Choosing the first task worth automating

Pick a task that repeats often, has stable inputs, and follows a rule you can explain. Estimate the time saved across a month, not just one run. A task that needs constant human judgment may be better supported by a checklist first.

Define the expected output, failure conditions, and a review step before building automation. Start with a small trial and make retries safe so a failed run does not create duplicates or leak private data.

Which step is both repetitive and predictable?