Reading guide · Automation
Getting started with automation: from process question to first trial
Rekeying, waiting or recovery work: where should automation start? Make one process visible first, then use the existing articles to assess an approach and a limited trial.
Step 1 of 5
Map one process
Describe the start, finish, roles and where people search, rekey or check. Distinguish measurements from estimates.
What should you record? Process boundaries, owner and one open question.
Use the process canvasStep 2 of 5
Investigate a suitable approach
Can existing software exchange data? Compare integration with on-screen actions, and identify where review and recovery remain necessary.
What should you record? Initial approach, dependencies and what still needs confirmation.
Compare integration and RPAStep 3 of 5
Make the business case complete
Compare expected time savings with setup, review, exceptions and maintenance. Released capacity is not yet a proven cost saving.
What should you record? Costs, assumptions and observations needed for a decision.
Read about a realistic business caseStep 4 of 5
Define a first trial
Choose a question, representative cases and stopping criteria. Agree exclusions and who assesses the results.
What should you record? Scope, test cases, decision-maker and stopping point.
Read about a first automation pilotStep 5 of 5
Organise exceptions and operations
Identify who acts when processing is missing or partly completed. Include recovery and handover in the assessment.
What should you record? Exception owner, recovery agreements and operational checks.
Read about exceptions and recovery
Define your next step
Use the existing process canvas to organise the task, people involved and open question. When preparing a trial, the pilot checklist helps discuss scope, test cases and responsibilities.
Discuss your question
Bring one task or process and one open question. The first conversation with Joshua takes around 30 minutes and is free and without obligation. Further investigation or implementation is agreed separately.