An automation readiness checklist is a diagnostic tool that systematically assesses whether a company has the conditions needed to successfully implement process automation. Not every company is ready to automate, and moving forward without the right conditions is the leading cause of failure in automation projects. According to McKinsey, 70 percent of digital transformation projects fail, and a lack of organizational readiness is the most cited factor.
This checklist was designed for managers and decision-makers at SMEs who are considering investing in automation. It requires no technical knowledge. It focuses on 25 criteria organized into 4 areas: processes, technology, team and financial viability.
Why assess before automating
Automating a poorly defined process produces automated errors. Automating without a prepared team generates resistance. Automating without adequate infrastructure creates fragile dependencies. Assessing readiness beforehand lets you:
- Identify quick wins: processes that can be automated quickly with a high return.
- Detect blockers: factors that need to be resolved before starting an automation project.
- Estimate the investment required: more mature companies need less investment to get results.
- Set priorities: not everything should be automated at the same time. The checklist helps define where to start.
Checklist 1: Processes and operations
| # | Criterion | Yes | Partial | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The company's critical processes are documented | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | There are repetitive tasks performed more than 10 times a week | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | There are processes that depend on copying data between systems | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | There are frequent errors caused by manual data entry | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | There are processes with significant wait times (approvals, checks) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | The company can identify the cost of each manual process | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | Processes follow clear, predictable rules (they aren't ad hoc) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Maximum score: 21. If the score is below 10, the priority is to document and standardize processes before automating.
Checklist 2: Technology infrastructure
| # | Criterion | Yes | Partial | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | The company uses an ERP or central management system | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | Current systems offer APIs or integration options | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Data is digitized (not on paper) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | There is a person or team responsible for technology | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | The company uses professional email and collaboration tools | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | There is reliable internet access across the whole operation | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Maximum score: 18. If the score is below 8, you need to invest in base infrastructure before automating (see systems integration).
Checklist 3: Team and culture
| # | Criterion | Yes | Partial | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Top management actively supports digitalization | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | The team is receptive to changes in work processes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 16 | There is availability to dedicate time to the project (meetings, testing) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | There is at least one person who can be the project's internal "champion" | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | The company has already successfully carried out a technology change project | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 19 | The team understands the benefits of automation (not just management) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Maximum score: 18. If the score is below 8, invest in internal communication and training before starting. Technology is the easy part; team adoption is the critical success factor (see how to prepare your company).
Checklist 4: Financial viability
| # | Criterion | Yes | Partial | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | The company can estimate the annual cost of the processes it wants to automate | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | There is budget available for investment in automation (10k-100k euros) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 22 | Management accepts a payback period of 3 to 12 months | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 23 | There is awareness that the investment isn't just in software but also in team time | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | The company is willing to start small and scale based on results | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 25 | There are defined KPIs to measure the project's success | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Maximum score: 18. If the score is below 8, you need to work on the business case before moving forward (see how to calculate ROI).
How to interpret the results
Maximum total score: 75 points.
- 60 to 75 points: a highly prepared company. You can move forward with a pilot project with confidence. Focus on selecting the process with the greatest impact.
- 40 to 59 points: a good foundation with areas to improve. A detailed diagnostic is recommended to identify specific gaps and address them before or during the pilot project.
- 20 to 39 points: preparation is needed. Invest first in process documentation, technology infrastructure and team alignment. Automation projects at this stage carry a high risk of failure.
- 0 to 19 points: transformation is needed before automation. Focus on basic digitalization, process definition and cultural change. Automation will be the next step.
Regardless of your score, the first step is always the same: talk to someone who understands both the technology and the business context, and who can help you define a realistic plan.