Stop Chasing Shiny AI Objects: How to Pick Your First Transformation Win

Micah Margolis
Jun 9
3 min read

We've all been there. In every strategy session or innovation lab, the same question inevitably bubbles up: "Which AI or transformation use case should we tackle first?"

It's a fair question, but too often, the answer sounds like a tech catalog or a wish list – not a strategic roadmap. Here's the truth: not all use cases are created equal, and trying to do everything at once guarantees you'll do nothing well. In fact, a recent report by McKinsey highlighted that only 11% of companies achieved significant ROI from their AI investments, often due to a lack of clear prioritization. So, how do you cut through the noise and prioritize what truly matters?

1. Start with the "Why," Not the "Wow"

Just because a use case is cool doesn't mean it's strategic. We get it, generative AI is exciting! But the coolest tech won't move the needle if it doesn't solve a real business problem. Focus on use cases that directly align with your business goals, tackle urgent customer pain points, or unblock operational bottlenecks.

Ask yourself:

Does this solve a real, costly problem? (Think: an AI-powered fraud detection system that significantly reduces financial losses.)
Will this improve speed, accuracy, or customer experience in a measurable way? (For example, a chatbot that resolves customer inquiries 30% faster, directly boosting CSAT scores.)
Can we tie it to revenue protection or growth? (Imagine predictive analytics for customer churn, leading to a 15% increase in retention, or AI-driven personalized recommendations boosting sales by X%.)

2. Map Impact vs. Feasibility

This is where a simple 2x2 matrix becomes your best friend. Plot your potential use cases by:

Impact: How significant will the positive effect be on customers, cost savings, or revenue growth?
Feasibility: How easy or difficult will it be to implement? Consider factors like data availability, tech readiness, and stakeholder alignment.

Focus your energy in the high impact / high feasibility quadrant. This is your "quick win" zone – where you'll get the most bang for your buck and build crucial momentum.

Top Right (High Impact / High Feasibility): These are your Strategic Imperatives or Quick Wins. Tackle these first.
Bottom Right (Low Impact / High Feasibility): Think of these as Low-Hanging Fruit or minor operational improvements. Good for building confidence, but not core transformation.
Top Left (High Impact / Low Feasibility): These are your Big Bets or Transformative Challenges. They require more planning, investment, and often depend on unlocking "table stakes" first.
Bottom Left (Low Impact / Low Feasibility): The "Discard" or "Avoid" zone. Don't waste precious resources here.

3. Don't Skip "Table Stakes"

Some use cases aren't flashy, but they unlock everything else. These are the foundational pieces that make complex AI initiatives possible. Prioritize them early, even if they seem "boring."

Think about things like:

Centralized data access: Without clean, accessible, and comprehensive data, your AI models are starved of the insights they need to be effective.
Workflow integration: Isolated AI tools offer limited value; true impact comes from embedding AI directly into your existing processes and systems.
Role-based permissions and governance: Essential for security, compliance, and ensuring responsible, scalable AI deployment across your organization.

4. Test Before You Scale

Don't go all-in on an unproven concept. Use pilots, sandboxes, or limited user cohorts to test your assumptions. Think of it as making small bets for big learning. This allows you to validate your ideas early, course-correct fast, and avoid costly missteps down the line.

5. Involve the Right Voices

Your best ideas, and your strongest validation, might come from the people closest to the actual pain points. Engage teams from customer service, back-office operations, compliance, or even front-line staff. Using a cross-functional lens for evaluating value ensures you're addressing real-world needs and building solutions that will actually be adopted.

Final Thought:

When you prioritize use cases with clarity and purpose, you don’t just build cool things; you build things that truly matter to your business and your customers. That's how transformation stops being just a buzzword and starts becoming traction.