Workflow automation – Focused teams, guided tasks
| October 8, 2019
Workflow automation offers businesses the chance to strengthen other areas of their company and increase productivity. Learn how to make your business more efficient with automation.
What is workflow automation?
Workflow automation is a constructed design of automatic stages for a company’s daily processes. Workflow automation offers team members chances to focus on their work and be automatically given their next tasks, timelines and instructions. It is generally accomplished through use of workflow automation software.
A vending machine is a good example of workflow automation in action. It requires a human to fill and order the food inside (workflow management) but the process of delivering goods and making a sale is completely automated. By keeping a large portion of the process automated, company team members (in this case the person filling vending machines) have a specific task to complete each day.
Why automate workflows?
Automated workflows improve team communication as members communicate without giving orders or reminders. Without automated workflows, team members spend time reminding each other when to do things and in what order to do them. This type of communication is shallow and doesn’t increase productivity.
Automating workflows consistently provides companies with better results. This is because of the automated workflow structure and also because teams have more chances to do their work. Instead of focusing on how a project is going to be completed, teams can start right in on the work they’ve been assigned thanks to automated workflows. This saves time and produces great results.
How to automate workflow
Automation always starts with evaluation, therefore workflow automation begins with evaluating current workflow management within your company. How are things done, who does them and how long do they take? These are some of the questions you need to ask before you can begin mapping out a plan for automation. Answer these questions and then determine how automation could improve on those answers.
Another big part of the equation is getting team members involved with the process of implementing automated workflows. So long as each department understands their roles and how stages and tasks will be presented for them, the process will become much easier to operate.
Software that compliments workflow automation
Now that you have a workflow automation software in place, it’s a good idea to find software that compliments it. This is why digital asset management (DAM) has become commonplace in company’s martech stacks. DAM automates organization of digital files, extending the automation of the workflow further than the structuring of tasks. Consider a DAM to bolster your overall productivity.
The efficiency in communication, tasks and projects automated workflows is undeniably important so ensure your company implements the correct methods to automate processes.