Robotic process automation (RPA) is solving many challenges for many businesses, delivering new efficiencies, and uncovered revenue in industries around the world. Of course, it is not without its challenges. Common problems with RPA are typically attributed to improper implementation and general failure to plan. But with careful implementation and consideration for the dynamics of how work will flow, RPA is a gamechanger. So today, we discuss some best practices for RPA, outlining how you can ensure the best returns on your investment.
Best Practices for RPA
- Careful Planning: Start by establishing explicit goals, then use them to design a strategic plan for implementation. Think logistically. “How will you build your processes? Which parts will be automated and why? What are the benchmarks for success? How will you nominate new processes for automation?” This plan should also account for change management; help your team adapt to workflow adjustments by anticipating change and preempting problems.
- Choosing the Best Processes for Automation: There are many use cases for RPA, but it’s important to ensure you select ones that are well-suited for automation. These include tasks that are repetitive, rules-based, and well documented. Once identified, prioritize the tasks in a way that will optimize the value of every bot. This is where Process Intelligence really helps you crystalize your RPA plans.
- Establish Leadership: Whether it’s a single manager or an entire multidisciplinary team, having dedicated leadership for RPA is one factor that can help companies scale quickly and effectively. For most businesses, having a Center of Excellence, or CoE, is the ultimate goal but even modest, smaller teams see big gains by placing someone at the helm. These leaders oversee implementation, help facilitate change, and champion success stories.
- Focus on Collaboration: From IT to the C-suite to HR and finance, RPA can impact every aspect of the business. Focus on maintaining open lines of communication with as much transparency as possible. This ensures goals are aligned and that RPA is not introduced in siloes, which can limit its benefits.
These are just a few things to keep in mind as you begin considering automation for business. Get in touch to learn more about our Intelligent Automation Platform or to schedule a demo.