Best Practices to Build Automation Capabilities

Which principles best support a successful Automation effort? 

Developing markets in every industry and region around the world are taking the necessary steps to become automated organisations entirely, as AUTOMATION is a fact we cannot miss. Their main objectives are to build their Automation capabilities to keep the pace of their competitors, by taking advantage of advanced technology like innovative platforms, Machine Learning, Robotics, or Artificial Intelligence, to redefine processes and workplace.

Recent studies indicate companies are now deploying technologies systematically. Others think they will start this change next year as it is clear these practices will provide significant opportunities to bring improvements, efficiency, and benefits around value and cost. So, the sooner, the better!

Listed below are the most mentioned capabilities to achieve:

- Making Automation a strategic priority

Automation in most companies is outlined as a priority during the strategic planning process; it is as well required to keep pace with competitors, to improve longer-terms cost base, to address concerns efficiently about business processes, and to reduce cost. Many organisations begin piloting the Automation of operations in one or more business units or functions, being telecom industries and high tech the leaders when it comes to Automation. It is more widespread in a large organisation than in small ones. However, it seems that successful results are uncertain, therefore executives are making significant efforts to meet targets.

The first steps to automate business processes are: a) Analysing cost/benefit, b) Find the best leader to communicate the intention of transforming your business into a new-automated culture c) convincing all stakeholders, d) Define the skills necessary to automate the whole company e) Define the role and responsibilities to fit the job) Begin a continuing-education program. 

- The implementation needs to be systematic

A systematic Automation approach is crucial, either through traditional implementation or across more flexible responsive methods. Automation technologies, like Machine Learning or other cognitive-based Automation such as cognitive or natural-language processing, and Robotic, can make the difference to succeed.

- A decentralised governance 

The decentralisation of Management Governance, providing a decision-making framework, bring success; however, business units are the only ones accountable for delivering Automation efforts throughout the company.

- Make sure the involvement of IT teams

The prompt commitment of IT teams leads and make a difference to achieve success in the Automation effort.

- Pay attention to both cost and benefits 

The leader needs to fully understand the financial estimate that helps buyers and owners determine the direct and indirect total cost of ownership (TCO) of product or systems, to bring success to Automation projects, and to meet targets while reducing cost.

- Prioritising workforce management

For high number of large organisations engage in Automation talent acquisition gap is quite a concern, as it requires talent with the right skills for this specific transformation.

The landscape changes when talking about small companies. Automation processes is not yet a common practice, so they are at the beginning stages of planning for Automation projects. Talent management in these small companies need to fully understand the TCO functions and accountability.

The leader can take several steps to get in Automation efforts leading to success:

- Launching these programs would benefit from making Automation a strategic priority.

- Defining clear strategic objectives for Automation. 

- Having an executive sponsor for the program, 

- Beginning with a comprehensive understanding of both the cost and benefits. 

- To make Automation an enterprise-wide effort, rather than a functional obligation. 

- Focus on roles and people accountability.  

- The specific role of IT needs to be raised up by involving their functions regularly, and as early as possible in all future efforts.  

- Take a look at workforce agents, including the development of an approach to capture value from Automation and the assessment of specific skills. 

- Define new roles for the workforce associated with future-state automated processes.

- Expand ownership and adoption.  

- Look to expand the governance of buy-in on automation.

SUMMARISING: Companies can benefit from encouraging an openly enterprise-wide program when pursuing more advanced cognitive Automation technologies, to keep pace with the rapidly cutting-edge approach every time they adopt new technology. 

Dave Food

Prophetic Technology