Top-down or Bottom-up: Where Do the Best AI Ideas for Business Process Optimization Come From?

Martin Weitzel -

When it comes to sourcing AI-driven innovations, there are two main paths:

  • Bottom-up: Ideas flow from employees through initiatives like idea competitions or workshops.
  • Top-down: A strategic approach where a central team defines use cases, ensuring alignment with business goals and an integrated AI strategy.

After testing both, I can say with certainty: it depends.

Bottom-up fosters employee engagement and sparks creativity from those who know the processes best. But these ideas can often be too focused on minor tasks—like making PowerPoints or designing workshops. These are useful but don’t drive major change.

For EBIT improvements, speed, and quality, the top-down approach is crucial. A dedicated team can target high-impact areas like costly processes and develop AI tools to address them. These use cases are integrated into a full process analysis, ensuring maximum impact.

My advice to CEOs and CFOs:
Set up a lean, high-powered team with:

  • 100% Management Consultant
  • 100% Process Automation Specialist
  • 50% Technical Expert (Engineering + AI)
  • 50% Business Analyst

Have them identify and execute the top 10 AI use cases, focusing on cost-heavy processes.

You’ll get the best of both worlds by blending bottom-up innovation with top-down strategy.

To my business contacts: Do you already have this team in place?

Feel free to share your opinion in the comments!