Record weekly volume, handling time, error rate and exceptions for the task.
Measure the work before automating it
Record weekly volume, handling time, error rate and exceptions for the task. Count the time spent checking and correcting the output as well as the time spent entering data. A five-minute task with frequent exceptions can cost more to automate safely than a longer task with a stable rule.
Define a baseline and test set
Select examples that cover the normal case, a missing input and an unusual request. Record what the operator does in each case. Decide which steps can run automatically and which require approval. A low-volume workflow may justify a checklist rather than a connection between systems.
Compare the complete cost
Estimate setup, hosting, maintenance and monitoring time. Compare those costs with the recoverable hours, not every hour currently spent on the process. After launch, review failed runs and manual overrides. Keep an owner and a fallback procedure so a silent failure does not become the next operating problem.