Business Process Analysis: When to Use

Yes, absolutely,  of anything significant, also for anything new or advanced like AI, or things that interact with people or have risky aspects.

Why a Business Process Analysis is critical before applying Automation

Simon Carter  in Towards Data Science

A Business Process Analysis is a powerful way to understand the health of various processes, and identify ways to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. In other words, it is about honest self-reflection to understand both what’s working, and what’s not.

Such an analysis enables process owners to understand the activities and people involved in the process, identify issues like delays, errors, or customer complaints, collect data about these issues, and then articulate plans and roadmaps for process improvements or enhancements.

It works best when applied to the right as-is process, because it can enable process owners to understand whether the process is meeting stated goals, and accordingly make sound judgements and decisions if it’s found to be sub-optimal. It’s also useful to use a Business Process Analysis before implementing any Automation to ensure that the process is both optimised and “automation-ready”.

However, there’s a common misconception among many companies, particularly those that are novices at such analyses and automation initiatives — that automation can help them magically “fix” broken processes.

It can’t.

This article explores why.

Business Process Analysis: Which Processes to Automate

Business Process Analysis tools such as flowcharts, process maps, gap analysis, and root cause analysis, along with automation technologies like Business Process Automation (BPA) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can help you find gaps and streamline many types of processes in areas like:  .... ' 

A Look at the Booming RPA Market

Very detailed piece, below the introduction.  Probably the most common question I get asked:  What is it, how is it different than AI?  People should also ask: How is it different from Business Process Modeling?  The analysis linked to below show how it is booming, even in difficult times. Note the highlighted key points below. 

Robotic process automation battle for a bigger prize: automation everywhere

Analysis by Dave Vellante in SiliconAngle

Robotic process automation solutions remain one of the most attractive investments for business technology buyers — this despite our overall 2020 tech spending forecasts, which remain at the depressed levels of -4% to -5% for the year.

Relative to previous surveys, we do see some softness in traditional RPA strongholds such as large financials, insurance and giant public and privates. But RPA relative to other technology investments remains at the top as the sector with the highest spending momentum – neck and neck with that of machine learning and artificial intelligence, and ahead of containers and even cloud computing.

In this week’s Wikibon CUBE Insights, powered by ETR, we want to update you on the latest RPA trends and share fresh ETR survey data with our communities.

Key points in this segment

Despite our tepid spending forecast for the year, demand for RPA software continues to grow at a 60% to 70% clip. Remember, RPA mimics human computer interactions using software scripts or robots that execute human tasks in a runtime assembly of discrete steps. The practice first became popular for back-office functions – mostly as unattended bots.

The pandemic appears to be accelerating front-office adoption and that’s creating a bit of a schism between front- and back-office processes, strategies and implementations. Digital transformation initiatives, in many ways, create the connective tissue between the front and back of the house. We see that connection as a linchpin of digital efforts.   ... "

BPA, RPA or DPA? Automating Process

Interesting piece, with criticism of robotic process automation.   It has somewhat focused application I agree.   Contrast of options is interesting.  I like the term DPA only because it does not include the confusing 'robotic' aspect.  Software is key, and it has to replicate the specific outcome of details involved.    I am always also concerned about maintaining the process context. 

It’s all about people: Dispelling the five myths of process automation By Jason Bloomberg in SiliconAngle

In a memorable scene from the movie “The Founder” about the origin of McDonald’s, the McDonald brothers plot the layout of their restaurant in a life-sized mockup drawn in chalk on a parking lot.

This example of process optimization was certainly “lean,” but it involved no software whatsoever. Today, in contrast, optimizing business processes almost always means automating them – at least in part. And when we say automation, we mean with software.

Just what software, however, is an open question, as today’s frothy software marketplace has spawned several contenders. From the business process automation or BPA of the last decade to today’s robotic process automation or RPA to the latest entrant, digital process automation or DPA, information technology decision makers have a plethora of options to choose from.

Be warned: This is a clear-cut case of caveat emptor. With the help of the big IT analyst firms, the providers in these overlapping categories have stirred up massive confusion. Let’s clear up the biggest misconceptions.

Myth No. 1: Digital process automation is more ‘digital’ than business process automation: .... '