable, these might include:

• Writing purchase orders
• Processing incoming invoices
• Matching costs against purchase orders
• Reconciling payments

Understanding these granular tasks creates clarity around specific AI implementation opportunities.

Evaluate Potential Value Through Key Questions

Not all tasks offer equal value when automated. Prioritize which workflows to implement by asking three essential questions:

1. Frequency: How often is this task performed today?
2. Future volume: How often will this task be performed in the future?
3. Risk assessment: What is the cost of mistakes or delays in this process?

This evaluation framework helps quantify potential return on investment and highlight areas where AI implementation would deliver the greatest organizational impact.

Prioritize Implementation Based on Value Analysis

With a clear understanding of departments, functions, tasks, and potential value, you can create a strategic implementation roadmap. This approach ensures resources are directed toward AI projects with the strongest business case and highest probability of success.

The goal isn't implementing AI everywhere simultaneously, but rather targeting specific departments and the workflows in those departments where technology can genuinely transform operational efficiency while minimizing disruption.

Here's an example of what a breakdown may look like:

‍Learning From Successful Implementations

At Briq, we've helped thousands of companies navigate this process—identifying high-value departments and functions, then designing workflows that can be effectively automated. Our experience demonstrates that strategic AI implementation creates sustainable competitive advantages when approached methodically.

For organizations looking to explore these opportunities further, our free LEARN program provides resources and expertise to guide your AI transformation journey. Learn more at https://briq.com/learn

By following this structured approach, businesses can move beyond the hype of AI and create thoughtful implementations that deliver measurable value and position organizations for long-term success in an increasingly digital business environment.