When this workflow is a good AI candidate
The workflow becomes attractive when it happens often, the required inputs already exist digitally, the desired output is clear, and a mistake can be caught before an irreversible action.
Signal 01Repeated oftenEnough weekly volume to create meaningful leverage.
Signal 02Evidence availableThe model can work from approved source information.
Signal 03Exceptions separableUncertain cases can be routed to a person.
Current workflow
BEFOREMANUAL BASELINE
01Pull source dataCurrent
02Compare periodsCurrent
03Write commentaryCurrent
04Build reportCurrent
05Review & sendCurrent
A controlled AI-assisted workflow
AFTERPROPOSED BOUNDARY
01Approved data arrivesControlled
02System computes deltasAI-assisted
03AI drafts commentaryAI-assisted
04Owner reviews anomaliesControlled
05Report deliveredControlled
The goal is a reliable handoff: AI prepares or classifies the repeatable middle, while controls govern what is written, sent, approved or escalated.
Controls to design before launch
- Use approved source data and preserve links to underlying metrics.
- Never invent explanations for unexplained movements.
- Require human review before external delivery.
- Separate factual variance description from strategic interpretation.
How to measure whether it worked
- Hours per report
- Time from period close to delivery
- Correction rate
- Unexplained-variance rate
- Client-facing edits after draft
Replace estimates with observed results.
Measure at least one quality metric alongside time saved. Faster bad work is not an improvement.