The Rule of 100 and 1,000 and automation
I originally coined the rule of 100 and 1,000 in relationship to data conversion (here and here). I extended that rule to ongoing data management here.
The rule of 100 and 1,000 can also be applied to automation. Simply put, if you're managing fewer than 100 records for some process (e.g., accepting 50 submissions for an awards program), it's probably not going to be worth the effort to automate most of that process. But if you're receiving over a thousand submissions, you're definitely going to want to automate the process as much as possible.
In fact, for automation, I might adjust the rule to 100 and 500, especially if there are multiple steps in the process (e.g., submission, review, multiple communications with applicants, etc.).
It often doesn't make sense (in terms of time and money) to automate a process that can be managed manually. And definitely don't automate for the sake of automation.
The rule of 100 and 500 might help you decide whether or not to automate a process.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Look up PARTIAL names!
Look up PARTIAL names! Train your staff to do look ups on partial names, not full […]
Not Just Technology
Not Just Technology There was recently a discussion on the ASAE online community about project management […]
Consider quitting
Consider quitting Patient: “Doctor, it hurts when I do this.” Doctor: “Then stop doing that.” […]
There is nothing so permanent as business rules
There is nothing so permanent as business rules Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman said, “There’s nothing […]
Budget for feature discovery and adoption
Budget for feature discovery and adoption When developing a budget for implementation of a new […]
Customize staff pages for better user adoption
Customize staff pages for better user adoption The single most important element to data management […]
Don’t ask questions for which you already know the answer
Don’t ask questions for which you already know the answer I was recently completing an […]
All decisions involve risk
All decisions involve risk Whether it’s choosing a new AMS or introducing a new product […]
Try flowcharting your processes
Try flowcharting your processes Working with a client recently on their membership join process reminded me […]
“I just want a system I don’t have to fight with.”
“I just want a system I don’t have to fight with.” I asked my client: […]