Descriptive summary statistics analysis on understanding the strategic need for RPA
This chapter presents the findings based on the data collected during the study period on how RPA helps the business-automated environment. This chapter analyses and interprets the data collected. The chapter discusses the results of the study. It is divided number of sections and sub-sections. The sections consist of the primary data analysis and secondary data analysis. Section 4.1 represents primary data analysis from the survey, while section 4.2 represents secondary data analysis. The analysis was done using google forms to provide the findings.
4.1. Descriptive summary statistics analysis on understanding the strategic need for RPA
Figure 4.1 Response summary as per the survey
From the 14 responses, the data analysis from their responses indicated that from the analysis, 35.5% of the workers admitted being aware of the RPA in their business process. This shows that sizable worker populations have an idea of the use RPA process in the business and hence signifies they either have been introduced to it or have knowledge of from elsewhere. This value of awareness is significant in the wake of untapped potential opportunities provided by this automation technology in the business environment. The adoption of RPA technology across different sectors of the business world is a realization of the enormous opportunities yet to be exploited. The percentage of the workers who understand the concept of RPA and those who have never heard of it was 28.6 %.These results indicate that the workers have had experience in the use of RPA, and that is why they have a clear understanding of the concept. Conversely, the number of workers who do not understand RPA signifies that the businesses they are in have not embraced the use of the RPA process in their business. The workers who have a deep understanding of the RPA was 7.1%. This figure reveals that the number of workers has been introduced to RPA, or the companies they are working on have adopted the RPA technology to perform routine and monotonous task that does not require any special skills or understanding but rather a general knowledge and can be left to automation solutions.
4.1.1. Descriptive statistics analysis on the company using RPA or has plans to use it in the future
Figure 4.1.1: Response summary as per the survey
From the pie chart, the data analysis on the company or businesses plans to use RPA in the future revealed that most workers 76.9% are not yet still sure if RPA is the way to go in the future. This means that the company management has not yet highlighted to the human workforce the need to adopt RPA. It can also mean that companies have no idea of the benefits of RPA. Once the benefits are made aware to the employees in the business, it will trigger the need to adopt these automation solutions to solve the ever-growing routine tasks among the employees, which are costly and are causing inefficiency due to human error. The percentage of students supporting the concept of RPA, currently using it and planning to use it, was at 7.7%. This signifies the already established perception of RPA as a game-changer in the automated business environment. It shows that there are good indicators to embrace RPA in the business environment. The idea of automating solutions in today’s business environment sounds to them as a brilliant idea, which even does not need a second thought by the business managers because of the potential robust opportunities, which will create in the business. Exploiting such opportunities by the business will be an added advantage to the business enterprise. When RPA is rolled out in, the enterprises it will attract good reception due to the potential benefits it will bring.
4.1.2. Descriptive statistics analysis on areas to use RPA in the business
Figure 4.1.2 Response summary as per the survey
The statistical analysis on the areas that need RPA process application on business indicated that RPA is suitable to be used in the areas mostly on the customer experience, finance, and human resource. This means that these areas of business have repetitive and monotonous tasks that, over time, has led to high costs and inefficiency in the company. Customer experience with 38.5% was the highest figure in which the respondents agreed that it required the RPA process to automate while finance and human resource tasks were at 30.8%. Other areas that were specified to require the RPA were the manufacturing and construction sector, with 23.3%. The Health field and other industries revealed that they are yet to learn of the RPA to automate their work as they registered 7.7%. Further, other sectors have not yet performed. There are also those not aware of the use of RPA on the business processes. In essence, nearly all sectors with characteristics of the existence of the repetitive tasks use RPA technology as it used to accomplish these repetitive and monotonous tasks to achieve accuracy and costs saving.
