Process automation is becoming a must-have for businesses aiming to improve efficiency, cut costs, and enhance operational accuracy. While the benefits are immense, diving into automation without a clear plan can lead to challenges or even project failure. To help you avoid common pitfalls and set yourself up for success, here’s a guide on what to do—and what to steer clear of—when implementing process automation in your organization.
4 things to do when getting started with process automation
1. Start with clearly defined goals
One of the most important steps in process automation is setting clear objectives. Ask yourself what problems you are trying to solve. Do you want to reduce repetitive manual tasks, minimize errors, or speed up operations? Having a clear purpose allows you to identify which processes should be automated and helps set measurable KPIs for success.
Without clearly defined goals, it’s easy to get lost in the vast possibilities of automation and waste time and resources automating processes that don’t deliver real value. Always align your automation goals with your overall business strategy for the best results.
2. Focus on incremental implementation
Automating all your processes at once might seem like an ambitious and efficient move, but it’s often counterproductive. Start small, focusing on high-impact processes that are relatively easy to automate. Test these implementations, gather feedback, and fine-tune your systems before expanding to more complex areas.
By taking an incremental approach, you minimize risks, avoid overwhelming your team, and build a strong foundation for long-term success. A rushed, large-scale rollout can lead to chaos and missed opportunities for optimization.
3. Choose the right processes to automate first
Not all processes are created equal when it comes to automation, so selecting the right ones to start with is critical. Focus on tasks that are repetitive, time-consuming, and prone to human error, as these offer the quickest wins in terms of efficiency and ROI. Processes like invoice processing, data entry, or customer support ticket routing are excellent starting points because they require minimal customization and deliver measurable results quickly.
4. Don’t overlook employee training and buy-in
One of the biggest mistakes companies make is neglecting the people who will use the automated processes. Employees may feel threatened by automation or may struggle to adapt if they aren’t adequately trained. From the start, involve your team in discussions about how automation will help them, and provide training sessions to ensure they understand how to use new tools effectively.
Skipping this step can lead to resistance, poor adoption rates, and even errors if employees don’t use the systems correctly. Successful automation is as much about the people as it is about the technology.
4 things not to do when starting with process automation
1. Don’t skip process mapping
Skipping the process of mapping workflows before automation can lead to significant issues. Automating a flawed or inefficient process only speeds up existing problems, such as bottlenecks, redundancies, or errors. Instead of delivering the efficiency and accuracy you’re looking for, you might end up amplifying inefficiencies. Taking the time to map out your workflows allows you to identify pain points and areas for improvement before integrating automation tools.
2. Don’t rush into tool selection
With so many automation solutions available, rushing to pick a tool without thorough research can cause problems down the line. Choosing the wrong platform could lead to integration issues, functionality gaps, or poor user adoption. It’s important to consider factors like scalability, compatibility with your existing systems, and ease of use. Also don’t forget to involve key stakeholders in the decision-making process. At Hermes Wings, for example, we provide different type of automations that are custom made and seamlessly adapt to your existing tools and specific needs.
3. Don’t neglect stakeholder involvement
Process automation impacts multiple areas of your organization, so failing to involve key stakeholders can lead to friction and misaligned priorities. Stakeholders from IT, finance, operations, and other departments often have valuable insights into workflows, pain points, and system requirements. Skipping their input might result in solutions that don’t meet actual needs or are difficult to integrate into existing processes. Engaging stakeholders early ensures buy-in, creates a shared vision, and makes it easier to overcome challenges during implementation.
4. Don’t ignore metrics and ongoing evaluation
Once your automated processes are live, it’s tempting to assume the work is done—but this mindset can lead to missed opportunities for optimization. Automation tools often provide rich data that can help you assess performance, identify bottlenecks, and find areas for improvement. Ignoring this data means you might not notice if the system is underperforming or failing to adapt to evolving needs.
Set up a routine for monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and request feedback from users. This ensures your automation efforts continue to deliver value over time.
Conclusion
By avoiding these mistakes, you can maximize the impact of process automation, ensuring it becomes a true asset to your business rather than a source of frustration.
Process automation offers incredible opportunities for businesses, but only if approached thoughtfully. By focusing on clear goals, optimized workflows, and gradual implementation, you can unlock the full potential of automation. Just remember, automation is not a one-time fix—it’s an evolving journey that requires regular updates and a team that’s fully on board.
