The role of bots in an integrated workforce
Routine tasks such as combining data from different sources are common in the finance function.
As the accounting staff performs these tasks daily, their deep understanding means they’re best placed to build, amend and maintain bots as processes change, or the underlying software is updated.
RPA allows computer software to capture and interpret data from the business’s applications to complete the steps that form a process. It does this by following a prescribed sequence of steps, much like a person might, to:
So bots can be part of an integrated workforce, working alongside people to take over relatively simple tasks and allowing humans to spend more time on higher-value activities.
Bots allow “…humans to spend more time on higher-value activities.”
At its simplest, RPA Builder software learns from humans about how they carry out a sequence of steps in a process. Then, the software builds a bot to automate the work by following those same steps as rules in a set order. And, because RPA software is compatible with the business’s other software, it can access the same user interfaces that people normally use.
The best people for RPA Builder to learn from are those who carry out the task and are most familiar with it. Their knowledge of the underlying process will also be needed when change is needed later.
So they should be around for the long term, working alongside the bots and focusing on higher-value activities such as resolving any discrepancies that the bots escalate to them.
Some professional development may be needed to prepare them for this role.
Podcast "RPA: Do We Lose Control?" with Edward Brooks of The RPA Academy (New York, USA). GBD4
