Which Processes to Automate First? A Prioritization Matrix

✍️ Introduction

Deciding which business processes to automate first is a critical step in any Business Process Automation strategy. In this blog, we explore a practical prioritization matrix that guides organizations to focus their efforts on processes that deliver the highest value quickly and sustainably — especially when working fully inside Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

⚠️ The challenge: choosing the right processes to automate

Automation can transform operations, but beginning with the wrong processes can result in wasted resources and missed opportunities. Common challenges include:

• Unclear criteria for prioritization
• Focusing on low-impact or infrequent tasks
• Lack of alignment between process complexity and expected benefits
• Insufficient visibility into process performance and risks

⚠️ Risks of improper prioritization

Without a structured approach, companies risk:

• Delays in realizing ROI from automation projects
• Overloading IT and process owners with complex initiatives too soon
• Undermining user adoption due to poorly chosen starting points

🛠️ The solution: a process automation prioritization matrix

A prioritization matrix helps objectively evaluate which processes to automate first based on two key dimensions:

• Impact: How much value automation brings in terms of cost, time savings, risk reduction, and improved control.
• Complexity: How difficult the process is to automate given current technology, integration requirements, and process maturity.

Using these dimensions, processes can be categorized into four quadrants:

• Quick Wins: High impact, low complexity. Ideal starting points that deliver fast results with minimal effort.
• Strategic Initiatives: High impact, high complexity. Worth pursuing but needing more planning and resources.
• Low Hanging Fruit: Low impact, low complexity. Easy to automate but with limited value — good for building experience.
• Defer or Do Not Automate: Low impact, high complexity. Generally avoided as they consume resources disproportionate to benefits.

By applying this matrix, organizations can systematically identify and sequence automation projects for maximum effect inside Dynamics 365 Business Central.

📦 What are the benefits?

• Clear decision-making framework to prioritize automation efforts
• Faster realization of benefits from targeting quick wins first
• Better resource allocation by focusing on processes aligned with strategic goals
• Reduced risks by avoiding overly complex or low-value automations early on
• Improved business process visibility and control throughout the automation journey

This approach complements NovaTerrae’s vision to make business processes visible, controllable, automated, and continuously improvable, all within standard Business Central, without custom development.

✅ Conclusion

Prioritizing which processes to automate is essential to successfully unlocking Business Process Automation’s full potential. A simple, transparent prioritization matrix provides a practical foundation for decision-making, enabling businesses to quickly improve efficiency, security, and compliance within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Start with quick wins, plan strategically for complex initiatives, and continuously refine priorities to drive ongoing business process excellence.