In today's business, automation plays an important role in increasing efficiency, improving productivity and reducing operational costs.
But where do you start in order to successfully implement it in your enterprise?
In this article, we will look at a roadmap to start automation on the right note.
What is automation
Automation is the introduction of technologies and systems that are capable of performing tasks without direct human involvement. This range of technologies includes everything from simple scripts and bots to complex intelligent systems. The main goal of automation is to increase the speed of work, improve efficiency, and reduce the likelihood of errors.
Difference between automation and optimization
Many people think that automation and optimization are the same thing, but they are not.
Optimization is the process of improving the current workflow to make it more efficient. In optimization, each step in the process is analyzed, redundant steps are identified and eliminated. The focus of optimization is on increasing productivity and eliminating waste.
The goal of optimization is to improve efficiency, save resources (time, money, materials) and increase productivity. Optimization seeks to make the best use of available resources.
Let's look at an example:
Company X analyzed its operations and found that the time spent processing customer orders was too long due to redundant approval steps. And came to the conclusion to completely restructure the order processing process to reduce costs and improve the customer experience.
And the main goal of automation is to make processes more efficient and less dependent on human intervention. Which can help increase the speed of task completion and reduce the risk of errors.
Let's look at an example of the same example, but with automation in mind:
Company "X", after analyzing the process of customer processing, decided to reduce the time costs of purchase approval and decides to implement specialized software for order management.
Now, when a customer submits an order through the company's website, this system automatically:
- Logs the order and creates an electronic notification to the appropriate department.
- Checks availability of items in stock.
Processes purchase order if items are out of stock. - Sends notification to the customer of the order status and estimated delivery date.
Which enables Company X to significantly reduce the time previously spent on manual order management, as well as reduce errors and improve order processing accuracy. On top of all this, it can also easily monitor and analyze order data, which helps in making strategic decisions and improving customer service.
Where to start?
Every entrepreneur, faced with the task of developing an IT product, asks the question: "Where to start?".
At this stage, many opportunities open up before him, and the right choice can significantly affect the success of his business. Remember that we have already talked about the importance of defining the goal.
It becomes the starting point for determining the next steps.
If you already have a clear goal and have analyzed your business, the next question to ask yourself is, "What do I want to get out of this?".
At this stage, we can distinguish two main directions: automating existing processes or creating an MVP (minimum viable product) to test new ideas or hypotheses.
About automation
Automation is basically the improvement of an existing process. It is preferred if you have specific operations that can be sped up. For example, if your employees spend a lot of time on routine tasks that can be automated, such as CRM management, automatic report generation, vendor interactions, or electronic document management. All of these fall under the umbrella of automation.
But is it worth it?
Imagine that your business is like a complex machine made up of many parts. Each part performs a different function. Automation, in turn, is the refinement of those parts. If we replace all the parts at once, the machine may simply stop.
About MVP
On the other hand, an MVP or minimum viable product is a way to test new ideas in the market. If you have a new direction or hypothesis and you want to test it without a large financial investment, creating an MVP is your choice.
To determine which path to choose, go back to your original goal we talked about earlier. If your goal is to optimize and increase efficiency, choose automation. If, on the other hand, you want to test new ideas and gauge market response, start by creating an MVP.
What is an MVP?
An MVP (minimum viable product) is not just a design or prototype, but a version of a new product that allows the team to get the maximum amount of feedback from users at the lowest cost in the shortest amount of time.
Let's look at this with an example:
Suppose you are planning to develop a mobile application for online food ordering. Instead of starting to develop a full-fledged app with all possible features right away, start by creating an MVP. This MVP will only include basic features such as selecting a dish, adding to cart, and payment. It will not include additional features such as reviews, restaurant ratings, or detailed order tracking.
So, with an MVP, you can test how much your app really needs people, whether they're willing to use it to order food, and which features matter most to them.
Once you get feedback and see the demand for your idea, you can further develop the product by adding new features and improving existing ones.
Automation process
Because each case is unique, the approach to automation must be individualized for each case.
1. defining objectives and analyzing current processes
The most important step is to identify the processes that are most labor intensive and need improvement.
Analyze: where exactly do you spend the most time and resources? These areas will become your priorities for automation.
2. Search for solutions
Research the market and look for the right tools and solutions to automate tasks. Consider integrating off-the-shelf solutions or developing your own software if necessary.
3. Implementation
Select priority areas for automation and start implementing the selected solutions. Ensure your team is trained and educated on the new tools.
4. Monitoring and adjustment
Install a monitoring system to track the effectiveness of automated processes. Analyze data regularly and make adjustments to improve performance and results.
MVP creation process
Creating an MVP is a way to understand the needs of the market without creating a full-blown product.
1. defining objectives and key functions
Start by defining the core value of your future product.
What exactly do you want to offer consumers?
What are the key features that should be included?
What value do you provide with your product?
2. Prototyping
Develop a simplified version of the product, focusing on key features
For example, when creating an online food ordering service, remove all unnecessary things and focus on the essence of the idea. This will avoid unnecessary costs.
3. testing
Test the prototype with real users or the target audience. Collect feedback and data on how users interact with the product.
4. MVP improvement
Based on feedback and data from testing, make necessary improvements and adjustments to the MVP.
5. Scaling
If the MVP has been successfully tested and has attracted the interest of the target audience, consider scaling the product by adding new features and extending its functionality to meet the needs of the market.
Conclusion
Automation is an investment in the future of your business.
By following an action plan, you can successfully start automation and improve your company's efficiency. As our example shows, properly planned and implemented automation, or MVP product, can significantly improve business performance and increase its competitiveness.
If you want to automate your business or you want to develop your own MVP product, you can leave a request in the form below.
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