Many organizations wait for the perfect tool to automate their systems, yet we forget that automation is not a means of simplification. Simplifying a process and automating it are two separate actions. We must simplify a process first before automation.
I recently wrote about waiting for the perfect tool and task containment as a means of simplification in design and construction. I realized this week that we ask for automation of a step or process to “streamline” or “simplify” it. With the AI potential looming – and the push to make construction more productive – we can’t fall for the temptation to automate a step or process, thinking that we are simplifying or streamlining it.
There are still tasks that humans can do better than technology: think critically and plan. If we seek to automate a task that should be accomplished via planning or critical thinking, we may save time up front, but we add time and money overall.
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