4.1.3. Descriptive statistics analysis on RPA process performance frequency in the company
Figure 4.1.3: Response summary as per the survey
The statistics results showed that 23.1% of the respondents agreed that they are not aware of the RPA frequency performance in the business. This indicates they may not be mindful that RPA is used in the business organizations because the management has not revealed to them of the adoption, or they are not keen on the usage of RPA usage since they do not affect them; hence it is none of their business.7.7 % agreed that the RPA process is performed daily, weekly, and multiple times a day. The results show that automation technology is part of their daily business process, which means in simple terms that RPA technology has been fully adopted in the organization to accomplished various routine tasks. This signifies that they are aware of RPA and are the business is using it. That is why they reveal the frequent use of the RPA process. Another 7.7 % agreed that they are not aware, not sure yet, do not know of RPA, and not yet performed RPA. In other words, this indicates that if the workers do not have knowledge of RPA, then they cannot be able to tell of RPA performance frequency in the organizations.15.4% revealed that the RPA process is performed monthly, which implies that RPA is applied once a month, depending on the task to be accomplished during that month. In other words, there may be tasks that require automation once every one month, and hence it is not part of their daily routine to use automation technology.
4.1.4. Descriptive statistics analysis on whether the human judgment is required to perform the RPA process
Figure 4.1.4: Response summary as per the survey
The summary statistics indicated that most of some steps require the human judgment to performed the RPA process.50 % concur that some steps of software robots’ top perform tasks require human effort. It signifies the personnel to perform the RPA process, especially in the IT department. This also means that the implementation process of RPA requires human effort to identify the processes that are suitable for the RPA process only since not all the tasks require RPA. A sizable percentage of 42.9% maintained that human judgment is not at all required to perform the RPA process. What this means is that software robots performed the tasks alone once implemented without requiring human judgment. Software robots totally replace the work previously performed by humans. When tasks are automated, they are robots who performed all the works. Further human judgment is not required in all the steps. Still, some Respondents indicated that they are not aware of the RPA and hence are not able to tell if the automation technology requires human judgment to accomplish its tasks.
4.1.5. Descriptive statistics analysis on whether RPA is a reliable approach
Figure 4.1.5: Response summary as per the survey
Summary statistics on RPA reliability revealed that most people agreed that the RPA approach is a reliable method to automate tasks.63% are of the view that RPA, when performed on a business process, produces reliable results. What this means is that when a company adopts RPA, it will be able to automate monotonous and repetitive tasks that are normally performed by humans and is able to release human to perform other complex duties that require human judgment and are detailed. Automation reduces human errors, which are likely to come about when the tasks are tiresome and repetitive. Another supporting factor to these facts is that there are tasks are perform the same hence standard results reducing the chance of any possible errors which had previously occurred due to human performing them.14.3 percent of respondents indicated that the RPA approach in business is not reliable. This could mean that when RPA is performed, there is a likelihood that the process will not be secure as some essential information may be filtered out in the process, risking the wellbeing of the company. In other words, This could point to software robots being manipulated to achieve certain results. Still, there is no empirical evidence advanced so far to support this argument.7.1% agreed that the approach is has nothing secured, not definitive, and do not know if the approach is reliable because they probably lack knowledge of it.
4.1.6. Descriptive statistics on whether RPA requires special skills to handle
Figure 4.1.6: Response summary as per the survey
The descriptive summary statistics on RPA requiring specialized skills to handle it indicated that RPA indeed requires special skills to handle.78.6 % agreed that RPA is not a simple process to perform; rather, it requires special training from the vendors to implement. This means that the implementation of RPA in the business requires the special skills to handle the process by the RPA vendors on the business. The vendors arrange with the business the training process to acquire skills for software robot installation and usage. All the information about RPA is availed to the IT team of the company to make it easier for implementation.7.1percentage of the respondents claimed that they do not know and disagree with those they RPA process requires special skills to handle. This means that they do not have knowledge of RPA in the business. Another 7.1% indicated that RPA requires special skills to manage and precisely IT skills. They believed that RPA and IT are closely related, and with IT skills, it is easier to handle RPA comfortably in the aut5omation of business tasks. IT personnel should be involved in all the processes of implementation and management.
