Understanding automation frameworks
As businesses race to stay ahead in our ever-changing digital world, automation has become the secret sauce that’s driving efficiency, innovation, and growth to new heights.
If you want to add automation to your work, you may be wondering what the best ways are to start. Or, if you currently use automation for some process but want to scale it throughout your organization, you may be looking for the best way to achieve that goal.
No matter what your end goal may be, there are frameworks that can help you get started with automation by providing you with a template and other best practices for doing so. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common types of automation frameworks and explore how you can use them to achieve your goals.
What is an automation framework?
An automation framework is a structured approach or set of guidelines designed to help organizations automate repetitive, manual processes. Frameworks typically include tools, technologies, and methodologies that streamline workflows, reduce human error, and improve efficiency across business operations.
Types of automation frameworks
A general automation framework helps you build and use automations in your daily work. But it may not be the best choice for every purpose. For instance, if you’re looking to build specific types of automations, such as attended automations, you will probably want to use a framework specific to that target.
Here are some common types of purpose-built automation frameworks:
Attended automation framework
An attended automation framework is a template that helps developers create user-friendly attended automations. Attended automations are designed to run under human supervision and are best suited for smaller tasks. An attended automation framework provides a set of forms and trigger workflows to help developers build attended automations that are seamless and intuitive. The framework can also help developers implement best practices for attended automation, such as execution context, performance, and user experience.
Test automation framework
A test automation framework is a set of guidelines, tools, and best practices designed to help software testers automate software testing processes. Test automation frameworks provide a structured approach to creating, managing, and executing test scripts, making testing more efficient and consistent than with manual testing. A test automation framework enables testing teams to reduce the time and effort needed to run tests. It can also help to improve test accuracy and ensure better maintainability and reusability of test code.
Enterprise-wide automation framework
An enterprise-wide automation framework is a set of guidelines and best practices to systematically integrate automation across various business units and processes. An enterprise automation framework typically consists of the following aspects:
Governance and standards
Technology and tools
Process identification and prioritization
Change management
Continuous improvement
We will take an in-depth look at each of the aspects in the following sections.
Automation framework - Aspects of an enterprise automation framework
Whether you’re completely new to automation or are looking to scale your automation program throughout your organization, it’s important to understand the various components of an enterprise automation framework. They are as follows:
- Governance and standards
- Technology and tools
- Process identification and prioritization
- Change management
- Continuous improvement
Governance and standards
Governance and standards are the backbone of an enterprise automation framework. They ensure that automation initiatives are implemented consistently and securely across your organization.
This aspect involves creating a centralized governance model that defines the rules, policies, and compliance requirements for all automation activities. It also includes establishing standards for automation development, such as coding guidelines, security protocols, and data handling procedures.
Overall, clear governance helps to minimize risks, avoid duplication of efforts, and ensure that automation aligns with your enterprise’s overall strategic objectives.
Technology and tools
Choosing the right technology and tools is crucial for achieving an enterprise-wide automation program. This aspect of the framework focuses on identifying and implementing the most suitable automation tools that align with your organization’s goals and infrastructure.
The choice of technology may include robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) platforms, and business process management (BPA) software. You should also consider integration with legacy systems like enterprise resource planning (ERP) or customer relationship management (CRM) apps. The framework should also stress scalability and ease of use. The tools can help with both current and future automation needs in different departments.
Process identification and prioritization
Not all business processes are equally suitable for automation. So, a key aspect of the framework is the identification and prioritization of suitable processes. This involves analyzing and mapping out your organization’s workflows to identify repetitive, time-consuming, and error-prone tasks that would benefit most from automation.
Technologies such as process mining and task mining can help in the identification process. Prioritization is typically based on various factors like the potential cost savings, impact on customer experience, feasibility of automation, and expected ROI. By focusing on high-impact processes first, your organization can quickly realize the benefits of automation, creating momentum for further initiatives.
Change management
Change management is essential for ensuring that automation initiatives are successfully adopted across your enterprise. This part of the framework talks about how people and cultures change when they move to automated processes.
Change management involves keeping all stakeholders informed, providing training and support to employees, and addressing any concerns or resistance to change. Effective change management also involves creating champions for automation initiatives who can advocate for them to different internal stakeholders. You should also set up feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the adoption process. By managing change effectively, your enterprise can foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Continuous improvement
Automation is not a one-time project but rather an ongoing journey. The continuous improvement aspect of the framework ensures that automation initiatives evolve with your organization’s needs and market dynamics.
Continuous improvement involves setting up monitoring and feedback loops to measure the performance and effectiveness of automated processes. Data analytics and performance metrics are used to identify areas for optimization, uncover new opportunities for automation, and address any issues that arise.
Continuous improvement also includes scaling successful automation initiatives to other areas of your business and staying updated with the latest technological advancements. By embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, your organization can maximize the long-term benefits of automation.
Choosing an automation platform
A key aspect of any automation framework is choosing the automation tools and technologies that can meet your needs. The UiPath Platform™ is the ideal choice for everyone from individuals looking to automate their daily tasks to organizations looking to develop an enterprise-wide automation program. Bolstered by AI, the UiPath Platform is your go-to option for enterprise automation. Discover the power of the UiPath Platform today and see why organizations around the world are turning to UiPath.
