AI Readiness Audit | Services | Forward IT Thinking

Who this is for

SMB leaders who need a secure runway before automating approvals or customer touchpoints.
Ops teams responsible for finance, HR, or compliance processes where oversight matters.
Teams that need a human-in-the-loop plan before handing work to AI helpers.

A recorded map of workflows, data sources, and decision owners we can automate safely.
A risk heat map that calls out control gaps, sensitive data paths, and compliance touchpoints.
Stakeholder alignment notes, approval gates, and rollout considerations for each automation idea.

Step 1

Kick off with a 60-minute session to define outcomes, guardrails, and decision owners.

Step 2

Map workflows, approvals, and data boundaries via interviews and workspace builds.

Step 3

Rate each automation for value, confidence, and control so you can prioritize safely.

Step 4

Package recommendations with people, policies, and verification steps ready for handoff.

Example scenario: Finance lead needs faster vendor approvals.

Situation: Manual routing causes bottlenecks and lapses in sign-off clarity.
Automation: Structured checklist with staged approvals and automated nudges.
Guardrails: Role-based approvals, audit logging, and human review before payment.
Outcome: Cycle time drops while the CFO keeps control over spend.

Example scenario: HR team onboards new hires across remote offices.

Situation: Forms, policy steps, and training slip through inboxes at scale.
Automation: Guided workflow that pulls data, prompts reviewers, and keeps docs together.
Guardrails: Explicit human checkpoints for compliance pieces and final sign-off.
Outcome: Consistent, auditable onboarding without replacing the HR touch.

Does the audit require me to buy automation tools?

No; we focus on your current stack and processes, then show where automation can slot in safely.

How long does the audit take?

Most audits wrap in 3–4 weeks with two touchpoints per week and a validation working session.

Will my team be involved?

Absolutely; we collaborate with operators, decision owners, and compliance partners to gather real intel.

Do you build the automations, or just document them?

The audit delivers ready-to-build recommendations. We can help implement as a follow-up engagement.

We will review sensitive workflows, approvals, and the guardrails you already have.

30–60 minute conversation to scope the audit.