MVP Building - Knowing The Best For You

Practical AI Roadmap Workbook for Business Executives

A clear, hype-free workbook showing the real areas where AI adds value — and where it doesn’t.
The Dev Guys — Think deeply. Build simply. Ship fast.

Why This Workbook Exists

Modern business leaders face pressure to adopt AI strategies. AI discussions are happening everywhere—from vendors to competitors. But business heads often struggle between two bad decisions:
• Accepting every proposal and hoping it works out.
• Declining AI entirely because of confusion or doubt.

It guides you to make rational decisions about AI adoption without hype or hesitation.

Forget models and parameters — focus on how your business works. AI should serve your systems, not the other way around.

Using This Workbook Effectively

Work through this individually or with your leadership team. The purpose is reflection, not speed. By the end, you’ll have:
• A prioritised list of AI use cases linked to your business goals.
• A visible list of areas where AI won’t help — and that’s acceptable.
• A clear order of initiatives instead of scattered trials.

Treat it as a lens, not a checklist. Your AI plan should be simple enough to explain in one meeting.

AI strategy is just business strategy — minus the buzzwords.

Step One — Focus on Business Goals

Focus on Goals Before Tools

Most AI discussions begin with tools and tech questions like “Can we use ChatGPT here?” — that’s backward. Start with measurable goals that truly impact your business.

Ask:
• What 3–5 business results truly matter this year?
• Which parts of the business feel overwhelmed or inefficient?
• Which processes are slowed by scattered information?

It should improve something tangible — speed, accuracy, or cost. If an idea doesn’t tie to these, it’s not a roadmap — it’s just an experiment.

Skipping this step leads to wasted tools; doing it right builds power.

Step Two — Map the Workflows

Visualise the Process, Not the Platform

You must see the true flow of tasks, not the idealised version. Pose one question: “What happens between X starting and Y completing?”.

Examples include:
• New lead arrives ? assigned ? nurtured ? quoted ? revised ? finalised.
• Support ticket ? triaged ? answered ? escalated ? resolved.
• Invoice generated ? sent ? reminded ? paid.

Each step has three parts: inputs, actions, outputs. AI adds value where inputs are messy, actions are repetitive, and outputs are predictable.

Rank and Select AI Use Cases

Assess Opportunities with a Clear Framework

Evaluate AI ideas using a simple impact vs effort grid.

Use a mental 2x2 chart — impact vs effort.
• Focus first on small, high-impact changes.
• Big strategic initiatives take time but deliver scale.
• Nice-to-Haves — low impact, low effort.
• Delay ideas that drain resources without impact.

Consider risk: some actions are reversible, others are not.

Small wins set the foundation for larger bets.

Laying Strong Foundations

Data Quality Before AI Quality

AI projects fail more from poor data than bad models. Clarity first, automation later.

Design Human-in-the-Loop by Default

AI should draft, suggest, or monitor — not act blindly. Build confidence before full automation.

Common Traps

AI systems

Steer Clear of Predictable Failures

01. The Demo Illusion — excitement without strategy.
02. The Pilot Problem — learning without impact.
03. The Full Automation Fantasy — imagining instant department replacement.

Choose disciplined execution over hype.

Collaborating with Tech Teams

Frame problems, don’t build algorithms. Focus on measurable results, not buzzwords. Expose real examples, not just ideal scenarios. Agree on success definitions and rollout phases.

Ask vendors for proof from similar businesses — and what failed first.

Signals & Checklist

Signs Your AI Roadmap Is Actually Healthy

You can summarise it in one slide linked to metrics.
Your team discusses workflows and outcomes, not hype.
Pilots have owners, success criteria, and CFO buy-in.

The Non-Tech Leader’s AI Roadmap Checklist

Before any project, confirm:
• Which business metric does this improve?
• Is the process clearly documented in steps?
• Is the data complete enough for repetition?
• Where will humans remain in control?
• How will success be measured in 90 days?
• If it fails, what valuable lesson remains?

The Calm Side of AI

AI done right feels stable, not overwhelming. It’s not a list of tools — it’s an execution strategy. When executed well, AI simply amplifies how you already win.