Template Library

AI Use-Case Register Template

An Excel workbook for a portfolio of AI use cases: each idea scored on six weighted criteria, a gate for weak data or intolerable error risk, a tier (pilot now, prepare first, defer), status and review tracking, and a dashboard.

The Register lists each use case with its area, owner, the problem it solves, and scores from 1 to 5 for value, volume, process readiness, data readiness, error tolerance, and ease of integration. The weighted score, the gate, and the tier calculate from the weights and thresholds on the Settings sheet, which you can edit.

Each row also holds the status (from idea to live), the planned autonomy level, the expected yearly benefit, the next step, and a review date, with an overdue flag against the as-of date. The Dashboard shows use cases by status and tier, the top five by score, the expected benefit of the pilot-now candidates, and the reviews that are overdue.

Example data for eight use cases at an illustrative plant are included so you can see the formulas working before you replace them.

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What Is Included in the Workbook

Sheet	Purpose	What Teams Capture
Start Here	Orientation and workflow	What the workbook does and a numbered workflow with a link to the sheet for each step
Dashboard	Live summary of the register	Use cases logged and scored, pilot-now count, in pilot or live, expected benefit, reviews overdue, status and tier counts, and the top five by score
Register	The use-case register (Excel Table)	Use case, area, owner, problem, six criterion scores, calculated score, gate, tier, status, planned autonomy level, benefit, next step, review date
Settings	Weights, thresholds, and lists	Criterion weights and definitions, tier thresholds, the gate level, the as-of date, and the lists for status, area, and autonomy level

Key Features Inside the Template

The Same Criteria for Every Idea

Six scored criteria with editable weights, so ideas are compared on equal terms.

Gates for Deal-Breakers

Weak data readiness or error tolerance blocks a use case until it is fixed, whatever its total.

From Idea to Live

A status for every stage, a planned autonomy level, and a next step and review date.

A Dashboard for the Portfolio

See the pipeline, the top candidates, the expected benefit, and overdue reviews at a glance.

Best Use Cases

Collecting AI ideas from across the organization in one place
Ranking ideas before building business cases
Tracking the pipeline from idea to pilot to live use
Reporting the AI portfolio to a steering group
Teaching use-case selection

How to Use the Template Effectively

Check the weights, thresholds, and lists on the Settings sheet, and agree what a 1 and a 5 mean for each criterion.
List each idea with an owner, the problem it solves, and the expected benefit.
Score the six criteria in a group, using the written definitions.
Read the tier and the gate. Use the ranking to start a discussion, not to end one.
Build a business case for the pilot-now candidates, and update the status as each moves.
Review the register at the governance meeting, and clear overdue reviews.

Who Should Use This Template

Operations and process improvement leaders
Quality and continuous improvement teams
AI governance groups and steering committees
Students and trainees learning use-case selection

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Scoring alone instead of with the people who do the work
Arguing over a point or two of difference
Ignoring a gate because the value looks high
Letting ideas sit with no owner or review date
Treating a high score as an approval

Important Notes

Educational template. It supports an organization's planning and records for the use of AI. It is not legal, regulatory, security, or professional advice, and it does not replace your organization's policies, the laws and standards that apply to you, or qualified people. Check requirements with qualified people. Example data are illustrative.