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Lesson 1 of 6
Digital · Guided lesson

Find the right process to automate

Select a frequent, stable, measurable workflow where automation will create more value than risk.

About 28 minutes Finish with a concrete deliverable
Microsoft Power AutomatePower Automate TutorialsYouTube
Course primer

Power Automate Tutorials

From Microsoft Power Automate. Watch here or open it on YouTube .

During the course primer, listen for ideas that change how you approach “Find the right process to automate.” Pause once to capture a useful point, then apply it while producing a ranked automation opportunity table and a baseline for one selected process.
Before you begin

What this lesson is really solving.

Select a frequent, stable, measurable workflow where automation will create more value than risk. This is lesson 1 because later decisions depend on a ranked automation opportunity table and a baseline for one selected process. Automation is a small factory; first choose a repeatable product and a process worth building. Use your own numbers, files, environment, and constraints so the result survives outside the course.

Why this works

Understand the idea before touching the steps.

Automation is a small factory; first choose a repeatable product and a process worth building.

Do this

Follow these steps in order.

Take the action in each step; then use the deliverable below to prove the lesson is finished.

  1. 1

    Inventory tasks that repeat daily, weekly, after a standard event, or across many similar records.

  2. 2

    Score each candidate for frequency, time, rule clarity, data consistency, error cost, sensitivity, exceptions, and build effort.

  3. 3

    Exclude unclear, low-volume, highly sensitive, or judgment-heavy work until the underlying process improves.

  4. 4

    Record the current time, error rate, queue delay, and number of handoffs so improvement can be measured.

Worked example

See the standard in context.

A studio coordinator chooses automatically logging approved booking forms to a schedule, not automatically deciding which artists deserve a slot. The learner saves a ranked automation opportunity table and a baseline for one selected process and notes the evidence or assumption behind the choice so it can be reviewed and improved later.

Quality check

Inspect before you move on.

  • The finished work visibly includes a ranked automation opportunity table and a baseline for one selected process.
  • You tested the work against this common failure: Automating the most annoying task even though it happens rarely or depends on constantly changing judgment.
  • Another person could verify this mastery standard: The selected process has a repeatable start, known output, measurable baseline, and manageable consequence if it fails.
Make it real

Your deliverable

A ranked automation opportunity table and a baseline for one selected process.

Common mistake

Watch for this

Automating the most annoying task even though it happens rarely or depends on constantly changing judgment.

You’re ready when

Prove it—don’t just recognize it.

The selected process has a repeatable start, known output, measurable baseline, and manageable consequence if it fails.

Objective evidence · 3 questions

Quick knowledge check

Answer from the lesson—not from confidence alone. Score at least 2 of 3 to unlock completion.

Not yet passed

This curriculum-aligned check is scored automatically and stored with your account when signed in. It is an objective learning signal, but it has not yet been independently validated as a standardized assessment.

1Which action belongs in the recommended process for “Find the right process to automate”?
2Which result is the clearest evidence that this lesson’s work is complete?
3Which choice matches the failure this lesson specifically warns against?
0 of 3 answeredEach question measures the action, evidence, or failure condition taught above.
Useful for this course

Tools, templates, and references

Automation design workspaceScore opportunities, map fields, record tests, and document operations.
Check current detailsReferences reviewed September 9, 2026. Lesson exercises are editorial synthesis; official rules come from the linked sources.
Microsoft Learn — Get started with Power AutomateZapier — Get started with Zapier
1
One check remains

Pass the knowledge check above first.

Completion unlocks after a score of 2 out of 3. Then confirm that you produced the lesson deliverable.

Go to the knowledge check