You're having trouble with process automation. How can you streamline your workflow?

If it is a workflow automation, first thing that is required is to understand how the same is being done in the current process. Find out what the benefits of automating a process is and if it actually brings in value. Once you understand the current process fully, and determine that automation is the better alternative, split each task into individual modules. From there on, identifying what can be automated is relatively easy. Guage if each step can be automated and then find out what all are required for each step to be automated. Then, start with implementation of the first module, and then the next and so on. In a gist, modularize and prioritize is the mantra to getting the best out of automating a process.

Always remember to ‘streamline the process first, before you automate’ to ensure one does not automate an inefficient process, which will obviously lead to inefficient automation. Furthermore, not only should you choose the right automation solution up front, (horses for courses) but you also need to identify the root cause if you encounter problems. Process documentation with required amount of detail, risk analysis etc is essential, along with proper testing and ensuring the right scenarios are tested up front. The devil is in the details and some details can be missed in the haste to implement the solution on time.

Cost, complexity & sustainability of the automation tool against the benefits (either tangible or intangible savings) should be the major factor to consider before selecting/implementing the automation Also it is ideal to look at the automation used to streamline the process have longer term impact or shorter term impact since shorter term impact solution may require further changes which will create additional cost/rework in future

Identify the primary driver for automation. Whether it is error reduction, manual work, cost optimization, faster processing, 24/7 operation, customer satisfaction or adoption of newer technologies.

To streamline your workflow and overcome process automation hurdles, take a step back and identify your goals. Map out the current process to pinpoint bottlenecks. Then, research and choose the most suitable automation tools. Remember, successful implementation requires testing, monitoring performance, and continuous learning to adapt and improve your automated workflows.

Process mapping is an iterative process. Perform interviews, record videos, ask questions, and remain humble and curious. Insist on not understanding in the first go-around, and have subject matter experts explain things more than once and from different perspectives. This adds dimensions and details that help business analysts distill the process down to its essense. To what should and could be automated.

Map out your automation proceds using Process design documents, process flowcharts and visual diagrams. These diagrams helps not only to map the existing flow bit also to identify possible dependencies, improvement opportunities and key risk factors. Always define your exception process in the process documents to support development, testing and also to use for references in the future for changes/improvements.

Map out your process: Visualize and document your existing workflow from start to finish. Identify each step involved, including manual tasks, decision points, data inputs, and outputs. Analyze the flowchart to identify redundant steps, inefficiencies, or areas prone to errors. This mapping exercise provides insights into where automation can be implemented to streamline the workflow. Practical Application: Begin by mapping out the existing assembly line process, identifying each step involved in manufacturing the automotive components. This includes tasks such as material handling, assembly, quality control inspections, and packaging. Analyze the workflow to pinpoint

Once we have clarity on the goals of the automation, the next thing that comes up is, digging down the process for all types of flows, inputs, outputs, stakeholders, business exceptions etc. Map everythin into documents like Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Process Design Document (PDD). These documents will hold AS IS as well as TO BE process. This will be our concrete base of our process automation.

Optimizing your workflow to automate processes can save you time and resources allowing you to focus on more strategic and creative tasks, for this reason Identify repetitive processes and prioritize the processes to automate as not all of them are suitable for automation. Once these processes have been identified, select the appropriate tools. To start first automate simple tasks, document the processes. Once automated, test and adjust. Then train the whole team on the automated processes, in order to monitor performance. Look for opportunities for continuous improvement without neglecting IT security in all processes.

Selecting the most appropriate tools is critically important to ensure 1) Optimal automation based on the nature of the process 2) Optimal automation cost 3) Facilitate business urgencies and to fulfill go-to-market strategies 4) use the most suitable technology with capabilities and for scalability

Choose your tools: Evaluate and select the most suitable automation tools and technologies for your workflow. Consider factors such as ease of integration with existing systems, scalability, flexibility, Whether it's robotic process automation (RPA) or AI-powered solutions, choose tools that align with your specific requirements and objectives. Practical Application: Evaluate various industrial automation technologies suitable for your manufacturing environment. This may include programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotic arms, conveyor systems, sensors, and vision systems. Select tools that are compatible with your existing equipment and can automate repetitive tasks effectively while maintaining safety standards.

