Automate, Automate, Automate ….

#Automate , #Automate , #Automate ….

Article by Mark Stephens.

It might sound like an extract from Dr Who, but this is the key word on many digital entrepreneurs lips and minds.

If you have had your head in the sand, and haven’t already heard, the world is accelerating towards something being referred to in digital business circles as Hyperautomation.

This is not a new terminology, but it has rapidly changed form being an interesting concept that came onto my radar 12 months ago, to a vital element in every business technologists game plan.

Ask yourself, why would any self-respecting digital entrepreneur build anything that doesn’t replace repetitive and mechanical tasks with AI, machine learning or predictive analytical automated processes?

Another major consideration for any technology entrepreneurs looking to raise capital, (something that is never far from our minds), is that automation is also likely to be pretty high on any investors list of ‘key criteria’ when they are evaluating the defensibility of your investment opportunity, because the reality is, even the best ideas that solve real world problems can be taken and improved by someone else, and this is becoming the defacto approach by the bigger software houses that want to take your best ideas and make it their own.

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, organisations are faced with the relentless demand to shift to digital business models. As a result, hyperautomation has transitioned from being optional to becoming vital for businesses seeking to achieve agility and resiliency.

Hyperautomation refers to the use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotic process automation (RPA), and intelligent business process management suites (iBPMS), to automate and optimise business processes. It enables organisations to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation.

Moreover, it has the potential to reshape the traditional ways of working and create new opportunities for growth.

According to Gartner surveys conducted in 2021, over 50% of CEOs and 69% of boards of directors are demanding accelerated growth and operational excellence. In response to these demands, hyperautomation has emerged as a critical path towards achieving both objectives. Organisations are increasingly investing in hyperautomation initiatives, with over 80% reporting increased or continued investment in this area. In fact, to put this into perspective, Gartner estimates that more than 56% of organisations have four or more concurrent hyperautomation initiatives underway, and leading companies have even more than 10 ongoing initiatives at any one time.

One key aspect of successful hyperautomation within larger organisations, is the formation of fusion teams. Fusion teams are multidisciplinary teams that bring together individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, blending technology or analytics with business domain knowledge. These teams share accountability for business and technology outcomes and are organized based on cross-cutting business capabilities, outcomes, or customer-centric objectives.

Fusion teams do not adhere to traditional reporting structures and are not limited to IT personnel. In fact, Gartner's research shows that a large percentage (41%) of employees involved in hyperautomation initiatives are non-IT personnel known as "business technologists", a phrase that many of us can personally relate to.

Business technologists play a vital role in hyperautomation initiatives. These individuals possess the skills, interest, motivation, and job scope to conceptualise, design, develop, test, and produce technology, as well as data and analytics solutions. They bridge the gap between business requirements and technological capabilities, bringing a unique perspective to the fusion teams.

By strategically organising combinations of business technologists, IT personnel, security experts, and enterprise architects into elite fusion teams, organizations can foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, focusing on digital products rather than traditional projects.

Gartner's hyperautomation and fusion team survey identified ten factors that contribute to the success of fusion teams in hyperautomation initiatives. These factors can be categorized into three areas: co-operate, co-own, and co-create.

Successful fusion teams emphasise cooperation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing across team members. They also foster a sense of ownership and accountability for the outcomes of the initiatives. Furthermore, co-creation is essential, encouraging multidisciplinary teams to work together closely to develop innovative solutions that address complex business challenges.

Looking ahead, Gartner's strategic planning assumption suggests that the organisations that can most effectively govern and manage their hyperautomation initiatives will have a competitive advantage in the digital landscape of the near future.

In conclusion, hyperautomation has become indispensable for organisations striving to stay competitive in the digital age and have become a central focus for most technology entrepreneurs looking to reinvent solutions and push the boundaries of more established digital business processes.

While the involvement of business technologists and the formation of high-performing fusion teams are becoming more commonplace in driving the successful implementation of hyperautomation initiatives in larger companies, ?the demand for the ability to do things that require little or no cognitive input faster, will continue to drive innovation in the digital space among the start up communities too.