Businesses face a lot of competition and need to find ways to improve their efficiency and cut down on costs. One way to do this is by automating their processes. However, around 30% to 50% fail to successfully implement process automation.
While automation can save a lot of time and money, it can also create new challenges for businesses that are not prepared to deal with them. Here is what you need to know about process automation, its challenges, and how you can avoid them.
What is Process Automation?
Process automation is the technology-enabled automation of workflows. It can remove unnecessary manual steps and streamline an organization’s operations by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving quality and compliance. The Decisions platform comes hand-in-hand with process automation as it enables business processes to be made quickly, consistently, and at scale without human intervention.
What Are The Top Process Automation Challenges?
While automation processes can offer many benefits, there are also some challenges that need to be considered. Here are some of the process automation challenges:
1. Complexity
Automating a process can often make it more complex, particularly if the process is not well understood to begin with. This can lead to problems such as errors, rework, and delays.
To avoid this, it is important to have a clear understanding of the process before attempting to automate it. With the Decisions platform, low-code and visual development techniques help to tame complexity making the process faster to develop and easier to maintain.
2. Identifying the Right Processes to Automate
Not all processes can or should be automated. When considering process automation, first identify which processes would benefit from automation and which would not. Automating a process that does not need to be automated can lead to increased complexity and cost while failing to automate a process that could benefit from automation can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
To identify the right processes to automate, consider the following factors:
- How often is the process performed?
- How critical is the process to the organization?
- How complex is the process?
- How well is the process understood?
- What are the potential benefits of automating the process?
3. Resistance to Change
Many people are resistant to change, even when it is clear that the change will be beneficial. When introducing process automation, it is important to manage expectations and ensure that everyone understands the benefits of the automation. Additionally, have a plan in place for how to address any resistance to change.
4. Implementation and Integration Issues
This challenge can happen when process automation is not properly integrated into the organization’s existing systems and processes. It can lead to disruptions and errors and can even make the automation more difficult to use. Decisions coaching can help avoid these issues by helping you integrate the Decisions platform seamlessly with your existing systems.
5. Security and Privacy Concerns
When automating a process, personal or confidential data may be stored in the system. This can create a security risk if the system is not properly secured. Also, privacy concerns may arise if people are not comfortable with their data being stored in the system. To address these concerns, have a plan in place for how to secure the system and protect people’s data.
6. Implementation Cost and Time
To ensure that the project is successful, have a clear understanding of the costs and time required for implementation. Decisions coaching can help you get up and running quickly and efficiently by helping you create a plan for how to manage the implementation process.
How to Avoid These Challenges
The challenges with process automation can be significant, but there are ways to avoid them. To avoid these challenges, it’s important to:
- Have a clear understanding of the process before attempting to automate it.
- Consider which processes would benefit from automation and which would not.
- Manage expectations and ensure that everyone understands the benefits of the automation.
- Properly integrate the Decisions platform into the organization with the help of Decisions coaching.
- Have a plan in place for how to secure the system and protect people’s data.
- Understand the costs and time required for implementation.
- Have a plan in place for how to finance the project and how to manage the implementation process.
Overcome These Challenges with ExpressAbility
When it comes to process automation, the challenges can seem overwhelming. But with the right planning and execution, these challenges can be overcome.
At ExpressAbility, we offer a Decisions Coaching service that will help your company successfully implement process automation with the Decisions platform. Our team of experts will work with you to understand your specific needs and challenges.
Contact us today to learn more about our Decisions Coaching service!
