Many firms find themselves spending a lot of their time working on tasks that are not worth their time, and repetitive. This can include the onboarding of new clients, keeping track of open items throughout a project, documenting feedback from review meetings, creating monthly invoices, following up on payments that are overdue and closing out projects. Automating these manual processes can boost efficiency and cut costs.
Identifying the processes that should be automated first requires a thorough understanding of your current business operations and systems. The best way to do this is to implement Business Process Management (BPM) methods.
Involving key team members in these brainstorming sessions and workshops to gain a better understanding of the current processes and what areas could benefit from automation. After the As Is process map is in place it is important to evaluate the effects of these processes on the overall business performance. It is also essential to identify any potential problems that could arise if these processes are automated.
Automation should not replace human interaction. It is intended to complement and enhance existing tasks. It is essential to realize that you won’t be able automate everything in one go. The most important thing is to begin slow, then test the tool and observe its performance as it’s implemented.
Whether you are trying to cut costs, streamline your processes, or both, there is a strong possibility that there is an automation solution for your firm. By adopting a practical and thorough approach to automation, your firm will reap the benefits of increased efficiency, transparency and reduced errors.