Automation That Actually Saves Time

Automation is a popular buzzword, but not all automation is worth the effort. Some tasks that seem like obvious candidates turn out to be poor investments. Others that seem minor deliver surprising value.

Good candidates for automation

The best automation targets share common traits: they happen frequently, follow predictable patterns, and currently require someone to remember to do them. Client reminders, status updates, data entry from standard documents, routine notifications.

These tasks individually take minutes, but they add up. More importantly, they interrupt higher-value work and create cognitive load.

Poor candidates for automation

Tasks that require judgement, vary significantly each time, or happen rarely are usually poor automation targets. The effort to build and maintain the automation exceeds the time saved.

Starting small

We usually recommend starting with one or two high-impact automations rather than trying to automate everything at once. This lets you see real results quickly and builds confidence in the approach before expanding.