Define how you want to execute the creation and scaling of your programme. Be careful not to account for too many deliverables in year one. Focus first on making sure the foundational components of your programme are firmly in place. This includes establishing a governance framework, understanding your resourcing needs, and evaluating whether your infrastructure is ready to support the creation of an intelligent automation tool stack.
To make sure you get the requisite resources and funding for your initiative, you must build a compelling case for intelligent automation, and communicate this clearly to your senior leaders. Clearly define your objectives for bringing this technology into the environment.
Some vendors cater better for companies that are looking to launch a citizen developer programme focused on upskilling business stakeholders. Others support a programme that is more centred around skilled, professional RPA developers. When selecting a technology platform, make sure the vendor’s strengths are a good match for your abilities and goals.
Often, organisations struggle to get their automation projects off the ground because they choose a complex, high-ROI project for the first use case or proof of concept. For your first foray into intelligent automation, rather choose a low-risk, low-complexity project – and build skills, confidence and momentum from there.
In some organisations, people are resistant to change. Often, there’s a lot of fear around robotics and AI because there’s concern that people will be displaced, and jobs will be lost. A lot of programmes struggle because employees do not believe in the technology. Through effective people and change management, however, you can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural shifts that need to happen to establish trust in the power of automation.
