AI strategy for growing businesses
How to prioritise AI use cases without backing the loudest idea
A practical scoring model for choosing AI opportunities by value, feasibility, readiness, risk and ownership.
Start with a comparable shortlist
Describe every opportunity in the same format: the business job, user, current cost or constraint, expected change, required data and accountable owner. Comparable briefs prevent enthusiasm and seniority from becoming the scoring system.
Score value and readiness separately
A high-value idea may be a poor first move if the data, process or ownership is weak. Keep potential value visible, then assess how much work is required before the use case can be tested honestly.
Make the portfolio decision
Choose a small mix of quick operational improvements and one or two strategic bets. Record what has been deferred and why, so rejected ideas do not return every month without new evidence.
Put the answer to work
Use this guidance against one live decision. Name the outcome, owner, evidence and next review point, then record what the business will do differently. Where the choice carries material legal, technical, financial, security or people consequences, bring the relevant specialist into the decision while keeping business ownership explicit.
What to carry into the work
- Use one brief for every opportunity
- Separate value from readiness
- Require a named business owner
- Keep a visible stop and defer list