AI consulting: assess use cases and define boundaries
Advice should support an explained decision: which task fits, what data is needed and how results are checked. A convincing demo does not prove everyday value. A simpler solution may be the better outcome.
Name the desired advisory result
Opportunity assessment prioritises tasks. Feasibility examines one case. Selection advice compares solutions; usage rules or workshops prepare the business. Define deliverables and separately offered implementation.
Describe current work, desired improvement and error consequences. You need not already choose a model or architecture.
Distinguish automation, chatbot and agent
These approaches can combine. A chat interface does not show whether the system only answers or also acts.
| Approach | Useful distinction |
|---|---|
| Fixed automation | Defined rules and steps, possible without AI |
| AI assistance | Drafts, classification or analysis with result checks |
| Chatbot | Dialogue; knowledge sources and human handover need definition |
| Agent | Can choose steps and tools; rights and action boundaries needed |
Check data and permitted use
Clarify available information, rights, currency and ownership. Access to many files does not prove a reliable knowledge base. Suitable anonymised or synthetic examples may suffice for an initial test.
For personal data, assess purpose, processing and involved parties. Discuss retained inputs and reuse. Do not send raw confidential records or keys with a quote request.
Define quality and human decisions
Answers and drafts can be wrong or incomplete. Agree representative tests, uncertainty handling and owners. Controls must suit the consequences.
Define permissions and human approval before system changes, orders or messages. Bound retries and actions; review must exist in practice.
Structure advice and a bounded test
A pilot needs an objective, limited use and continue/stop criteria. It does not automatically authorise unlimited production operation.
- Assess. Task, environment, data and error consequences.
- Compare. Simpler alternatives, AI approach and effort.
- Test. Normal cases, exceptions, approvals and costs within boundaries.
- Decide. Record results, open risks and the next assignment.
Separate advice and ongoing use
Data preparation, connections, testing and introduction may add work. Later costs include subscriptions, consumption, storage, support and quality checks. Promised savings do not prove value.
| Cost item | Clarify the quote |
|---|---|
| Advice | Assessments, workshops and decision documents |
| Bounded test | Use, preparation and permitted connections |
| Implementation | Work covered by a separate assignment |
| Ongoing use | Consumption, limits, maintenance and exit |
Hand over usable decisions and rules
Document conditions for use or for deciding against it. Training and clear rules help staff understand limits. Service or data changes may require reassessment.
- Result. Suitability, alternatives and open issues explained.
- Control. Owners, approvals and stopping conditions defined.
- Costs. Recurring use and boundaries understandable.
Frequently asked questions
Must I know which AI to choose?
No. Describe tasks and goals; advice may recommend something simpler.
Is a chatbot automatically an agent?
No. Dialogue and independently selected steps or actions are different abilities.
Can outputs be used without review?
It depends on the task. Define consequences, checks and owners before use.
Does every project require model training?
No. Existing tools or suitable knowledge may suffice; assess the method.
Is technical implementation included?
Only as agreed. Separate advice, pilot and adoption.
How can costs stay controlled?
With bounded scope, visible usage, approvals and verified limits rather than an alert alone.
