Executive Summary: Most AI projects fail (87%) because they start with tools, not problems. This guide reverses that process, showing you how to audit workflows, identify high-impact use cases, and pilot your first agent swarm in 30 days.
Phase 1: The Audit & Strategy
Before buying a single ChatGPT Team seat, you need to map your "Manual Friction Points". We call this the MFP Audit.
Look for tasks that use the 3 R's:
- Repetitive: Done more than 3x/week
- Rule-Based: Requires logic, not empathy
- Readable: Input/Output is text or data
Phase 2: Pilot Selection
Don't try to automate everything. Pick ONE high-impact workflow.
Common Pitfall
Most founders try to replace a whole person (e.g., "AI Sales Rep"). Instead, replace a TASK (e.g., "AI Lead Qualifier").Phase 3: The Tech Stack
For 2026, the stack has simplified. You don't need 20 subscriptions.
- LLM Layer: OpenAI / Anthropic (via API)
- Orchestration: Make.com / n8n
- Database: Pinecone / Supabase (for context)
Phase 4: Scaling & Governance
Once your pilot works, duplicate the logic to other departments.
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