Function Pathway Selector

Use this when

You need to decide which function should go first in an AI capability pilot.

Do not pick the loudest function. Pick the function with a visible pain, repeatable work, sponsor support, and a safe first workflow.

Function selector

| Function | Pain is visible | Work repeats | Sponsor exists | Safe first workflow | Builder candidate | 30-day proof | Priority | | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- | --- | | Marketing | | | | | | | | | CS / Support | | | | | | | | | Operations / PM | | | | | | | | | Sales / RevOps | | | | | | | | | People / HR | | | | | | | | | Finance | | | | | | | | | Design / Creative | | | | | | | | | Product / Engineering | | | | | | | |

Score the first five columns 1-5. The highest score is usually the best pilot. Override only when risk, compliance, or sponsor politics make the pilot fragile.

First workflow map

| Function | First workflow to try | Good 30-day proof | | --- | --- | --- | | Marketing | Brief-to-publish engine | More usable content shipped with less review drag | | CS / Support | Ticket triage and escalation summary | Faster, cleaner handoffs and fewer repeated answers | | Operations / PM | Status from messy inputs | Fewer status-chasing cycles and clearer risks | | Sales / RevOps | Prospect research and follow-up | Faster prep, better follow-up, cleaner CRM | | People / HR | Role starter kit | Faster onboarding and manager adoption | | Finance | Month-end recap narrative | Shorter reporting cycle and clearer variance story | | Design / Creative | Brief-to-concept | Faster usable directions and cleaner handoff | | Product / Engineering | Issue triage and small-change loop | Clearer issues, faster small PRs, better docs |

Selection rule

Start where all four are true:

• The workflow happens weekly or more.
• The output is easy to inspect.
• The risk can be controlled with review gates.
• A Builder can package it for non-builders.

Avoid starting where the first workflow requires deep integration, sensitive data, or executive politics before the team has proved the loop.