A Six-Step Framework for Scoping Automation Projects | Community Summit 2026

A Six-Step Framework for Scoping Automation Projects

The most expensive automation mistake often happens before anyone builds a thing.

Download Kanwal Khipple’s practical framework for qualifying automation opportunities, evaluating complexity and risk, testing the value case, and deciding what should move forward before development begins.

A Good Build Cannot Rescue the Wrong Idea

Automation and agent initiatives do not always struggle because of poor execution. Sometimes the real problem starts earlier:

The wrong process was selected. The value case was never tested. Complexity was underestimated. Governance entered the conversation too late. Or the team started building before agreeing on what success should look like.

This presentation gives you a more disciplined way to evaluate an opportunity before time, budget, and development capacity are committed.

Originally prepared for Kanwal Khipple’s Community Summit North America 2026 session, the deck introduces a six-step discovery framework for scoping automation and Copilot Studio engagements through process qualification, complexity and risk scoring, stakeholder mapping, build-versus-buy consideration, and a clear go/no-go decision.

What You’ll Learn

Qualify the process before discussing the technology

Separate high-potential automation opportunities from processes that are unstable, poorly understood, or unlikely to deliver meaningful value.

Compare automation candidates consistently

Use a more structured scoring approach to assess competing opportunities instead of relying on whichever request is the loudest or most urgent.

Evaluate complexity and risk earlier

Surface dependencies, exceptions, data considerations, governance needs, and delivery risks while there is still time to change direction.

Map the people behind the process

Identify the stakeholders, process owners, decision-makers, subject-matter experts, and affected teams that need to be involved.

Test build-versus-buy assumptions

Introduce a lightweight check to determine whether the right answer is a custom automation, an existing capability, a process change, or no build at all.

Make a stronger go/no-go decision

Create a more defensible decision point before development starts, supported by business value, feasibility, risk, and stakeholder alignment.

The official session description confirms that the framework covers process qualification, complexity and risk scoring, stakeholder mapping, a lightweight build-versus-buy check, and a pre-development go/no-go gate.

What’s Inside the Slide Deck

Download the presentation to explore:

• A reusable six-step automation discovery framework
• Criteria for qualifying a process for automation
• A method for scoring and prioritizing automation candidates
• Ways to assess complexity, delivery risk, and governance considerations
• A stakeholder-mapping approach for discovery and decision-making
• A lightweight build-versus-buy evaluation
• A practical go/no-go gate to use before development begins
• A worked example based on an anonymized client engagement

The reusable framework, prioritization method, and anonymized worked example are identified as the session’s core attendee takeaways.

Built for Teams That Need Better Decisions Before Better Builds

This resource is especially useful for:

• Business and technology leaders evaluating automation investments
• Process automation and transformation teams
• Power Platform and Copilot Studio leads
• Solution architects and technical owners
• Business analysts and discovery teams
• Center of Excellence and governance teams
• Consultants responsible for shaping automation engagements
• Process owners trying to turn an idea into a viable initiative

Whether you are working with Power Automate, Copilot Studio, AI agents, or another automation platform, the framework is designed to improve the decision that comes before the build.

About the Community Summit Session

This presentation was prepared for a session at Community Summit North America 2026, taking place October 11–15, 2026 in Nashville. The event brings together the Microsoft AI, Dynamics, Power Platform, Microsoft 365, and business applications communities for education, training, and networking.

Get the Automation Project Scoping Framework

A promising use case is not automatically a viable project.

Download the deck to bring more structure to discovery, compare opportunities more consistently, and make a clearer decision about what deserves to move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in this resource? The resource includes the presentation slides for“A Six-Step Framework for Scoping Automation Projects (Before You Build Anything).” It covers process qualification, complexity and risk scoring, stakeholder mapping, a lightweight build-versus-buy check, prioritization, and a go/no-go decision before development.

Can the framework be used for Copilot Studio and AI-agent projects? Yes, the session specifically applies the discovery framework to automation and Copilot Studio engagements and is categorized under Agents & Copilot

Does the slide deck include a real-world example? Yes, the session uses an anonymized client scenario to demonstrate how the framework can influence what ultimately gets recommended.

Is this resource technical or strategic? Both. It supports strategic investment and prioritization decisions while also addressing practical delivery considerations such as complexity, risk, stakeholders, solution options, and development readiness.