Why Rushing into AI Without Process Mapping Fails | Inside Finance #4

You can't automate a finance process you don't understand. Yet, a lot of companies rush straight into AI implementation without ever mapping what they actually work on in detail. In this episode of Inside Finance, host Gerlyn Tiigemäe sits down with independent business process analyst Kreet Solnask to break down the essential groundwork that must happen before any AI tool or automation enters the picture: process mapping. Kreet shares how she applies her "process-freak" curiosity to everything from corporate workflows to pharmacy queues, and why detailed process modeling is the ultimate antidote to AI hallucinations. If you've been tempted to just give everyone Copilot and hope for the best, this episode is your reality check. Learn how to bridge the gap between what leaders think is happening and what is actually happening on the ground. Topics covered: • Why companies rush to AI without understanding their foundational workflows • The hierarchy of process mapping: Moving from high-level overviews to detailed steps • How to cross-validate data using a combination of SOPs and stakeholder interviews • Finding the "spots": Identifying duplicate activities, heavy handovers, and waiting times • How AI speeds up information gathering and creates BPMN models (and where it still fails) • Why the best process solutions must come from stakeholders, not external consultants • The shifting role of the analyst: Why AI means less manual writing but more exhausting critical thinking • A CFO's first steps: Why you should start with one small process instead of a two-year corporate overhaul About Kreet Solnask: Kreet is a freelance business process analyst, IT analyst, and process manager. With a diverse background spanning project management and data analysis across multiple domains, she helps companies understand their inner workings, identify inefficiencies, and prepare their workflows for successful IT and AI implementations. She also trains the next generation of business analysts on how to leverage AI tools without losing critical oversight. Connect:   / kreet-solnask   Website: https://kreetsolnask.com/ About your host: Gerlyn Tiigemäe spent 13+ years inside corporate finance - controlling, reporting, IPO prep - before helping finance teams put AI to work for real. She has since trained 5,000+ professionals across 100+ companies and was named Estonia's Trainer of the Year 2025. On Inside Finance, she cuts through the AI hype to show finance leaders what actually moves the needle. Connect:   / gerlyn-tiigemae   Website: https://gerlyntiigemae.com Newsletter: https://substack.com/@gerlyn #InsideFinance #ProcessMapping #BusinessAnalysis #AIImplementation #FinanceAutomation