4.1.7. Descriptive statistics on annual rate turnover of staff performing the process
Figure 4.1.7: Response summary as per the survey
The annual rate turnover of staff performing the process analysis showed that 35.7% agreed that the annual rate turnover is less than 10%. This means that the number of staff leaving the organization after performing the process is a small percentage; thus, the RPA is a good practice in business processes. It implies that the automation of tasks is receptive among the workers as it frees them up to perform other complex tasks that require in-depth knowledge and understanding and require their skills. They do not see this as an avenue to replace them from their work but rather a complementary factor in the overall efficiency, productivity, and success of the business. 28.6% believe that the staff turnover is between 20% to 30% which is still a small figure that can make people leave the business organizations because their work is replaced by software robots.7.1% of the workers believe that the turnover of the staff performing the process is between 30% to 50%.this almost an insignificant value which provides a green light to the RPA use in business. Additionally, 7.1% of the workers still are not sure about the annual staff turnover rate. This is occasioned by the lack of insight about the RPA use in the business. In general, sense, according to the results, the adoption of robotic process automation technologies is receptive among the employees rather than fear than they will replace their work and render them jobless.
4.1.8. Descriptive statistics analysis on the characteristics of RPA
Figure 4.1.8: Response summary as per the survey
The analysis of the characteristics of RPA indicated most people in the workplace aware of RPA use maintained that RPA is user-friendly. 64.3% revealed that software robots for automation of works are user friendly, meaning that the robots can be used to complement human work and not necessarily to replace human tasks. After installation, RPA performs the work intended to perform and produce the desired results.21.4 % agreed that RPA does not require coding and not disruptive. This, again, is a good indicator that RPA is manageable and can be used in automation works without any difficulty with no special skills required but the simple procedure to perform tasks. In other words, it is a boost for the organization.57 %, and 50%, respectively, is another view that RPA use provides results that are more efficient in less time and easy to use. This fact again underscores the efficiency and productivity gains to be achieved after the automation of tasks in the business.7.1 % maintained that they are not aware of RPA use in the business cannot provide its characteristics. This is because of the lack of knowledge of robotic process automation existence and usage.
4.1.9. Descriptive statistics on the need to use RPA by Companies
Figure 4.1.9: Response summary as per the survey
This was the most significant part of the summary analysis of the data where the adoption of the RPA by the business exhibited positive indicators. The statistics reported the need to use RPA by the business enterprises reduces the costs as represented by 78.6%. Automation of business tasks using software robots is a game-changer in today business as the costs are reduced in terms of automating repetitive and monotonous tasks leads to free up time to perform valuable works that require skills while at the same time lead to the reducing the errors from these jobs and reducing the time to perform these tasks. At the end of the day, the company is able to reduce cost and remain ahead of the game in a competitive business world.42.9 % agreed that use of RPA by companies reduces routine work and increase the efficiency. Automation of works targets routine repetitive and monotonous works, which have been a headache for the companies for quite some time now. Automating these tasks is the way to solve the problem of routine work by using RPA technology to take up these tasks in large volumes and completing these works within a very short period allowing for quicker output and necessary decision making for improvements because of faster availability of output results. Automation reduces human error and time required to produce results from these tasks hence leading to efficiency in the company. This is due to the fact all tasks are carried out in a standard and manner, leading to uniform and accurate results. When a standard manner is applied to the tasks, it leads to the accuracy required. 35.7 percent maintained that the use of RPA leads to profitability in the companies. This is because when automation is done on repetitive jobs, the company can concentrate or put more effort into areas that are profitable and require specialized skills. When employees are free up to perform works that require in-depth knowledge and understanding and are value-adding, routine work is left to software robots, which only need general knowledge. Increase profitability is because of concentrating on high-value addition activities. The same percentage also holds the view that it ensures no conflicts and fast operations due to automation, which comes with speed and handling of specific tasks as designed to perform.14.3 percent believed that the use of RPA increases interoperability. What this means is that it increases interoperations between the departments in the business, as the software robots can be linked together. It signifies the integrating of tasks as required in different departments.7.1 percent, however, I believe that the use of RPA in business enterprises will lead to increase costs. This may be occasioned by sourcing, implementations, and maintenance cost of the software robots and further training of the IT personnel, which are the center of the implementation of automation technologies. Another 7.1 percent of the people claimed that they do not know of the need for the use of the RPA in the companies since they lack the insight of the meaning of RPA or rather RPA is a new subject.
