Where should a new Head of AI start?
Plan a new Head of AI’s first quarter around the existing inventory, decision owners, a valued workflow and evidence for the next investment.
Start by counting what you already have: a proportionate inventory of AI use and who owns each decision. Then pick one workflow with a pound value and prove it on real data. Tenhaw’s readiness audit (four weeks, £44,000 fixed) and proof of concept (£20,000–£55,000) are built for that first quarter.
30 minutes with James · how this would work in your organisation
The basis for this approach
This is our recommended sequence from the published audit and governance methods. It does not claim a delivered first-90-days outcome for every organisation. Governance guidance is not legal advice.
The demand signal
The readiness audit examines opportunities across product, operations, internal processes and software delivery. It tests two or three workflows on real data and gives the board a costed plan in three-month increments capped at 12 months.
Bring the reason this is on your agenda to a 30-minute call with James, and we can explore what it would take in your organisation.
Book a 30-minute callWhy it stalls
2 failure modes we keep meeting
A new strategy overlooks AI already in use
Vendor features and individually adopted tools may sit outside the programme list. Count them before deciding what to classify, extend or replace.
The first pilot lacks a value owner
A technical demonstration cannot settle which investment matters. Name the person whose work or budget should change and agree how the result will be measured.
If one of these sounds familiar, bring it to a 30-minute call with James and we can explore a way past it.
Book a 30-minute callHow we approach it
3 moves, in order
- 01
Inventory systems and decisions
Record purposes, owners, access and review points proportionately. Bring risk and compliance into the operating-model discussion; legal classification remains with the legal owner. This is not legal advice.
- 02
Test a worthwhile workflow
Use the £44,000 four-week audit when choosing among candidates, or a £20,000–£55,000 proof of concept when one is already selected. Test the workflow on real data inside your tenancy.
- 03
Take an investment decision to the board
Show the baseline, tested evidence, costs, constraints and the next decision. The audit’s costed plan runs in three-month increments and stops at 12 months, with candidates to defer or stop recorded alongside the opportunities.
Show the baseline, tested evidence, costs, constraints and the next decision.
Prefer to talk it through? Ask us on a discovery call →
Sources
Every source below was opened and read before it was attached. Where nothing survived that check, the claim on this page was softened rather than given a plausible-looking link.
Tenhaw, AI Readiness AuditTenhaw, Agentic Proof of ConceptTenhaw, AI governance and regulatory evidenceThe closest guides to this one
Nearest first, then the rest. Each one carries the same label: written from delivery, or the method we would bring. All 34 are on the hub.
How a board turns AI strategy into measurable delivery
Turn board AI strategy into a funded workflow, agreed value and measurable use. See the audit readout, 90-day scope and ROI questions.
Our approachAI delivery lead: hire one or bring in a consultancy?
Choose permanent or interim AI delivery leadership around the work, timing and handover. See Tenhaw’s published £18,000–£35,000 monthly engagement.
Our approachWhat does an AI project manager do?
Understand an AI project manager’s responsibilities, forecasting method and relationship with engineers, suppliers and the business owner.
Our approachHow to build the business case for an agentic AI programme
Show what the investment buys and which assumptions could change the decision.
Our approachAI readiness assessment or proof of concept: which first?
Choose between a £44,000 AI readiness audit and a £20,000–£55,000 proof of concept by the decision you need to make next.
Our approachAI consultant day rates in the UK
Compare Tenhaw’s published AI consultancy day rates, fixed fees and monthly price basis, with the dated G-Cloud 14 benchmark caveats.
Or bring the problem to a call instead of reading three more of these.
Book a 30-minute callWork out the next step for your team.
A 30-minute call with James Rooney to discuss your workflow, people and budget. Leave with a rough scope and a useful next step.
AI Readiness Audit · £44,000 fixed · 4 weeks · excluding VAT
No time that suits? Email hello@tenhaw.com. Calendar not loading? Open it on cal.com.
Describe the work
Describe the work in a paragraph. James replies with a rough scope and budget range within two working days.
Questions this guide answers
What should a Head of AI do in the first 90 days?
Count current AI use, establish decision ownership and choose a workflow with a measurable value. Prove the important assumptions on real data and take a costed, staged plan to the board.
Strategy or delivery first?
Connect them through the workflow. The inventory and investment question guide a small test, and the results improve the plan. The audit is designed to leave both working prototypes and a board readout.
How do we pick the first workflow?
Compare expected value, feasibility, data and access, risk and the people needed to run it. Choose work with an identifiable owner and a baseline your team can measure.
What should go to the board?
The tested workflows, constraints, decision inventory, people and adoption needs, investment case and costed sequence. Include what should be stopped or deferred and why.
When do we need governance?
During the inventory and workflow design. Name accountable owners and review points while the choices are still being made, and produce evidence through delivery. This is not legal advice; counsel determines legal duties.