Booz Allen experts explain the key factors in implementation
Process automation is becoming a critical success factor for organizations that want to work faster, more accurately, and with the ability to scale. To implement this solution effectively, organizations should seek out a partner who understands the technology and strategy alike. We sat down with some Booz Allen strategists who are helping clients deploy these solutions based on their unique mission.
What is one of the biggest missteps you see as organizations consider process automation?
Whether it’s robotic process automation (RPA) or more advanced cognitive process automation (CPA), there’s a natural tendency for organizations to want to jump headfirst into how automation can solve human inefficiencies. In many environments, however, this is putting the cart before the horse.
A more responsive and cost-effective approach is to lead with strategy and consider how automation relates to business process re-engineering holistically. Some important questions to ask are: What are the workforce needs? What processes can be rapidly redesigned for enhanced performance? Once leaders have engaged and assessed the needs for efficiency across the organization, culture, and workforce, they can select and apply the right automation solution for the context, complete with a roadmap for change management.
How will process automation impact my workforce?
A common concern related to process automation is that it will eliminate jobs. However, rather than serving as a replacement for humans, automation can be an effective way to solve for staff shortages and empower employees to take on more complex work and leave the cumbersome and repeatable work to machines. For example, through automation in the medical community, providers will be able to spend less time gathering and analyzing data and more time engaging with patients.
The federal government is already yielding benefits in day-to-day operations so employees can work more effectively and at the top of their license. For instance, one of our clients in the Air Force used to have employees who spent most of the workday combing through data reports. Now, that same work is automated in 30 seconds, and the employee once tasked with that responsibility is able to use the time saved for completing more involved assignments.
What are the opportunities for automation in government?
There are undoubtedly different challenges (and opportunities) with automation in the government versus in the private sector. The sensitive nature of tasks, processes, and data—and the restrictions involved in handling classified materials—requires a tailored federal approach to ensure automation is appropriate, secure, and effective.
But when implemented intentionally and as part of a larger enterprise strategy, process automation can have transformative effects on organizations, including:
- Increased capacity for employees to work on more complex tasks
- Reduced task completion time
- Error reduction (human error reduced)
- Cost reduction (more effective than hiring and good for workloads with seasonal variability)
- Scalability (for single tasks to series of tasks)
- Standardization (eliminates variability that might come with human input)
Contributors to the piece include Eaton Kuh, Tommy McEvoy, Maurice Smith, and Alison Eddy.