4.2. Secondary data analysis (familiarity with RPA)
Figure 4.2 Response summary as per the Deloitte survey
From the data analysis, it apparent businesses hearing about RPA is gaining momentum. Although there was a reduction in percentage to 33 % in 2017 from 42 % in 2016, it shows that most organizations have embarked upon their RPA journey. Deloitte is projecting that in the next two years, there is an expected increase of 72 %. Interestingly in 2016, the companies admitted that they were not already scaling it at least 50 software robots but in 2017 3% of the companies claimed that they were scaling it at least 50 software robots .this is a positive trend in the digital workforce which is envisaged to go up in the next coming years. In 2017 30% of the companies admitted that they have investigated the opportunity to build a proof of value for RPA implementation to between 1 and 5 robots .this was an upward trend in the implementation of RPA in companies compared to 2016, which stood at 23 %. There is a general growing need by the business enterprises to tackle the ever problem of tedious voluminous tasks in the organization that has led to the increasing costs and inefficiency. The urge to obtain the solutions to these problems has to lead them to seek help through benchmarking on the practices that their competitors adopt in their daily business processes. This has occasioned the growing awareness about RPA technology to tackle these issues. Additionally, the companies have continued to embrace RPA as from the statistics; it reveals that the companies either are piloting their operation using the robots or are already implementing them in their operation. Piloting has helped them with prior information to learn on the requirements for successful implementation and the likely challenges which are expected to come up to prepare for them adequately. Failure to carry out piloting may result in a total disruption in the organization processes due to the breaking of the processes. The percentage of companies not familiar with RPA continues to shrink, as there was an increase in awareness of RPA by 1 percent from 2016. This aspect signifies that most business enterprises have agreed to adopt the RPA technology and have set the precedence for others to follow in an already competitive business environment. This is a positive trend going forward in the digital workforce with the help of automation technologies.
4.2.1. Descriptive statistics on the top strategic priority of the companies today
Figure 4.2.1: Response summary as per the Deloitte survey
From the data analysis, the companies are increasing the level of automation as a top strategic priority. The percentage of the increasing level of automation in the companies dropped by 3 % in 2017. Although automation level dropped still, the companies agree that it among their top priorities. As business enterprises expand, their processes also increase; these include massive data and tasks. Automation technology of these remains a crucial priority of the businesses, as they should be a way to solve and deal with these growing repetitive and massive data for processing. Therefore putting RPA to be among its key strategic priorities is a positive move by the company. The company’s top priority to develop analytics capabilities increased tremendously by 11 percent from 2016 shows that the companies might need automation in these top areas, as most of the tasks in analytics are repetitive and monotonous; hence automation will come to their rescue. Automation will brings accuracy due to reducing errors, increases efficiency in terms of speed, and increase the volume of tasks to be handled within a short time. Fundamentally, the top strategic priorities of the companies are the focus on continuous improvement, increase the level of automation, and develop analytics capabilities. RPA is critical in all of these priorities, and this underscores the company’s need for a digital workforce to scale up its operations. There is also an increasing percentage of the scaling up of different functions in the organization due to the RPA implementation in terms of improved governance, increased level of the integration process, increased service scope and increased number of the geographies scope. This is an apparent revolution in the business enterprise to accomplish its tasks due to the energy brought by the automation technology.
4.2.2. Descriptive data summary analysis on the impact of RPA on workforce
Figure 4.2.2: Response summary as per the Deloitte survey
From the analysis summary, it appears that RPA has received good reception among the workforce. In 2017, there was an increase of 4% from 2016 on the employee good reports on higher job satisfaction after the introduction of RPA. This means that employees can identify the advantages of using RPA in the company. It brings efficiency and increases their productivity as it frees them up their time to concentrate on other duties. The routine and repetitive jobs can now be left to be accomplished by software robots, as these jobs are general knowledge jobs and do not require any special skills to perform. Employees can now concentrate on value-adding activities that require special skills and in-depth understanding, thus increasing job satisfaction in the company. Besides, it is clear that the companies who have adopted automation have engaged their employees in the design and implementation of RPA, and again interestingly, employees have wanted to be the pioneers in RPA implementation. They want to own the automation technology and make it part of their work strategy to achieve their set goals in the business enterprise. These are good initial indicators as a way to go by the companies in their journey to the digital workforce. The level of resistance among the employees regarding RPA remains insignificant as the majority embrace the automation of tasks in the company. Again, this is as a result of the idea that employees want to be relieved from the tedious routine jobs to perform activities that are specialized in . Besides, when the employees are made aware of the presence of the automation technology, the need, and the expected benefits, they will be receptive to it and even the idea that they will complement their work.
