Automation, Integration & Data Flow Strategy
Analysis and planning for organisations that repeat the same manual steps across disconnected systems — mapping where automation and integration could genuinely help, and where it should not be forced.
Indicative starting price. Final pricing depends on scope and is confirmed in a written proposal.
When this service is usually considered
- Staff re-key the same data into more than one system.
- Reports are compiled manually from several disconnected sources.
- Two systems that should share information do not currently talk to each other.
- Manual steps are a known source of errors or delay.
- Leadership wants to know where automation would genuinely help, not just where it is possible.
What the review covers
- Process mapping of current manual work.
- Manual-step identification and volume.
- Integration requirements between systems.
- API opportunities where suitable interfaces exist.
- Data ownership across systems.
- Source-of-truth review for shared data.
- Exception handling for cases automation cannot cover.
- Security considerations for data in transit.
- Implementation sequencing.
- Written automation roadmap.
Where information gets stuck
A recurring pattern in automation and integration work: the data exists, but it stops at a boundary and someone re-keys it. This is the structure a review maps out before recommending anything.
Source systems
Where records are first created, often across several unconnected tools.
- Bookings and enquiries
- Spreadsheets and shared drives
- Finance or CRM records
Integration layer
How records actually move — by API where one exists, by export or by hand where one does not.
- Available API endpoints
- Scheduled or manual transfers
- Field and format mapping
Rules & exceptions
The judgement calls that decide whether a case can be automated at all.
- Validation and duplicates
- Cases needing a human decision
- Failure and retry handling
Operational platform
The system the organisation works in day to day, and the record it should be able to trust.
- Agreed source of truth
- Ownership per data field
- Access and permissions
Reporting & oversight
What management can see, and whether it is current enough to act on.
- Operational dashboards
- Exception visibility
- Audit and record keeping
Each engagement maps this structure against the organisation's actual systems. Not every layer needs work, and not every manual step should be automated — the review says which is which.
What is delivered at the end of the review
Process map
A documented view of current manual steps and where they sit between systems.
Automation roadmap
A prioritised, written plan for where automation or integration is recommended.
Exception notes
Clear identification of cases better left as manual steps, and why.
How this review runs
Scoping call
Confirming which processes and systems are in scope.
Proposal
Written scope, evidence required and indicative price.
Process mapping
Documenting current manual steps and system boundaries.
Analysis
Identifying automation and integration opportunities and constraints.
Written roadmap
Delivered output, walked through with the client.
What speeds up an accurate review
- A description of the manual steps causing the most friction.
- Which systems are involved and whether they offer any integration options.
- Approximate volume of the manual work (how often, how many records).
- Any known data-ownership disputes between teams.
- A named point of contact for scope decisions.
What moves the price beyond the starting point
- Number of systems and processes in scope.
- Availability of existing APIs or integration points.
- Complexity of exception handling required.
- Number of stakeholder interviews required to map processes.
- Whether the roadmap needs to cover multiple departments.
What sits outside the starting scope
Universal automation
Not every process can or should be automated; the roadmap identifies where it genuinely helps.
Building the integrations
This service delivers the strategy and roadmap; building the automations is a separate, individually scoped project.
Third-party licensing
Licensing costs for any automation or integration tooling are quoted separately where required.
Ongoing maintenance
Ongoing maintenance of implemented automations is a separate, optional arrangement.
Automation, Integration & Data Flow Strategy — FAQ
No. The review identifies where automation genuinely helps and explicitly flags cases that are better left as manual steps.
This service delivers the strategy and roadmap. Building specific automations or integrations is scoped as separate development work.
The review will note where integration is limited by a lack of suitable interfaces, and suggest realistic alternatives where possible.
Security considerations for data moving between systems are included as part of the analysis, at a strategic rather than implementation level.
Yes, scope can extend across departments where processes are shared; this is confirmed and priced during the scoping call.
Often considered alongside this service
Considering an automation and integration review?
Share the manual work costing you the most time. There is no charge for an initial conversation.