AI Readiness Checklist

Your business data is in digital systems

Customer records, financial data, inventory — stored in software, not filing cabinets or paper notebooks.

Your data is reasonably organized

You can find what you need without digging through years of disorganized files. Records have consistent naming and categories.

You know where your data lives

You can name the specific tools and systems where your important data is stored. (CRM, accounting software, spreadsheets, etc.)

Your data is accessible

You can export or share your data with other tools. It's not locked inside a system with no way to get it out.

You have enough data to work with

For the problem you want to solve, you have meaningful records. (e.g., 100+ customer records, 12+ months of sales data, 50+ support tickets)

You have documented workflows

Your team knows the steps for key processes — even if the documentation is a simple checklist, not a formal manual.

You can identify repetitive tasks

You know which tasks your team spends the most time on that follow a predictable pattern.

You have a clear problem to solve

You're not adopting AI because it's trendy — you have a specific bottleneck, cost center, or opportunity you want to address.

At least one person is willing to learn

You don't need an AI expert on staff. You need one person who's curious and willing to spend time learning the tools.

Your team is open to change

The people who will use the AI tools are willing to try new approaches — or at least not actively resistant.

You have someone who can manage the implementation

Whether it's you, a team member, or an external partner — someone will own the project and make sure it gets done.

You can allocate $200-500/month for AI tools

Most AI tools cost $20-200/month. You don't need a massive budget, but you need some.

You can invest 10-20 hours in setup

AI implementation takes time upfront — configuring tools, testing workflows, training your team.

You're willing to invest in training

Whether it's a course, a coach, or self-directed learning — your team needs to learn how to use the tools effectively.

You have realistic ROI expectations

You understand that AI saves time and money over weeks and months, not overnight. You're measuring results over 90 days, not 9 days.