Chapter 9: 5 Do's and Don'ts for First-Time Automation

First-time automation can feel like a high-stakes leap — but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, the Formic team distills hundreds of deployments into ten practical rules: five things you should do, and five traps you should actively avoid. The goal isn't perfection on day one; it's building early momentum that sets your team up for long-term success.On the "do" side: start with a clear business plan and trackable metrics, choose systems that complement your existing workflows, communicate your plans to employees early, design for future expansion, and study what's already working at other manufacturers in your space. On the "don't" side: avoid the temptation to automate everything at once, don't expect robots to fully replace your workforce, don't underestimate the expertise needed to keep systems running, don't overcomplicate your first project, and don't forget to measure results and evolve. The most successful automation journeys aren't the most ambitious ones — they're the most disciplined ones.Key Takeaways:Start with the problem to solve, not the technology to buy — define clear metrics upfront so you can prove the value of every deploymentAutomation should enhance what you already do well, not force a wholesale reinvention of your workflowsEmployees are your biggest asset — communicate early, frame automation as a tool that protects their jobs, and bring them into the process before the robot shows up on the floorDesign every first system with expansion in mind — modular equipment and flexible providers prevent you from painting yourself into a cornerAvoid the "big bang" approach — targeted wins compound over time and are far more sustainable than trying to automate everything overnightMeasure everything: track TCO, monitor performance, and stay willing to adapt — automation is a journey, not a one-time projectAutomate Now is written by the Formic team — Saman Farid, Danijel Lolic, Molly Garrison, Brooklyn Kiosow, and Shawn Fitzgerald — and edited by Brooklyn Kiosow. Formic helps U.S. manufacturers automate for the first time through Full Service Automation: no large upfront investment, no in-house robotics expertise required. If this episode made you think about where automation could work in your facility, start the conversation at formic.co.0:00 Intro 0:32 Do #1 — Create a Business Plan 1:15 Do #2 — Complement Existing Ops 1:52 Do #3 — Communicate With Employees 2:28 Do #4 — Design for Expansion 3:04 Do #5 — Learn from Innovators 3:39 Don't #1 — Automate Everything 4:15 Don't #2 — Expect Full Replacement 4:51 Don't #3 — Ignore Competencies 5:28 Don't #4 — Overcomplicate It 6:03 Don't #5 — Forget to Measure 6:40 Key Takeaways