Thanks to the digital transformation, nowadays the implementation of an RPA (robotic process automation) is simpler than you might think. As a business, you can purchase the software outright and implement it yourself or contract it as a service with a consulting vendor to avoid the pitfalls of implementing RPA.
However you decide to implement robotic process automation, it is important to consider what are the most common mistakes when implementing process automation. In this way, when you decide to use RPA, you will avoid falling into any of these errors when implementing RPA and affecting your ROI (return on investment).
Not having the right knowledge
One of the most common problems is not having the appropriate experience and knowledge to implement RPA software. This is because if you want to improve productivity and return on investment you must know how this works.
Fortunately, fixing this is relatively easy. And it is that today there are companies that offer you the option of contracting an RPA as a Services, that is, as a service. This means that in addition to the RPA, you will receive support from the provider to make its implementation easier.
Thinking it’s the ultimate solution
Another of the common mistakes when implementing RPA is thinking that an RPA is a definitive solution. If you have ever seen RPA examples, you will notice that these are mainly focused on specific solutions or processes such as chats or invoice generation.
This means that the Bots will only focus on certain specific processes, not on all the tasks of the department. So don’t think that implementing robots will mean you don’t need employees in your finance and accounting department, for example. Bots will only help you to lighten certain processes.
Do not involve your employees
Although RPA will help simplify and automate certain tasks thus helping employees save time and energy, they must be directly involved with automating those processes. This is because in the end the employees will be in charge of working hand in hand with the Bots.
During the implementation of RPA, it is important to do it hand in hand with your employees, since this will help them to become better familiar with its operation, getting more out of it. So when you contract RPA as a Service, bring your employees with you so that they can also be trained in its use. This will avoid making mistakes when implementing common RPA.
Keep the IT team away
The IT team is essential for the RPA to work, since they will be in charge of keeping the Bots functional and programming the processes to be automated. Implementing RPA without IT being there is like buying a piece of machinery without trained technicians to operate it.
Just as you must bring with you the team directly involved with the processes to be automated, you must also involve the IT team. This is especially due to the fact that the IT team will be in charge of keeping the robotic process automation functional and free of errors.
Not properly mapping your processes
RPA software robots need well-defined processes in order to function, since they base their operation on the understanding of algorithms. Not defining the steps to follow for the robot will only cause it to get confused and not work properly.
Before implementing process automation it is important that you define each phase of the process. By being clear about these, you will be able to better train the bot so that it knows how to do its job accurately and efficiently. In addition to providing maintenance and correcting errors or adding new automated processes.
Implement RPA on broken processes
Finally, it is important to take into account that the implementation of an RPA must be done on defined processes. When the process is broken, the automation simply won’t work or is littered with errors.
One of the most common suggestions among automation and IT experts is to audit your processes before implementing RPA. This way you will not only be able to find out if the process is broken, but you will also know if it is too complex or tangled for RPA to automate it.
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