Robotic Process Automation (RPA) involves a substantial amount of recurring, and rule-based tasks which automate the business by deploying software robots. These robots or bots work on their designated tasks continuously, and unlike the human workforce, these bots don’t require breaks.
However, every automation system requires a proper governance model to work efficiently with better speed, accuracy, flexibility, consistency, and scalability.
Governance refers to an order for swaying planned business objectives to achieve goals effectively. Involving a clear strategy for business processes, following proper discipline, commitment towards the project, implementation of proper tools required to elevate business processes, following proper documentation, monitoring the digital as well as the human workforce, proper evaluation, entailing an effective risk management plan, and ensuring proper security measures are important aspects of governance models.
The Need for Governance in RPA
The governance model is required in the RPA process to manoeuvre complications and obscurity for automating business operations. It proffers bona fide control over the processes to failsafe failures, risks, and problems involved while working with automated bots. It ensures the safety and integrity of the business processes and involves a structured plan to carry forward ongoing as well as upcoming goals and objectives.
Anything established without a genuine governance structure is most likely to fail. In the absence of a governing model, RPA processes can be vexatious, displeasing, and can become disorganized, and undisciplined.
Moreover, RPA bots have the access to an organization’s personal data and information, which, if not regulated or governed properly can lead to the deprivation of the business. Thus, it is really necessary to possess a proper, functional, and effective governance model.
A Preferred and Advisable Governance Model for RPA Involves
Constructive and Fruitful COE Team
Center of Excellence (COE) involves a group of specialists who have a specific skill set and knowledge for formulating, facilitating, and giving insights to plan, and carry forward a project. These specialists are cross-functional, and are connected to each and every department of an organization to ensure effective teamwork, and provide proper guidance in each step involved in the implementation of ongoing RPA initiatives.
Explicitly Established Policies
The most crucial part for the accomplishment of an RPA initiative is the identification of a proper governance model involving a clear strategy and policies. Every organization has a different RPA requirement and recognizing the appropriate policies for effective implementation is dependent on the tools and plans that are currently being used.
Understanding the Significance of a Sponsor
Sponsors, who are a part of COE, are completely responsible for the establishment of ongoing RPA initiatives. The sponsor must present strategy and plan distinctly. It is really important for the sponsor to have complete support and knowledge, and ensure proper system access and support required for the RPA initiative.
Lucidly Designated Positions
These consist of a set of experts, with lucidly defined positions and responsibilities for initiating, implementing, and catering an RPA process. The team usually involves –
- Sponsor
- Champion
- Change Manager
- Business Analyst
- Solutions Architect
- Developer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Supervisor
- Service Support Executive
Raising RPA Awareness
Effective and complete training of the employees, and making them understand the new automation strategy is also a crucial part of a governance model. For employees to understand and adopt the policies set out by a governance model, it is important for them to understand the foundations of an RPA system, which can be done through training sessions.
