Acumen Resource
Seven Questions Before Your Business Adopts AI
Before adding an AI tool, leadership should be clear about the problem, the information involved, and who remains responsible for the result.
1. What Business Problem Should Improve?
Name the work, delay, error, or decision that needs improvement. If the only reason for the project is that a vendor added AI, the business case is not ready.
2. What Information And Permissions Will The Tool Use?
Identify the systems and information the tool can reach. Existing access may already be too broad, so identity, sharing, and Microsoft 365 permissions should be reviewed before the tool is enabled.
3. What Will The Vendor Do With Business Data?
Review the terms and controls for the exact product and account type. If sensitive information or customer commitments are involved, include the appropriate privacy, legal, or compliance reviewer.
4. Who Checks The Result Before The Business Acts On It?
Name the person responsible for reviewing important output. The level of review should match the consequence of an error.
5. Who Will Own, Support, And Pay For The Tool?
Assign a business owner, an administrator, and a support path. Confirm the ongoing cost and what happens if the tool, vendor, or employee who built the process is no longer available.
6. What Would A Limited Pilot Look Like?
Test one defined use case with a small group, approved information boundaries, a short review period, and a practical success measure. Measure the business result, not the novelty.
7. What Happens After The Pilot?
Set the review date before the pilot begins. Use the evidence to expand, change, pause, or stop the use, then place any continuing work in the technology roadmap.
Related Acumen Guidance
Common Questions
Does Acumen provide AI consulting?
Acumen addresses AI within Strategic IT Guidance and managed IT planning. We help leadership frame the use case, review technical and security considerations, and decide whether a controlled pilot makes sense. Specialized development, training, legal, or compliance work may require a separate scope or another specialist.
Should every business adopt AI now?
No. The idea should solve a real problem and be supportable at an acceptable cost and risk. Deferring or rejecting it can be the responsible outcome.
Can employees put client or company information into a public AI tool?
Do not assume that is appropriate. Review the exact product, account type, data handling, and applicable customer or internal commitments before using sensitive information.
Bring The AI Question Into Your Technology Plan
Acumen can help leadership frame the decision and determine the next practical step.