Process Automation: Best Practices for Choosing the Right Processes

Automation Check: The Difference Between Theory and Practice

"We can automate that!" – This phrase comes up in meetings more often than ever. And it's often true. The problem: Not every automation makes sense. Some cost more than they save.

Why Half of All Automation Projects Fail

The statistics are sobering: Around 50% of automation initiatives don't achieve planned results. The most common reasons:

1. Wrong Process Selected

• Too complex, too many exceptions
• Executed too rarely
• Too many manual decisions required

2. Wrong Expectations

• Overestimated time savings
• Underestimated implementation costs
• Ignored maintenance efforts

3. Lack of Preparation

• Process not standardized
• No clear rules defined
• Poor data quality

The 5 Criteria for Automation Potential

Criterion 1: Repetition Frequency

Rule of thumb: The more often a process runs, the higher the potential.

But note: Even rare processes can be worthwhile if they're very time-consuming.