You’re in a Process Automation career. How can you build trust with stakeholders?

1 Understand their needs

Before you design or implement any automation solution, you need to understand the needs, expectations, and concerns of your stakeholders. These could be your clients, managers, colleagues, end-users, or suppliers. You can use various methods to gather their input, such as interviews, surveys, workshops, or observation. Try to empathize with their pain points, goals, and preferences. Show them that you care about their feedback and that you are willing to address any issues or questions they may have.

2 Communicate clearly and frequently

Communication is key to building trust with stakeholders. You need to communicate clearly and frequently about the scope, objectives, benefits, risks, and progress of your automation project. You also need to use the appropriate channels and formats to deliver your messages, such as emails, reports, presentations, or demos. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your stakeholders may not understand. Instead, use simple and concise language that explains the value and impact of your automation solution. Also, invite your stakeholders to ask questions, share opinions, or provide suggestions. Listen to them attentively and respond respectfully.

3 Involve them in the process

Another way to build trust with stakeholders is to involve them in the process of automation. You can do this by creating opportunities for collaboration, feedback, and testing. For example, you can co-create user stories, workflows, or prototypes with your stakeholders. You can also ask them to review, test, or approve your automation solution at different stages. This way, you can ensure that your solution meets their needs and expectations, and that they feel ownership and accountability for the outcome.

4 Demonstrate your competence and reliability

Trust also depends on your competence and reliability as a process automation professional. You need to demonstrate that you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver a high-quality automation solution that meets the requirements and standards of your stakeholders. You also need to show that you can manage your time, resources, and risks effectively, and that you can handle any challenges or changes that may arise. You can do this by following best practices, documenting your work, reporting your results, and delivering on your promises.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?