Before you automate, map the everyday steps

This draft explores a planning approach for spreadsheet automation. It does not describe a finished automation tool. ## Write down the current process List the input, the checks, the output, and the person responsible for reviewing it. Include the exceptions that usually need manual attention. ## Choose a small starting point Begin with a repeatable, low-risk task using synthetic practice data. Make the expected output clear before writing scripts or introducing AI tools. ## Plan for errors Decide what should happen when a required value is missing. Keep a manual fallback and test that the process stops clearly when it cannot continue. ## Keep people in the review loop Automation still needs maintenance and review. Do not upload confidential data to an external AI service without the appropriate authorization and a suitable data-handling arrangement.