What are the most common RPA bot failures and how can you avoid them?

1 Application changes

One of the main reasons why RPA bots fail is because the applications they interact with change. This can happen due to updates, upgrades, patches, or redesigns of the user interface or the underlying data structure. If the bot is not updated accordingly, it can lose its ability to locate and manipulate the elements it needs to perform its tasks. To avoid this type of failure, you should monitor the applications your bots depend on and test them regularly for any changes. You should also use dynamic selectors and relative positioning to make your bots more resilient to minor changes in the application layout.

2 Data quality issues

Another common cause of RPA bot failures is poor data quality. This can happen when the bot receives incomplete, inaccurate, inconsistent, or invalid data from its sources, such as files, databases, web pages, or emails. If the bot cannot process the data correctly, it can result in errors, exceptions, or incorrect outputs. To avoid this type of failure, you should validate and sanitize the data before feeding it to the bot. You should also use error handling and logging mechanisms to capture and resolve any data-related issues that may arise during the bot execution.

3 Network and system failures

RPA bots also rely on the availability and performance of the network and system resources they use. If there is a network outage, a system crash, a server downtime, or a security breach, the bot may not be able to access or communicate with the applications or data it needs. This can lead to bot failures or interruptions that can affect the workflow and the business outcomes. To avoid this type of failure, you should ensure that your network and system infrastructure is reliable, secure, and scalable. You should also use retry and recovery strategies to resume the bot operation in case of any network or system failures.

4 Human errors

RPA bots are designed to mimic human actions, but they are not immune to human errors. Sometimes, the bot failures are caused by mistakes or oversights made by the developers, testers, users, or managers involved in the RPA project. For example, the bot may fail because of a coding error, a testing gap, a user interference, or a management change. To avoid this type of failure, you should follow the best practices and standards for RPA development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. You should also train and educate the users and managers on how to use and monitor the bots effectively.

5 Business rule changes

RPA bots are also subject to the changes in the business rules and logic that govern their tasks. If the business rules change due to regulatory, market, or organizational factors, the bot may not be able to perform its tasks correctly or efficiently. This can result in compliance issues, customer dissatisfaction, or competitive disadvantage. To avoid this type of failure, you should keep track of the business rule changes and update the bot accordingly. You should also use modular and reusable components to make your bot easier to modify and adapt to the changing business requirements.

7 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?