# Apply an AO to existing activity

Transfer a bounded operation, function, department, end-to-end process or business using observed quality.

Concept ID: axiomao:automate-existing-business
Language: en
Status: reference
Reference edition: 0.1
Canonical: https://axiomao.org/en/automate-existing-business/
Published: 2026-10-15
Modified: 2026-10-15

## Study the work before assigning it

Collect real inputs, decisions, results, exceptions, deadlines and dependencies. Include informal duties and handovers to people. A job title is not a full description of a function. Use anonymized representative cases where possible.


## Choose the scale of transfer

One operation is bounded work inside a process; a professional function includes recurring tasks and exceptions. A department combines functions, an end-to-end process follows a request to its outcome, and a whole business adds coordination across functions. Choose the smallest scope that can demonstrate useful responsibility.


## Transfer responsibility gradually



- Map existing work and choose a bounded function.
- Describe inputs, results, exceptions and acceptance criteria.
- Set authority and required approvals by action.
- Test representative ordinary and difficult cases.
- Compare quality, time, cost and human intervention.
- Transfer agreed responsibility gradually and monitor results.
## What to obtain first

Start with comparable execution of a small real case and an explicit review. Maintain a fallback to the existing process and name a stop condition. No automatic replacement of all employees or predetermined saving follows from the organizational form.


- [Describe the scope](https://axiomao.org/en/taxonomy/)
- [Compare transfer scenarios](https://axiomao.org/en/organization-archetypes/)
- [Prepare the mandate and passport](https://axiomao.org/en/organization-profiles/)

## Sources



## Related

- https://axiomao.org/en/design-your-organization/
- https://axiomao.org/en/professional-profiles/
- https://axiomao.org/en/evaluation-methods/