How to Write an AI Automation Brief That Avoids Overpriced Chatbot Pitches

A clear written brief, roughly one page long, is presented as the key step between wanting to automate a process and getting a working system. Vague goals like improving customer service should be replaced with a step-by-step description of the actual task, including its trigger, the systems involved, and how often it runs. The guidance also stresses listing the decisions the automation must never make alone, such as anything touching money or binding promises, and naming who can grant system access. Teams are advised to define a testable success standard, for example handling a set share of real past emails without human help. Finally, the article recommends assigning an owner for the exceptions the automation cannot handle, and notes that a good supplier may sometimes advise against building the tool at all.