Choosing your weapon wisely is also a critical decision in process automation because it involves major cost or investment for us. We have numerous tools to choose from based on our requirements. For example: If we want to automate a process which involves multiple web applications like WorkDay, Office 365, ServiceNow, Slack etc. we can choose IPaaS tool Workato. It's developed for these integrations.

Choosong tools depends on your current tech stack and what you want to accomplish. Budget also plays a role, but remember to look at the big picture, long term, and not just short term costs of time and money.

Assess the long-term compatibility of potential tools with the future direction of your company. As businesses evolve, so do tools and needs. Consider if the tool can adapt to tech updates and business scaling. Also, create a technology roadmap that aligns chosen tools with potential future technologies and integrations to ensure sustainable automation.

Tools are constantly changing and upgrading. Be sure to monitor your automations to see if they don't break and of course if there are ways to become more efficient.

Testing automation tools is like prepping ingredients for a cake; you ensure they’re perfect before baking. Monitoring its performance is akin to watching the oven to ensure a flawless bake. After implementation, track time saved, errors reduced, and workflow smoothness. Feedback from the team, like taste-testing, highlights areas for improvement. By testing rigorously and monitoring consistently, optimize workflows for maximum efficiency.

Testing will ensure production readiness of the automation. Thoroughly test the automation in an automated and manual way as well. Do regression testing for reliability check of the automation. Once the automation is deployed to production make sure we are monitoring the automation proactively for the first few executions. For monitoring automations continuously you can leverage logs & Insights of automation.

Test and monitor your automation: Before implementing automation, conduct thorough testing to ensure the reliability and accuracy of automated processes. Use test scenarios to simulate real-world conditions and collect feedbacks. Practical Application: Before deploying automation across the entire assembly line, conduct thorough testing on a small scale to validate the functionality and reliability of automated processes. Test for accuracy, speed, and consistency, ensuring that automated systems perform as intended. Once implemented, continuously monitor the performance of automated equipment using real-time data monitoring and feedback from operators. Address any issues promptly to minimize downtime and optimize production efficiency.

Establish a cross-functional task force dedicated to testing and monitoring automation, ensuring multiple viewpoints and concerns are addressed. This group should include IT specialists, end-users, and data analysts. Through diverse expertise, testing becomes robust, and monitoring is thorough, leading to a more resilient automation setup.

Continuous learning is key to automate processes with better ROI and reliability of it. Explore and test multiple tools in the market. Follow the community of the topics for latest advancements in the to which could help business to achieve better results.

Keep learning and improving: Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement in your automation efforts. Stay updated on emerging technologies, best practices, and industry trends related to process automation. Encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration within your team or organization. Regularly review and assess the performance of automated processes. Practical Application: Stay informed about advancements in industrial automation technologies and best practices through industry conferences, training programs, and networking with automation experts. Continuously seek opportunities to enhance automation capabilities, whether through software updates, equipment upgrades, or process optimizations.

Develop a culture of shared learning by establishing an internal automation guild or community of practice. This platform can be used for sharing experiences, challenges, and successes, along with hosting workshops or webinars about the latest advancements. Such communities enrich the organization with a collective understanding of best practices and innovative solutions.

Automated processes can and should in many ways be treated as you would an employee. Plan performance evaluations at certain intervals, retrain them as needed and keep them happy by providing ideal working conditions. Do this, and you'll have automations that contribute positively to your business.

One thing which i found helpful was to involve the key people involved, in the process being automated , from the very early discussions itself. A buy-in and ownership of impacted stakeholders is key to any Change Management .

Consider the broader impact of automation on company culture. Engage HR to develop programs that address changes in job roles and expectations. Designing targeted training and reskilling programs will help alleviate employee concerns about automation, thereby fostering a more positive reception and smoother transition to automated processes.