Business process automation (BPA) is defined as the automation of complex business processes and functions beyond conventional data manipulation and record-keeping activities, usually through the use of advanced technologies. It focuses on “run the business” as opposed to “count the business” types of automation efforts and often deals with event-driven, mission-critical, core processes. BPA usually supports an enterprise’s knowledge workers in satisfying the needs of its many constituencies. [1]

BPA is often misinterpreted as the destination, but it is important to understand that it is the vehicle/means that gets you to your destination. It is essential to know that implementing an IT solution in an organization is just the beginning. Many other factors play a very important role in sustaining and improvising the solution to attain the final goal.

Business Process Automation can help an organization in the following 3 ways:

1. Efficiency: Doing things in a better way
2. Productivity: Doing more things in a better way
3. Optimization: Doing more new things differently [2]

In order to do so, we need to ask the right questions.

"What problems am I trying to solve?"

"What can I do to make 'X' better so that I can achieve 'Y' ?"

"What task causes my team to spend a lot of time?"

"Which task requires repetitive work?"

"What task takes up a major chunk of time of my team?"

1. Definition of BPA by Gartner (link)
2. Chris Saunderson, "Automation is not a why its a how focus on your why?" (link)