Robotic process automation (RPA) is an exciting technology application that creates efficiencies by automating manually intensive tasks, freeing up employees’ time to focus on more value-added work. RPA’s benefits can be endless as organizations apply it to their various functions. But an organization cannot rely on the technology application alone. In fact, focusing solely on the technology aspect of an RPA solution can have the opposite of the desired effect.

To ensure the success of RPA implementation, it behooves an organization to identify an RPA partner who will focus on business process optimization. The first iteration starts with a business process analysis—a discovery of the services the organization delivers and the business processes in place to deliver them. “Decomposing” the existing business processes is necessary for determining how best to simplify their complexities.

The optimization process will provide an understanding of where challenges lie, the time a task takes, where there are redundancies and errors, and other useful details. From there, adjustments can physically be made to minimize costs and maximize efficiencies, while ensuring the business processes are accomplishing their main goal.

When an organization and its RPA partner take the time to optimize business processes, they will be in a good position to determine where an RPA solution will make the most sense and better prepared for that implementation. The organization will then be on its way to unlocking and releasing potential for faster cycle times, reduced errors, increased customer satisfaction, and lower service delivery costs.