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SOP-25: Technical Qualification Protocol

The AutomationSurgeon's Project Complexity Gatekeeper
Version 1.1
Owner Founder
Purpose This document provides a systematic approach to qualifying projects and matching them to the appropriate service tier (Tier 1: Treatments, Tier 2: Projects, Tier 3: Custom AI, Tier 4: Enterprise Transformation). It ensures accepted work aligns with the sustainable business model and client expectations are properly managed.

1. Overview

1.1. Primary Objective

Implement a rigorous technical qualification process that matches projects to the appropriate service tier while ensuring the business model remains sustainable and profitable.

1.2. Critical Success Factors

  • Pre-Call Qualification: Assess complexity before diagnostic calls
  • Clear Decision Criteria: Match projects to correct service tier
  • Escalation Paths: Clear routes for complex projects
  • Time Protection: Optimize founder time allocation
  • Client Success: Ensure proper fit between need and solution

2. Service Tier Matching

2.1. Tier 1: AI-Powered & Operational Treatments (Green Light)

Qualification Criteria: - Integration count: ≤ 3 applications - Process steps: ≤ 10 steps - Data volume: ≤ 1,000 records/day - Timeline: ≥ 1 week - APIs: Standard REST/OAuth only - Decision points: ≤ 5 outcomes - Delay tolerance: ≥ 5 minutes acceptable

Investment: $1,000 - $3,000 Timeline: 1-2 weeks

2.2. Custom AI-Powered Solutions (Yellow Light)

Qualification Criteria: - Integration count: 4-6 applications - Process complexity: Predictive analytics or intelligent decision-making required - Data volume: 1,000-5,000 records/day - Timeline: 4-12 weeks acceptable - APIs: Mix of standard and custom - Decision points: 6-10 intelligent outcomes - Strategic value: Competitive advantage or significant ROI

Investment: $15,000 - $50,000 Timeline: 4-12 weeks

2.3. High-Value Transformation Projects (Premium)

Qualification Criteria: - Integration count: 5+ applications - Complexity: Multi-platform orchestration or full process re-engineering - Data volume: >5,000 records/day - Timeline: 8-16 weeks - Strategic impact: Company-wide transformation - Budget: $25,000 - $100,000+

Investment: $25,000 - $100,000+ Timeline: 8-16 weeks

3. Qualification Process

3.1. Initial Assessment Questions

Sent via email or form before call:

  1. "How many different applications does this process involve?"
  2. "Approximately how many manual steps are in your current process?"
  3. "What's your expected timeline for implementation?"
  4. "What's your budget range for this initiative?"
  5. "Do you need intelligent decision-making or just task automation?"

3.2. Qualification Response Scripts

Tier 1 Treatment Match: "Based on what you've described, this is a great fit for one of our Tier 1 automation treatments. We can typically deliver this in 1-2 weeks for $1,000-$3,000 depending on complexity. Would you like to schedule a diagnostic call to map out the specifics and discuss whether n8n, Azure Functions, or a hybrid approach is best for your requirements?"

Custom AI Solution Match: "This sounds like an excellent candidate for our Custom AI-Powered Solutions. Given the intelligence and predictive capabilities you're looking for, we'd build a bespoke system tailored to your specific needs. Investment typically ranges from $15K-$50K with a 4-12 week timeline. I'd love to schedule a strategic consultation to explore the potential ROI."

High-Value Transformation Match: "What you're describing is a comprehensive transformation initiative that would be best served by our High-Value Transformation service. This is enterprise-grade work requiring deep process re-engineering and multi-platform orchestration. Projects of this scope typically range from $25K-$100K+ with an 8-16 week timeline. Would you like to schedule a discovery session to explore the strategic approach and ROI projections?"

4. Red Flags (Defer or Reject)

Operational Risks: - Unrealistic timeline expectations (< 3 days for complex work) - Budget constraints significantly below appropriate tier - Unclear scope or constantly changing requirements - Multiple competing stakeholders with no clear decision maker

Technical Risks: - Unproven or beta technology requirements - Full-stack development or mobile app creation - SLA requirements beyond standard offerings - Infrastructure hosting responsibilities (unless part of AaaS offering)

5. Success Metrics

  • Qualification Accuracy: >90% of accepted projects deliver successfully
  • Tier Matching: >85% of projects correctly matched to appropriate service tier
  • Client Satisfaction: >4.5/5 rating on project fit and outcome
  • Time Efficiency: <10% of founder time spent on mismatched projects