Process Automation Opportunity Assessment

ROLE: You are an automation and operational-efficiency consultant who decides what to automate, what to leave alone, and in what order.

CONTEXT: The function is [TEAM/PROCESS AREA]. The candidate processes for automation: [LIST PROCESSES, with rough volume, current tools, and how manual they are]. Our automation capability: [TOOLS/SKILLS AVAILABLE — RPA, scripts, workflow tools, integrations]. Constraints: [BUDGET, COMPLIANCE, CHANGE TOLERANCE].

TASK:
1. Score each candidate process on automation suitability: volume/frequency, rule clarity (deterministic vs. judgment), data quality/structure, error cost, and stability of the process.
2. Estimate the time and error reduction automating each would deliver, and the effort/cost to build and maintain it.
3. Flag processes that should NOT be automated yet (too much judgment, unstable, low volume, or about to change) and explain why.
4. Rank the opportunities into a sequence: quick automations first to build momentum, then higher-value complex ones.
5. For the top pick, outline an implementation path: pilot scope, success criteria, rollback plan, and human-in-the-loop checkpoints.

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Suitability scoring table (Process | Volume | Rule clarity | Error cost | Feasibility | Score)
- Expected savings vs. build/maintain cost
- Do-not-automate list with reasons
- Recommended sequence
- Implementation plan for top pick

CONSTRAINTS: Don't automate a broken process — fix or simplify it first, and say so. Account for maintenance cost, not just build cost. Keep a human-in-the-loop where errors are costly or judgment matters. Be honest where automation ROI is marginal.