Robotic process automation (RPA) uses software robots to perform rule-based tasks on computers the way a person would — copying data between systems, filling forms, reconciling records. It can free significant staff time, but only when applied to the right processes.
Good candidates for RPA
- High volume and repetitive
- Rule-based with few exceptions
- Structured, digital inputs
- Stable systems and screens
Poor candidates
- Processes that change often
- Work that depends on judgement
- Broken processes with many workarounds
Fix the process first
Automating a poor process makes errors happen faster. Map and simplify the process with Lean, remove unnecessary steps and standardize inputs before building a robot.
Govern automation
Keep an inventory of robots and owners, define change control for the systems they touch, and monitor exceptions. Combine RPA with workflow tools and, increasingly, AI for documents and decisions, under clear human review.