4.2.3. Descriptive summary statistics on cognitive automation
Figure 4.2.3 Response summary as per the Deloitte survey
From the analysis, a good percentage of the companies are implementing RPA already. Already a more advanced automation technology than RPA is gaining momentum. To implement this technology, a company has to have used RPA in its business process. Cognitive automation goes beyond the accomplishment of the routine tasks as it has the ability to improve the process through dynamic processing and executing the subtle decision as if the best human expert made them. 28% of the companies have implemented or scaling the Cognitive automation process as compared to those who are piloting and not yet implemented RPA, which stood at 7 % and 4%, respectively. This means that the business enterprises want not just to automate the routine tasks but also to utilize the cognitive automation process technology to execute subtle decisions as if humans did them. This is an additional feature to an already existing robotic process automation software. This also means that the companies have already implemented automation due to its advantages in the digital business environment to bring efficiency, increase profitability, and reduce the cost. Though some companies admit that it was too expensive and time-consuming to implement now, and the existing functionality is not what they need. These results show that these companies have to need not obtain empirical evidence on the benefits of implementing the RPA in the business with cognitive automation. When the information will, at last, be available to them, they will recognize the need to adopt these technologies in the business. This means, at some point, there will need this automation in their business processes. In other words, RPA is their future plan as some works need automation, and if the lack behind in implementing these good practices in a competitive environment, they risk being phased out. A small percentage of companies still are not familiar with automation in business. This is because the companies still employ the traditional methods of performing business processes and want to maintain the status quo and lack the opportunity to explore better methods of accomplishing routine tasks. It signifies a mere fact that automation technology is still yet to gain the roots in the business world.
4.2.4. Descriptive summary statics on whether RPA implementation met expectations.
Figure 4.2.4: Response summary as per the Deloitte survey
The results of the analysis of the data indicated that RPA in terms of improved compliance meets the expectation. This is because the employees at all levels were engaged in the process; hence, everyone was brought on board. When everyone is brought on board in the business enterprise, everybody will feel part of the process and own that process for the general good of the business enterprise. This involves the design and implementation of the software robot, which, when all the steps to adopt it will attract good reception, and everyone will participate in the process this compliance of the process. The expectation was exceeding terms of improved accuracy and quality; the expectation was met and exceeded. This is due to fact training on the use of software robots was adequately carried out, which made implementation easy to go by as the IT and other experts who design and install the software received the necessary expertise from the vendor of the software robots. Comprehensive training with IT experts makes it easy to achieve the desired results of accuracy and quality. About timeliness and the ability to work 24/7, improved productivity, and flexibility to scale up or down capacity, and cost reduction, the expectation was met, and other instances exceeded. In terms of productivity, this was a result of the software robots with the capability to handle a multitude of tasks within a short time and with accuracy. This is unlike when the tasks are performed by a human, which takes quite a lot of time and with a lot of errors incurred due to the fact that tedious works result in fatigue in humans. In terms of scaling up or down the capacity is as a result of the available tasks in the business enterprises that need to be accomplished, .when tasks are many, the capacity will be scaled up, and when the tasks are less, the capacity will be scaled down. In terms of cost reduction, this is due to the fact that the resources that could have otherwise be spent by the business to hire more staff to perform these routine tasks are used to install software robots which again free up time for the workers to perform higher value-adding activities in the enterprise. With respect to the cost and time to implement and providing better management information, the expectation was met, and in some instances, it was exceeded. This signifies the good preparedness of the company to assemble the necessary personnel skills and knowledge in the organization together with the well-established plan to implement and manage the software robots. All these are due to efforts put by the companies to ensure everybody is involved and aware of the automation process to achieve the desired results.