A workflow is a series of activities undertaken to complete a business task. For many companies, these processes are often repetitive and performed by employees daily. Because they are people driven, they are subject to issues like missed deadlines or human error.
Workflow automation is a solution that makes the flow of tasks, documents, and information across work-related processes perform according to a pre-determined and defined set of rules. Basically, you are shifting the steps involved in the process from humans to software-based programs.
Once implemented, workflow automation will improve your daily productivity, eliminate human error, and help your business to grow.
The Process of Automating Workflows
The first step to take when automating a workflow is to identify the tasks that make up the process. Once identified and defined, logical rules need to be created governing how those tasks are accomplished currently. Next, using software, a program is created that follows those steps using pre-determined and predefined business rules and logic.
The rules typically take the form of “if-then” statements that function as instructions telling the program what action to take and how to move step-by-step through the process being automated. The software uses logic and the rules you designate to perform the series of tasks of the process from start to finish, so humans no longer need to perform those tasks.
Who Needs Workflow Automation?
Almost every business has areas that could benefit from automating repetitive tasks. A 2021 survey determined that 94% of SMB workers said they perform repetitive, time-consuming tasks. The survey also found that 90% of knowledge workers said automation improved their jobs and 66% said automation has made them more productive.
In a typical business, every department can benefit from some form of workflow automation including finance, HR, marketing, operations, and sales. The best tasks to automate are repetitive tasks that don’t require significant decision-making.
Businesses seek workflow automation to:
- Improve efficiency
- Reduce or eliminate human error
- Boost productivity
- Speed up business processes
Automation allows you to free your team to focus on mission-critical tasks by reducing tedious, low-value tasks. Workflow automation enables you to streamline business processes and increase productivity and efficiency.
Want to learn more? Call us today and let us show you how workflow automation can help you improve productivity and help grow your business!
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