When Engaging a Vendor for RPA Business Process Analysis

A successful RPA (Robotic Process Automation) implementation hinges heavily on comprehending the target business processes. Prior to developing a proof of concept (POC) using an RPA tool, it is essential to understand how these processes operate, the inputs, and outputs involved.

Understanding Business Processes

Thoroughly analyzing business processes, including understanding user behavior, is crucial for determining the value and feasibility of automation. This analysis helps in identifying inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas that can benefit from automation. It also aids in designing a well-thought-out POC, ensuring that the automation solution will meet the organization's needs and deliver tangible benefits.

Internal RPA Capabilities

Organizations with mature RPA capabilities in-house often handle activities such as demand management, feasibility assessment, and business and process analysis themselves. These teams have the expertise and infrastructure to handle these tasks efficiently. However, if your organization is just embarking on its RPA journey, it might be beneficial to consider bringing onboard a capable vendor to learn from their best practices and shorten your learning curve.

Vendor Engagement Considerations

When deciding whether to engage a vendor, it's important to weigh the potential benefits against the risks and costs. The failure rate for RPA projects can be as high as 50%, making it a significant concern if you attempt to handle everything in-house to save on costs. This approach could be penny wise and pound foolish; while you might save costs initially, the chances of a successful implementation are lower.

Buying from Software Companies

When purchasing RPA software directly from companies like UiPath or Blue Prism, it is generally advisable to avoid engaging those vendors for RPA business process analysis. The strength of RPA software lies in its ability to enable business process owners to automate their own processes. However, if you require assistance in assessing the suitability of your processes for automation, you could consider engaging a consultancy vendor for a diagnostic assessment. It is wise to work with them to build an assessment framework and then conduct the analysis in-house to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Conclusion

Engaging a vendor for RPA business process analysis can be a strategic move, especially for organizations starting on their RPA journey. Vendors can provide invaluable insights and best practices, helping to ensure a more successful and feasible automation project. By leveraging vendor expertise and fostering internal capabilities, organizations can optimize their RPA implementation, reduce risks, and achieve their automation goals efficiently.

Key Takeaways

Thoroughly analyze business processes before starting an RPA project. Consider in-house expertise if your organization has mature RPA capabilities. Engage a vendor for RPA business process analysis to learn from best practices. Avoid conflict of interest by working with consultancies to build an assessment framework. Evaluate the risks and benefits of vendor engagement for RPA projects.

Keywords

RPA vendor engagement RPA business process analysis RPA proof of concept