AI Prioritization and Execution (APEX)

How Talbot West cuts through paralysis by analysis to identify the best focus for enterprise AI efforts

This article previously appeared in another form on the Talbot West website.

Problem: Too much hype and misinformation around AI and its capabilities. Also, executives are bombarded with potential use cases with little capacity to discern which are worth pursuing.

Solution: APEX uses 5-dimensional scoring and a three-round elimination process to reveal the best opportunity and the runners-up.

There's nothing more expensive than a bad decision, unless it's indecision.

In the realm of digital transformation, APEX protects companies from both.

How APEX works

A Talbot West APEX engagement evaluates a group of potential AI projects through five dimensions:

1. Most pressing needs: These are the squeakiest wheels, the biggest pain points, the highest priorities in the minds of key stakeholders.

2. Biggest impact: Which issues, if resolved, would drive revenue and/or increase margins most?

3. Technical feasibility: What can current AI/ML tech reasonably accomplish? We look for “slam dunks” and steer clear of “meh” outcomes.

4. Cost and complexity: What will it actually take to deploy a solution, both in money, time, and other resources?

5. Strategic alignment. Does this initiative move you toward total organizational intelligence or create another silo?

Three-tier analysis

Rather than drowning you in an analysis of every possibility, APEX uses competitive elimination:

Tier 1: Initial evaluation. We assess 10-15 opportunities, including your current initiatives and new possibilities that emerge from stakeholder conversations. Each gets scored on our five dimensions. The math is transparent. You see why certain initiatives advance.

Tier 2: Semi-finalist analysis. The top 3-5 opportunities receive deeper analysis. We explore implementation approaches, refine cost estimates, and identify dependencies. This gives you backup options and alternative paths.

Tier 3: Winner deep dive. The highest-scoring initiative gets comprehensive analysis. You receive precise cost projections, step-by-step deployment plans, resource allocation schedules, and risk assessments. This is your roadmap.

Why collaboration matters

APEX discovers solutions with you, not for you. Your people understand your systems, priorities, and constraints better than any outsider. We bring expertise of AI solutions and capabilities. You bring expertise about your company and its needs.

This collaborative approach serves two purposes. First, it ensures we identify the right opportunity. Second, it builds internal buy-in. When your team helps choose the path, they commit to walking it.

Solving for dependencies

Many AI initiatives fail on non-technical obstacles. Missing policies. Inconsistent processes. Fragmented data. Unclear ownership. These dependencies block progress more effectively than any technical limitation.

APEX identifies these obstacles early. More importantly, we often design technical solutions that eliminate dependencies entirely. Instead of spending months creating documentation standards, we might specify AI tools that capture and standardize knowledge automatically. Rather than waiting for perfect data, we might recommend systems that clean data as they process it.

What you receive

Your APEX assessment delivers three levels of analysis:

1. Broad-scope overview. See the full competitive landscape. Understand why certain initiatives scored higher. Know what you're not choosing and why.

2. Mid-depth analysis. Get detailed assessments of your semi-finalists. These become your backup plans and future phases.

3. Implementation roadmap. Your winning initiative comes with everything needed to execute: timelines, budgets, resource plans, risk assessments, and success metrics.

Building toward the future

APEX prevents the scattered approach that creates technical debt. Each initiative we recommend serves as a stepping stone toward total organizational intelligence. Your first project creates capabilities your second project uses. Your second project generates data your third project needs. Each success compounds.

This is how you avoid the trap of isolated wins that lead nowhere. This is how you build competitive advantage that grows over time. This is how you prepare for 2030 while solving today's problems.

Ready to begin your journey?

Contact Talbot West to explore how we can help you identify immediate AI opportunities while building toward comprehensive capabilities.

We’ll help you see both the big picture and the tactical steps that deliver value today while establishing a competitive position for tomorrow.