Automation readiness checklist

A printable 10-question checklist that shows whether your small business is ready to automate, and what to sort out first.

Answer each question yes or no. It takes about five minutes. Read the full explanation in the blog post.

Business: ____________________________   Date: ______________

  1. Can you name the one task that eats the most of your week? Yes No   Task:
  2. Do you do that task the same way most of the time? Yes No
  3. Could you explain it in ten steps or fewer to a new employee? Yes No
  4. Does the task happen at least a few times a week? Yes No   Times per week:
  5. Is the information it needs already digital? Yes No
  6. Do your main tools have logins you control? Yes No
  7. Do you know roughly what the task costs you, in hours or lost customers? Yes No   Estimate:
  8. Would a mistake be easy to catch and fix? Yes No
  9. Is someone available to check the results for the first few weeks? Yes No   Who:
  10. Are you willing to change the process a little? Yes No

Total yes answers: ______ / 10

  • 8 to 10: you're ready. Automate the task from question 1.
  • 5 to 7: you're close. Fix the quick "no" answers (usually 3, 5 and 6), then start.
  • 0 to 4: do the groundwork first. Write the process down, move it into digital tools and track the time it takes for two weeks.

Scored 5 or more? Bring this sheet to a free 20-minute discovery call with Niranjan Bajgai, bajgai.ca.