Use this checklist with a process owner, operational user, technology representative, and the person accountable for risk or policy.
Business case
- The process problem and desired outcome are written in plain language.
- Current volume, timing, quality, cost, or revenue measures are available.
- An accountable sponsor and process owner are named.
- The first scope is bounded and can produce evidence within a practical period.
Process readiness
- The current steps, handoffs, decisions, and exceptions have been mapped.
- The team can describe what correct completion looks like.
- Known policy and approval requirements are documented.
- Exception ownership and escalation routes are understood.
Data and integration readiness
- Required sources and systems are identified.
- Access, interface, data-quality, and identifier constraints are known.
- Sensitive information has an approved handling approach.
- Test data or a safe representative environment is available.
Operating readiness
- Users who perform and receive the work are involved in design and testing.
- Monitoring, support, change ownership, and recovery responsibilities are assigned.
- Training and communication needs are understood.
- A post-launch review cadence and improvement owner are agreed.
Decision
If several items remain unclear, begin with discovery rather than implementation. Readiness work is not delay; it prevents expensive rework and makes the value case more credible.