Smart systems. Clearer paths. Real progress
The Process of Elimination
S1. Episode: 3
Why Smart Teams Audit During, Not After #AI
You wouldn’t build a skyscraper without checking the foundation. But that’s exactly what teams are doing when they plug in AI without first understanding the process it’s meant to support.
In this episode of Process of Elimination, Ryan Edwards (Co-founder of Camino5) and Justin L. Brown break down the most overlooked move in modern AI strategy: the audit. Not a giant, seven-month audit full of flowcharts and jargon — we’re talking real-world, small-scale check-ins that uncover what’s actually working and what’s getting in the way.
Why Smart Teams Audit During, Not After #AI
Inside this episode:
Why most AI rollouts fail before they even begin
The difference between a post-mortem and a living audit
How ego and unspoken workflows create invisible friction
When to bring in outside eyes to create safety and clarity
The 5-question audit that shows you what to fix — fast
What it really means to “audit before you automate”
AI doesn’t fix a broken process. It amplifies it. This episode helps you clean up what’s under the hood before adding more power to the engine.
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In the context of the source, a process of examining workflows and practices not to look backward or find fault, but to identify opportunities for improvement and prepare for future changes, especially related to AI adoption. Seen as small, incremental discussions rather than large, daunting tasks.
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A review conducted after a project or event to analyze what happened, typically to identify what went well and what could be improved. Distinct from the forward-looking nature of the audits discussed.
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Small, focused audits on specific points or aspects of a workflow, aimed at identifying small adjustments that can lead to significant changes.
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Existing processes or ways of doing things that were established prior to the consideration or adoption of new technologies like AI.
Episode Glossary
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Auditing, contrary to its intimidating reputation, is a vital process, particularly in the age of AI adoption. It’s not about looking backward to assign blame, but about using past experiences to inform and improve future actions. Ignoring the audit process when implementing AI is like building a skyscraper without a solid foundation – it leads to a lack of accountability, unclear logic, and no plan for when things go wrong. Audits help identify areas for improvement, clarify workflows, and ensure intentional integration of AI, preventing frustration and fostering growth.
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A significant indicator that a company has bypassed the audit process is the prevalence of the answer "Why? Because." When asked why a particular task or workflow is done in a certain way, the response is simply "Because we've always done it that way" or "Because it worked for us previously." This reliance on legacy methods without questioning their current relevance in a rapidly changing environment, especially with the introduction of AI, signals a lack of critical evaluation that audits provide.
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Modern audits, especially in AI-native teams, should be incremental. Instead of being a large, daunting task performed after a project's completion, audits should be integrated throughout the process. These "micro-audits" are small, ongoing discussions focused on identifying minor adjustments that can lead to significant improvements. This incremental approach makes the process less overwhelming, allows for quick adjustments, and ensures that audits remain relevant in fast-paced environments.
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Ego can be a significant hurdle in the auditing process, as individuals may feel their work or decisions are being attacked. To mitigate this, bringing in an outside perspective, either from within the company but outside the specific team, or from an external consultant, can be highly effective. An outsider provides a fresh viewpoint and encourages individuals to explain their processes. This act of explanation inherently brings to light assumptions and potential areas for improvement in a non-accusatory way, fostering a safe space for discussion and objective evaluation.
Episode FAQ
Every two weeks, Growth in Practice brings together marketers, operators, and product leaders who care less about buzzwords and more about building what works. We go deep on what it takes to scale: yourself, your team, and your company. These aren’t lectures. They’re conversations among people doing the work, in real time.
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Process Of Elimination Episodes
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S1E1: Your SOP Is Broken and AI Is About to Prove It
In this first episode of Process of Elimination (POE), Ryan Edwards, Co-founder of Camino5, and Justin L. Brown unpack the real reason AI rollouts fail inside teams
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S1E2: Why AI Should Make You Dangerous
Unpack why the true advantage of AI isn’t speed, but what you do with the time and insights it creates.
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S1E3: Why Smart Teams Audit During, Not After #AI
The most overlooked AI move is the audit. Not flowcharts or jargon. Just simple check-ins that sharpen your system.
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S1E4: How to Preserve Brand Voice While Scaling with AI
The hidden risk in AI content workflows? Brand voice drift. It starts small, but over time your message can lose its edge and feel replaceable.
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S1E5: Are You Automating the Wrong Things?
Automation can save you time — but only if your system actually works. Otherwise, you’re scaling chaos.
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S1E6: Before You Build an AI Agent, Ask This: Is Your Workflow Ready?
Most companies are trying to plug AI into outdated SOPs and calling it innovation. But true AI agents aren’t just smarter tools, they are potential teammates. The real question isn’t can you build one, it’s should you?
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S1E7: The Culture Factor: Leading Teams Through the AI Shift Without Losing Trust
Most AI rollouts fail not because the tools are broken, because the culture is. If your team doesn’t trust the strategy (or trust you to lead it), adoption stops cold.
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S1E8: Prompt Engineering Is Dead: Why You’re Asking AI the Wrong Questions
Prompt templates. Libraries. Swipe files. They’re everywhere. But do they actually work?
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S1E9: Build Once, Use Forever — How to Create Modular AI Systems That Scale
If your team is using AI to get quick wins but not saving anything worth reusing, you're not building a system. You're just creating output.
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S1E10: The Great AI Reorg: New Tools Demand New Roles—Not Just New Tasks
AI is already reorganizing your company — whether you planned for it or not. Discover how culture, roles, and systems must evolve to unlock its true potential.
