Look for repetition, not novelty
A good candidate is a task that follows broadly the same steps and happens often enough to matter. Moving form details into another system is usually an easier first project than a rare decision requiring negotiation or judgment.
Map the real work
Watch what people do. Identify triggers, owners, dependencies and the awkward exceptions. The process someone describes in a meeting may differ from the one happening every day.
Count costs carefully
Measure time, delays and rework. Distinguish time freed from cash saved: a task taking fewer hours does not automatically translate into money returned.
Use the simplest method
A predictable rule needs no language model. Use AI when unstructured input makes it worthwhile, and check its results where mistakes would matter.
Test failure, not just success
Try duplicates, missing fields, unavailable systems and unexpected inputs. Decide who is alerted and how the team continues when a step breaks.
The best first automation is usually unremarkable: a familiar task done reliably, without another tool to babysit.