Before You Implement AI: Why Knowing Your Processes is Non-Negotiable
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere in today’s business world. From marketing to manufacturing to restaurants, companies are eager to tap into its power. But is AI really a gamechanger for process excellence? The answer might surprise you: not necessarily.
At the recent Operational Excellence Summit, Carmen Beernaert and Regina Sousa Paiva raised a critical point: AI will only improve your processes if you understand them first. If you skip that step, you risk automating inefficiency. In this article, I’ll break down their insights and show you a practical checklist to follow before you bring AI into the picture.
Process Awareness: Know What You’re Optimizing
The first pillar is process awareness. This is about understanding every single step that shapes your customer’s experience. You need to ask yourself: do you know the flow from start to finish? Can you identify which steps add real value?
In many companies, this part is often rushed or skipped. Teams get excited about AI tools without first mapping the process. The advice here is simple: go to the source. Walk the floor. Talk to the people involved.
If you can’t clearly visualize your process, it’s too early to think about AI. You might end up solving the wrong problem or, worse, automating a broken system.
Identifying the Right Problem: AI Needs a Purpose
The second pillar is about focus: what problem are you trying to solve?
Once you know your process steps, the next question is: where are the weak points? Which issues are preventing your business from running efficiently and profitably?
If you skip this step, AI won’t help. AI needs a clear mission. Automating a problem won’t solve it, it will only make the problem happen faster.
This is where many digital transformation projects fail. They start with technology, not business needs. Take a step back and define the real blockers in your process. Only then can you start thinking about solutions.
Process Improvement: Fix Before You Automate
The third pillar is process improvement. Even if you know your processes and your problems, you still need to fix the issues manually first.
AI can scale and speed up a process, but it cannot repair poor design. That’s your job. First, you need to streamline workflows. Remove redundancies. Standardize steps. Get your process stable and under control.
Only then is AI the right tool. At this point, automation can add real value. AI will help you boost efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. But without solid groundwork, AI is just an expensive patch.
Why AI Is Not a Shortcut for Excellence
Too many businesses rush into AI expecting miracles. The reality is different. If your process is broken, AI will only magnify the problem.
Carmen and Regina’s message was clear: you can’t skip the fundamentals. AI is powerful, but it’s not a substitute for process knowledge and improvement.
Use the three pillars as your checklist:
- Do I know my processes?
- Do I know the real problem?
- Have I improved the process already?
If you can’t answer “yes” to all three, it’s time to go back to the basics.
AI Is the Last Step, Not the First
So, is AI a gamechanger for process excellence? The answer is yes but only if you’ve done your homework.
AI thrives in structured environments. It multiplies the benefits of good processes. But it can’t replace clear thinking, solid design, and human experience.
Before your company invests in AI tools, make sure your foundation is strong. Start with awareness, define the problem, and improve your process. Then, and only then, bring AI into the picture. That’s how you achieve true process excellence.
Closing Thoughts: Your Roadmap to Success
In the age of AI, it’s tempting to look for quick wins. But real operational excellence still starts with the basics. Understanding your processes. Fixing what’s broken. Only then can AI become the accelerator it’s meant to be.
Use these three steps as a checklist for your next transformation project. Your future self (and your business results) will thank you.
