1. Validate the workflow
Check who touches it, what exceptions exist, and which decisions must stay human-owned.
Operational cost calculator
Put a dollar value on the work required to keep a manual workflow moving.
Estimate the recurring internal labor cost of one workflow using volume, time, and a fully loaded hourly cost. Use it to prioritize what deserves a closer look—not as a savings promise.
How to use the result
Start with the cost of repeated coordination, then decide whether the workflow is ready to redesign.
2. Map the handoffs
Identify the systems, inputs, outputs, and missing-information loops that create the cost.
3. Scope a responsible next step
Compare a defined workflow solution with the operating burden it is intended to address.