1. Understanding AI

1.1 Learn What AI Is and Its Potential

• AI isn’t magic; it’s about teaching computers to make decisions based on data. Understand this basic principle.
• Know that AI can help automate repetitive tasks, make better decisions with data, and uncover insights you didn’t know existed.
• Separate the Hollywood hype from what AI can realistically do today.

1.2 Investigate How AI Is Used in Business

• Look for stories of companies that have successfully used AI, both in your industry and outside it.
• Note the areas where AI seems to have the biggest impact: analyzing text, recognizing patterns in data, enhancing customer interactions, etc.

2. Evaluate Your Company’s Readiness for AI

2.1 Check Your Data Health

• AI relies on good data. Do you have data that is clean, well-organized, and accessible?
• Consider the state of your data infrastructure and how data is managed and used in your company.

2.2 Assess Your Tech and People

• Look at your existing technology. Can it support AI? If not, what needs to change?
• Consider your people. Do they have the skills to understand and work with AI? If not, can they be trained, or should you hire new talent?

2.3 Measure Your AI Maturity

• Are you just starting with AI, or have you already implemented some AI projects? Use the AI Maturity Matrix to see where you stand and what’s next.

3. Set Your AI Direction

3.1 Envision Your AI Future

• Imagine how AI could transform your business. This is your AI vision.
• Share this vision throughout the company so everyone understands the AI direction.

3.2 Decide What You Want AI to Achieve

• Set clear and measurable goals for what you want your AI initiatives to accomplish. Align these goals with your overall business objectives.

4. Plan Your AI Journey

4.1 Choose AI Projects

• Identify where AI could make a real difference in your business. These are your potential AI projects.
• Think about a mix of projects—some that will give quick results and some that are more ambitious and long-term.

4.2 Prioritize Your AI Projects

• Decide which AI projects to do first, based on their potential value, cost, and risk. Use tools like the Effort-Impact Matrix to help make these decisions.

4.3 Map Out Your AI Path

• Create a timeline showing when you plan to implement each AI project.
• Remember to keep this plan flexible so you can adjust to new information or changes in the business environment.

5. Get Started with AI

5.1 Build or Buy AI Skills

• Decide whether it makes more sense to develop AI capabilities internally, hire new talent, or collaborate with external partners.

5.2 Kick Off Your AI Projects

• Begin with pilot projects to validate the benefits of AI. Use the results to fine-tune your approach and gain support for larger projects.

6. Learn and Adjust

6.1 Monitor Your Progress

• Establish indicators to measure how well your AI projects are doing. These could include cost savings, revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and others.

6.2 Improve Your AI Approach

• Learn from the successes and failures of your AI projects. Continually adapt and fine-tune your AI initiatives.