The world is gradually adopting technologies that provide simplicity for various tasks. Automation is one of the formidable technological trends that has contributed to the simplification of various tasks and services. Recently, automation gained recognition as a mandatory requirement for various business processes. At the same time, various reports outlined the emergence of Robot Process Automation (RPA).
Robotic Process Automation is the process of automation by using robots without any human involvement. RPA involves the configuration of computer software or a robot to replicate the interactions of a human being with digital systems. However, RPA challenges tend to create obstacles frequently. The following discussion will focus on some of the top challenges of RPA implementation.
What is RPA and Its Importance?
Before proceeding towards RPA challenges, let us find out more about RPA and its importance. As we have established, RPA involves using robots to do the tasks of human beings. The RPA robots make the most of the user interface to capture data and use applications just like human beings. The robots help in interpretation, triggering responses, and communication with other systems.
The involvement of RPA in conducting repetitive tasks is responsible for many common challenges in RPA. The advantages of RPA are comparatively better than other enterprise automation tools. First of all, RPA helps with automation with only a fraction of the investment in terms of costs and time.
Furthermore, RPA does not cause disruptions in the underlying systems and uses the existing infrastructure. Also, RPA requires the lowest upfront investment as compared to other automation tools. So, RPA seems like a reliable choice for automation of repetitive business tasks with efficiency!
Top RPA Challenges Businesses Faces in Its Implementation
The RPA market is continuously evolving and showing growth with top RPA trends. According to a Grand View Research report, the RPA market is expected to reach a total value of $3.97 billion by 2025. Also, around 53% of respondents in the third annual RPA survey of Deloitte reported starting RPA adoption.
Furthermore, 78% of companies that have adopted RPA are likely to invest more in RPA in the next five years. So, what can hold back such a promising technology? The common challenges in RPA A closer look at these challenges could help in the better resolution of setbacks in RPA implementation.
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Inadequate perceptions of RPA
The foremost mention among the top RPA challenges refers to process analysis issues.RPA implementation requires support from leadership and the working team. This can help foster confidence regarding the implementation of RPA. Also, it helps in including the whole company in developing a system working with the RPA.
The prominent issue in this case relates to the difficulty in making operations, which leads to a focus on and belief in the RPA concept. Therefore, you need to follow a distinctive approach to deal with one of the top challenges of RPA implementation. Rather than informing operation leads about RBA components and operations, communicate the benefits of RPA.
You should make efforts to help operation leaders understand the benefits of RPA for them as well as the organization. Most important of all, the challenge of process analysis issues can be resolved by encouraging awareness of operations, which leads to the benefits of RPA for the company.
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Enterprise-wide Approval
Another mention in the top RPA challenges refers to the issues with an appropriate business case. Approval from the top echelons of a business’ hierarchy is mandatory for the successful implementation of RPA. Also, approval from various major departments of the company for RPA implementation is mandatory.
Investor groups, operation floor leads, management, and finance are some of the major departments that should approve RPA implementation. Also, you need to consult with processes and departments that will be affected by the RPA implementation. Therefore, the recommended approach to solving this setback is the comprehensive involvement of every department in RPA implementation.
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Difficult to Find And Expensive RPA Teams
You will also encounter technical challenges in RPA implementation. RPA development is a new and specialized skill with comparatively lesser availability as compared to its demand in the market. Therefore, it is difficult to find a productive and competent RPA team. In addition, RPA teams can be quite expensive. Many organizations that search for RPAs generally lack a design team. Therefore, the recommended alternative is to work with professionals for a successful project in RPA implementation.
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Confusion Regarding Responsibilities
One of the notable RPA challenges is the lack of a clear outline of responsibilities in RPA implementation projects. Understanding the benefits of RPA would not be sufficient to get the best results. The implementation process matters considerably, and the implementation is dependent on the successful management of responsibilities.
Therefore, the recommended measure to address this challenge is a clear outline of the individuals and their responsibilities in detail. Furthermore, you should also describe the role of each employee in the RPA implementation process. Also, you should identify what the RPA will handle.
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Failure in Preparation
You can also encounter RPA testing challenges due to a lack of preparation in the initial stages. Projects that have been developed on the foundation of successful preparation tend to be productive. Many organizations face testing challenges due to focusing prominently on software configuration without any preliminary preparation. Therefore, you should evaluate the processes selected for automation and review them on an end-to-end basis, followed by their optimization. These measures can help you ward off any challenges in the later stages, such as testing.
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It May Be Effective But not Economical
The most highlighted challenge among RPA key challenges relates to price. RPAs are ideal for improving business process performance by around 70 to 80%. However, they are also expensive, and the price increases with the quality of automation desired or the process for automation. The costs of process redesign and training for employees to operate RPA raise the price. Furthermore, operating and maintenance costs also add up to the costs of RPA. Therefore, the RPA challenges of price imply that it is not the preferred solution in all cases.
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Lack of Proper Maintenance Protocol
Another concern that arises among RPA key challenges refers to the maintenance of the RPA.RPA challenges are not limited to the planning and implementation of RPA. The maintenance of the RPA is necessary for keeping the RPA functional and retaining the desired efficiency. Failure to implement a scheduled maintenance protocol can result in recurring issues in the RPA.
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Late Surprises!
Many companies do not realize that they have picked up the wrong RPA until the implementation phase. RPA testing challenges can arise in the implementation phase. Also, leaders could realize that the RPA is excessively complex or that the RPA doesn’t perform the custom job needed. Furthermore, companies could also find that the selected RPA alternative is very costly. The lack of attention in the planning and requirements analysis phases leads to this challenge.
Final Words
The discussion presented an outline of different general and technical challenges in RPA. Most important of all, the discussion outlined specific trends that are noted in the RPA market presently. However, the major highlight of the discussion was the illustration of various RPA challenges.
The impact of process analysis issues and business use case conflicts are the most important challenges. Subsequently, the discussion reflected on other challenges, such as a lack of competent RPA teams and inappropriate allocation of responsibilities. The discussion also presents a lack of preparation and the expensiveness of RPA as challenges.
If there are challenges, technologists have also found solutions to them. There are several methods to deal with and overcome RPA challenges, according to experts like eBotify. So, a clear evaluation of the setbacks mentioned above can help you achieve the desired outcomes in RPA implementation.”
