FAST self-assessment: where do you stand today?

FFocusWhere the value is

1P&LDo you know which numbers in your P&L AI should move?

1 · Starting outAI has no target in the numbers yet. We're trying out tools.2 · Getting goingWe have ideas for using AI, but none is tied to a specific line in the P&L.3 · EstablishedFor our main initiatives we know which operational number they should move, and what it is today.4 · AheadEvery AI investment has a target in money and a baseline, and we review it regularly.

2DomainAre you focused on the area where the money is?

1 · Starting outIdeas come up at random across the company.2 · Getting goingSeveral pilots run in different parts of the company, with no shared priority.3 · EstablishedWe've chosen one or two key areas and are improving them end to end.4 · AheadWe choose areas by value and feasibility and transform them one after another.

3StagesHow do you fund AI improvements?

1 · Starting outWe buy tools and licences, without evaluating them.2 · Getting goingA large project, or a budget approved up front for the whole period.3 · EstablishedIn stages, but the next stage is approved on the plan rather than on results.4 · AheadEvery stage ends in a measured result. More money goes only where it paid off.

AAccountabilityWho drives it

4OwnerWho leads AI improvements?

1 · Starting outNo one in particular, or individuals on their own initiative.2 · Getting goingIT or an outside vendor.3 · EstablishedAn owner from the business, but without dedicated time and with little involvement from experts.4 · AheadAn owner from the business with time and accountability for the result. Experts are involved from the start.

5CapabilityWho can change the rules and settings of your automations?

1 · Starting outWe don't have automations that could be changed.2 · Getting goingOnly the vendor. Every change is an order.3 · EstablishedA few of our people, but the vendor makes most changes.4 · AheadOur people change the rules themselves, and their share of the changes keeps growing.

6RhythmHow is work split between people and AI?

1 · Starting outPeople do routine work by hand.2 · Getting goingPeople use AI assistants, such as ChatGPT or Copilot, for individual tasks.3 · EstablishedSome processes run automatically and people handle the exceptions, but the rules aren't written down.4 · AheadAI does the routine work, overnight too. People decide the exceptions, and what the system may do on its own is written down.

SSystemsWhat it runs on

7PlatformWhat do your AI solutions run on?

1 · Starting outExcel, e-mail and individual tools, each used its own way.2 · Getting goingSeveral separate tools or scripts from different vendors.3 · EstablishedSome solutions run on a shared platform connected to our main systems.4 · AheadOne open platform: we assemble new solutions from existing parts and can swap the AI model.

8DataIs your data ready for AI?

1 · Starting outData is scattered across spreadsheets and mailboxes, and no one fully trusts it.2 · Getting goingThe data exists, but we pull it together again for every use.3 · EstablishedKey data, such as customers, suppliers and prices, has an owner and is accessible.4 · AheadOur data is built once, as products with an owner and a quality bar. Every solution reads it, and corrections improve it.

TTractionWhat makes it land

9TrustDo you know what AI does in your company, and with what data?

1 · Starting outPeople use AI tools with no rules and no visibility.2 · Getting goingWe have rules for using AI, but we can't see what actually happens.3 · EstablishedKey solutions have role-based access and a record of their steps.4 · AheadEvery step is logged, access is role-based and data sits in a governed environment. AI gets more autonomy only as its results hold.

10ImpactDoes AI show up in your numbers?

1 · Starting outWe don't know. We don't measure the benefit.2 · Getting goingWe measure usage, such as how many people and how many queries, not results.3 · EstablishedWe measure time saved or errors found, but not the impact on the P&L.4 · AheadWe report value found, acted on and actually realised separately, against a baseline.

Where do you stand today?

Pick what's true for you today.

Answer all ten questions.