Robotic Process Automation Success Depends on Cooperation, Not Competition

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has emerged as an evolutionary technology, promising increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced accuracy in business processes. RPA successfully implementation not only involves correct process selection and technological aspects of it but also involves collaborative efforts between various stakeholders within an organization. This article focusses on the critical role of cooperation in RPA success, driving the narrative that a cooperative approach fosters better integration, smoother transitions, and more strategic outcomes compared to a competitive mindset. 

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) involves the use of software robots or “bots” to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks that were traditionally performed by humans. Since its inception, RPA has gained traction across various industries, including finance, healthcare, logistics, entertainment and customer service. 

Understanding the Challenges

The RPA market has experienced significant growth, with projections indicating continued expansion. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global RPA market size was valued at USD 1.84 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.7% from 2021 to 2028. Despite this explosive growth, the successful RPA implementation has had its fair share of challenges. 

While the industry has well established and documented technological aspects of RPA, the human and organizational factors that influence its success are often looked over. RPA benefits like cost reduction, increased operational efficiency, and the ability to reallocate human resources to more strategic and creative tasks often get added to different department and stakeholder’s strategic goals thereby driving competition rather than cooperation. This competitive mindset can lead to siloed efforts, resistance to change, and ultimately, subpar business outcomes. The problem, therefore, lies in the lack of a cohesive, cooperative approach that aligns with overall organizational strategic goals.

Competition vs Cooperation in RPA Implementation

Several studies have explored the dynamics of RPA implementation. Lacity and Willcocks (2016) highlight the importance of change management in RPA adoption, emphasizing the need for a cooperative approach. 

1. Competition: A Barrier to Success

Departments competes with each other for limited resources, prioritize their own processes over others, and limit knowledge sharing. This competitive behavior can manifest in several ways:

1. Resource Distribution: Departments may compete for funding, personnel, and 

     technological resources, leading to uneven distribution and inefficiencies often overlooking the actual need         and benefits.

2. Information Silos: Departmental competition often leads shielding information and best practices, hindering the organization’s ability to learn and improve collectively. This often leads to lot of supplication further draining organization resources

3. Resistance to Change: RPA is often seen as a treat to job security and hence you may see resistance on the adoption and implementations. Sometimes top-down approach leads to key employees being sidelined leading to resistance as well.

 2. Cooperation: A Pathway to Success

Alternatively, a cooperative approach fosters an environment where departments work together towards common strategic goals. Key elements of cooperation include:

1. Establish a Unified Vision: Leadership should articulate a clear and compelling vision for RPA that aligns with the organization’s strategic goals. This vision should be communicated consistently across all levels to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders.

2. Cross-Departmental Teams: Forming teams that include members from different 

departments promote knowledge sharing, reduces silos, and enhances problem-solving capabilities. Developing the best practices, lessons learned which can be documented and accessed by all employees.

3. Change Management: Effective change management and stakeholder engagement throughout the RPA journey mitigates resistance. Providing training & support enables employees to adapt to RPA evolution and bring in better collaboration. 

4. Establish Milestones: Establish metrics to measure the success of RPA implementation and celebrate milestones achieved. This motivates employees and drives further cooperation.

Tools and Methodologies

To facilitate a cooperative approach to RPA, several tools and methodologies are available at our disposal.

1. Process Mining: Usage of process mining tools like Celonis to analyze existing business processes and identify areas ripe for automation. This helps in bringing out common process across departments helping us making informed decisions about which tasks to automate.

2. Collaborative RPA Platforms: Leveraging collaborative RPA platforms like Uipath Orchestrator allows seamless integration between human workers and bots. These platforms often include features for monitoring and feedback.

3. Training and Development Programs: Implementing training programs to upskill employees for roles that complement RPA. This includes training in data analysis, process optimization, and digital literacy. Encouraging RPA certifications among employees is one of paths for wider adoption and skill developments. 

4. Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing feedback loops where employees can provide input on the RPA system’s performance. This not only enhances the system but also fosters a sense of ownership among employees.

Case Studies

To illustrate the impact of cooperation on RPA success, we examine two case studies:

1. Case Study 1: Cooperative RPA Implementation in a Financial Services Firm

A leading financial services firm decided to implement RPA to automate its back-office operations. The firm adopted a cooperative approach by forming a cross-functional team that included representatives from IT, finance, operations, and human resources. The cooperative effort resulted in:

1. A 30% reduction in processing time for routine tasks.

2. Improved data accuracy and reduced error rates.

3. Enhanced employee satisfaction due to increased involvement and transparency in the RPA process.

2. Case Study 2: Competitive RPA Implementation in a Manufacturing Company

In contrast, a manufacturing company attempted to implement RPA in a highly competitive environment. Different departments operated in silos, with limited communication and collaboration. The outcomes were less than optimal:

1. Delayed RPA deployment due to resource conflicts and lack of coordination.

2. Increased resistance from employees who felt excluded from the decision-making process.

3. Suboptimal performance of RPA bots due to inadequate process understanding and data sharing.

Conclusion

The success of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) hinges on the cooperative efforts of all stakeholders within an organization. A cooperative approach fosters alignment, enhances knowledge sharing, and mitigates resistance to change, leading to more successful and sustainable RPA implementations. Alternatively, a competitive mindset can create barriers, hinder progress, and result in suboptimal outcomes. By adopting strategies that promote cooperation, organizations can maximize the benefits of RPA and drive long-term value.

References

1. Grand View Research. (2021)

2. Deloitte. (2019). The State of Robotic Process Automation.

3. McKinsey & Company. (2018). Realizing the Full Potential of RPA

4. Gartner. (2020). Hype Cycle for Robotic Process Automation, 2020

5. Lacity and Willcocks (2016)

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