Many enterprises dive into automation with high hopes for efficiency and cost savings, only to find their projects stalled, underdelivering, or creating more complexity than they resolve. The common pitfall is a focus on technology first, rather than strategy. At McLean Forrester, we believe a successful automation journey is not about finding the quickest fix, but about building a sustainable, scalable capability that drives genuine business value.
A strategic approach separates transformative outcomes from disappointing experiments. Here are five best practices we guide our clients to follow for a successful automation implementation.
- Begin with the "Why," Not the "What" Align Automation with Business Outcomes The most common mistake is starting with a list of tasks to automate. Instead, begin by identifying a core business objective. Are you aiming to improve customer satisfaction scores, accelerate the month end close process, or enhance compliance and accuracy in reporting?
The McLean Forrester Approach: We work with your leadership to tie every proposed automation to a key performance indicator (KPI). For example, instead of automating "data entry," we focus on automating the "new customer onboarding process" with the goal of reducing onboarding time by 50%. This strategic alignment ensures that your automation efforts deliver measurable value and secure ongoing executive sponsorship.
- Prioritize Processes with a Structured Assessment Framework Not all processes are created equal. Automating a poorly defined or inefficient process will only amplify its problems. A strategic rpa approach requires a disciplined method for selecting the right candidates.
The McLean Forrester Approach: We employ a proven assessment framework that scores processes based on:
Volume and Frequency: Is the process high volume and repetitive?
Rule Based Complexity: Are the business rules clear, stable, and well documented?
Structured Data: Does the process rely on digital, structured data from reliable sources?
Impact and ROI: What is the potential for cost savings, error reduction, and productivity gains?
By applying this data driven filter, we ensure that your initial automation projects have the highest probability of success and the greatest return on investment.
- Embrace an Agile Methodology for RPA and Beyond The traditional "waterfall" approach to software development, with lengthy planning and a single, big launch, is ill suited for dynamic automation projects. An rpa agile methodology allows for iterative development, continuous testing, and rapid adaptation.
The McLean Forrester Approach: We build automation in short, manageable sprints. A typical cycle might involve:
Sprint Planning: Defining a small, valuable piece of the process to automate.
Development and Testing: Building the bot and conducting rigorous User Acceptance Testing (UAT) with the business users.
Review and Refine: Gathering feedback and making immediate adjustments before the next sprint.
This approach delivers value faster, manages stakeholder expectations effectively, and creates a bot that truly meets the end users' needs.
- Foster a Center of Excellence (CoE) Mindset from Day One Automation should not live in a silo within the IT department. To scale effectively, it requires governance, standardized tools, and shared knowledge. A Center of Excellence, even a lightweight, virtual one initially, is critical for long term success.
The McLean Forrester Approach: We help you establish the foundational pillars of a CoE:
Governance: Defining standards for development, security, and deployment.
Community of Practice: Creating a forum for citizen developers and IT professionals to share best practices.
Training and Upskilling: Building internal capability to maintain and scale your automation portfolio.
This transforms automation from a one off project into a core organizational competency.
- Plan for Change Management and the Human Element Technology is only one part of the equation. The people who will work alongside the automation are the most critical component. A best practice when approaching an automation is to proactively address the human impact.
The McLean Forrester Approach: We integrate change management into every step:
Communicate Early and Often: Explain the "why" behind the automation to all affected teams.
Position it as Augmentation: Frame bots as tools that eliminate tedious work, freeing employees for higher value, strategic tasks.
Involve End Users: Engage process experts in the design and testing phases to build trust and ensure adoption.
A bot that no one uses is a failed investment, no matter how well it is coded.
Conclusion: Build a Foundation for the Intelligent Enterprise
A tactical automation project might solve an immediate problem, but a strategic automation program builds the foundation for the intelligent enterprise. By following these five best practices, aligning with business goals, prioritizing strategically, developing agilely, governing effectively, and managing change proactively, you lay the groundwork not just for Robotic Process Automation, but for the more advanced capabilities of AI and Intelligent Orchestration.
At McLean Forrester, we partner with you to architect this future. We move beyond simply implementing software to building a lasting, transformative capability within your organization. Let us help you ensure your automation journey is not just successful, but strategic.
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