Lock the Start

AI WORKFLOWFIT

Purpose Hardwire AI into daily work by linking it to the first click of a high-volume task.
Intervention type Behaviour-led trigger design + implementation-intention habit setting
Audience Leaders and managers setting AI strategy, running roll-outs, and owning adoption KPIs
Time 45-min trigger session · 5-min daily tracking · 15-min results huddle ≈ 2 h spread across 5 days

Expected outcomes

  • Users: Use the AI shortcut without prompts, hesitation, or workarounds.

  • Teams: Have a clear If-Then trigger and one simple guard-rail.

  • Organisation: Other teams ask for “trigger-setting” support, adoption spreads from the bottom up.

What to bring to the session

  • Workflow Activity Log (or screen recording of the task in action)

  • Observation Checklist (clicks, toggles, copy/paste, decision points)

  • Shortcut Name Bank (tested names + hotkey options)

  • Guard-rail Examples Sheet (simple decision boundaries)

Steps

1 | Setup

Step 1: Choose the task
Ask attendees to pick a high-volume workflow
(e.g. ticket creation, invoice coding, report drafting).
Ask:

“If this task were 5 minutes faster, would it matter 50× a day?”

Check for:

  • High volume

  • Clear process steps

  • AI already tested or available

2 | Trigger Session

Step 2: Watch the task live

  • Team rep shares their screen and performs the full task in the sandbox.

  • Others complete the Observation Checklist: note each click, copy/paste, toggle, decision.

  • Note the specific moment when AI would enter the workflow.

Step 3: Write the trigger (15 min)
Use the structure:

If I click [first action], then I hit [shortcut name] and AI [does the step].

  • Pick a shortcut name from the Shortcut Name Bank

  • Say it out loud together. If people stumble, it’s too long.

Step 4: Add a guard-rail
Define when not to use AI. Use the structure:

Skip AI if [condition: e.g., amount > £10,000 OR field contains “VIP”].

  • Keep it short.

  • Choose from the Guard-rail Examples if unsure.

Step 5: Practice it 5×

  • Each person runs the shortcut 5 times in the sandbox.

  • Say “Works!” out loud if it runs clean. Fix blockers immediately.

3 | Track & Use

Step 6: Log daily use

  • Share the Trigger Tracker Form in the team chat.

  • Ask people to log every time they use the shortcut.

  • Tracker auto-charts total use, minutes saved, and skips (if any).

Step 7: Stopwatch comparison

  • Time the same task from start to finish using the Stopwatch Worksheet.

  • Compare with Day 1 average.

Usage hits ≥80 %. Time saved hits ≥15 %. If not, review and adjust trigger or guard-rail.

4 | Wrap & Share

Step 8: Share results with team + leader

  • “Before vs after” chart from Trigger Tracker

  • % adoption, % time saved

  • Share wins in team Slack or daily stand-up

Step 9: Decide next workflow

  • If the shortcut sticks, choose the next task

  • If results were weak, refine the trigger and rerun the warm-up

Resources

Observation signal tips

Look for these six signals

Shortcut name bank

Pick a shortcut that matches the task type and role.

Guard-rail Examples

Other methods within the fit block

Human-AI Performance

By Lauren A Kelly

© 2026 Alterkind Ltd. All rights reserved.
Human-AI Performance™ is a proprietary methodology developed by BehaviourStudio using our Behaviour Thinking® framework. All content, tools, systems, and resources presented on this site are the exclusive intellectual property of Alterkind Ltd.

You’re welcome to use, share, and adapt these materials for personal learning and non-commercial team use.

For any commercial use, redistribution, or integration into client work, services, or paid products, please contact lauren@laurenakelly.com to discuss licensing terms.

Icons by Creative Mahira, The Noun Project.

Thanks to Nicholas Edell, Valentina Tan and multiple VPs implementing AI for your feedback during development.

LICENSE
Based on work by Lauren A Kelly.
For commercial licensing contact: lauren@laurenakelly.com