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Manual vs Automated Task Tagging

This creates a clear baseline for where effort is spent and where improvement is possible.

You're labeling every step in the process as manual, automated, or hybrid. This is about truth, not aspiration—tag what actually happens today.

Step 1: Define the Three Task Types

Use only these labels:

  • Manual – Done fully by a person
  • Automated – Runs without human input
  • Hybrid – Part human, part system

Keep labels simple and consistent.

Step 2: Review Each Process Step

Go through each step in the process maps and ask:

  • Is a person doing this by hand?
  • Does a system handle it fully?
  • Does a person trigger or review system output?

Apply the correct label.

Step 3: Note Human Effort

For manual and hybrid steps, note:

  • Time required
  • Frequency
  • Number of people involved

This shows where effort concentrates.

Step 4: Identify Automation Gaps

Flag steps that:

  • Are fully manual
  • Repeat often
  • Require little judgment

These are common improvement candidates.

Step 5: Avoid Over-Labeling

Do not:

  • Label future-state automation
  • Label "should be automated" as automated

Only mark current state.

What You Should Have Now

✅ Process Maps with Task Tags

✅ List of manual-heavy steps

✅ List of hybrid steps with high human effort

Quality Check

  • Every step has one clear label
  • Labels reflect current reality
  • Manual effort is visible
  • No future assumptions included
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Next Step: With tasks tagged, you're ready to screen which ones are eligible for AI.

Want this done for you? Learn about our AI Audit service → OpsSystem.ai