Streamlining Workflow Automation in 2024: Trends and Strategies 🛠️🚀📈
If time is today’s currency, then it follows that greater efficiency is what makes you richer. Fortunately, workflow automation offers a powerful solution. It eliminates manual drudgery and frees up valuable time for employees. However, the field of workflow automation is constantly evolving. Here, we explore six key trends and strategies - most of which include a low code solve - to streamline workflow automation in 2024.
First, what is low code?
Low-code development is a way to build software applications with minimal traditional coding. It uses a visual approach, with drag-and-drop functionality and pre-built components, to make app development more accessible to people with little or no coding experience. This is in contrast to traditional development, which relies heavily on writing code by hand.
Here are some of the key benefits of low-code development for business growth
Faster development: Low-code agencies can significantly speed up the development process, and allow businesses to get new applications up and running faster.
Solves most challenges: Low-code makes business apps, client-facing apps, integration and automation that much more accessible to businesses of all sizes.
More affordable: Low-code development can be more cost-effective than traditional development, as it requires less coding and can be done by a wider range of people.
Great! What is workflow automation?
Workflow automation removes manual drudgery and frees up employees to focus on more productive work. It is all about the use of software to streamline and automate repetitive tasks within the different tools you use. It essentially removes the need for manual work in established processes.
Here's a breakdown of the concept
Workflow: This refers to the sequence of steps involved in completing a particular task or activity. Much like a recipe to bake a cake, it highlights the steps needed to successfully complete a task.
Automation: This is the use of technology to perform tasks automatically which eliminates the need for human intervention.
So, workflow automation combines these two ideas. It automates the steps within your workflows to make them faster, smoother, and less prone to errors.
Here are some key benefits of workflow automation
Increased Efficiency: By automating repetitive tasks, you and your team have time to focus on more strategic work.
Reduced Errors: Manual tasks are error-prone, but automation minimises the risk of mistakes.
Improved Consistency: Automated workflows ensure that tasks are completed consistently every time.
Enhanced Productivity: With less time spent on mundane tasks, productivity naturally increases.
Workflow automation can be applied in various contexts, from marketing and sales to customer service and human resources.
Top Trends and Strategies to Streamline Workflows This Year
The field of workflow automation is constantly evolving.
Here, we explore six key trends and strategies to help you streamline workflow automation in 2024.
Democratisation with Low Code Development
Traditionally, workflow automation relied heavily on IT expertise. However, the rise of low code development agencies is changing the game. These agencies use low code platforms to build simple workflows to democratise automation and accelerate implementation.
Strategy: Identify repetitive tasks or processes that could be automated. Identify the right low code agency to build workflows for these tasks. This frees up IT for complex projects and fosters a culture of innovation within your organisation.
2. Rapid Prototyping and MVP Development
Before diving headfirst into complex automation projects, it's wise to validate your ideas. Rapid prototyping allows you to create a basic, functional model of your workflow automation solution. This model can then be used to gather user feedback and ensure your automation efforts are aligned with actual needs.
Strategy: Utilise a trusted low code agency near you for rapid prototyping of your workflow automation ideas. Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that focuses on the core functionalities. Gather feedback from users on the MVP and iterate based on their input. This iterative approach minimises risk and ensures you're building an automation solution that truly solves user problems.
3. Hyper Automation with AI and Advanced Technologies
While low code agencies use low code platforms, true hyperautomation takes things a step further. This approach combines low-code with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to create a robust automation ecosystem. AI can automate decision-making processes, while RPA can handle repetitive tasks that require interacting with multiple applications.
Strategy: Look for a low code agency that can integrate your low code with AI and RPA tools. This allows you to automate more than just simple tasks. For instance, you could automate data analysis using AI or implement AI-powered chatbots for customer service interactions.
4. Advanced Process Discovery and Mining
Identifying the most impactful areas to automate can be challenging. This is where process discovery and mining come in. These technologies analyse historical data to pinpoint bottlenecks and inefficiencies within your existing workflows.
Strategy: Utilise process discovery and mining tools to gain a deeper understanding of your workflows. This data-driven approach ensures your automation efforts target the most valuable processes to maximise efficiency gains and return on investment.
5. Integration with Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
Low-code agencies make it possible to integrate automation with business intelligence (BI) and data analytics tools. This allows for building workflows that not only automate tasks but also leverage data to make informed decisions.
Strategy: Ask your low code agency to integrate your automation with your existing BI or data analytics tools. This allows you to automate data analysis and reporting tasks. Ultimately, this leads to data-driven decision-making and a continuous improvement cycle for your workflows.
6. Integration with Traditional Software Development Tools
A growing trend is the integration of low code and no-code platforms with traditional software development tools. This bridges the gap between citizen developers and professional programmers.
Strategy: Explore agencies that integrate low-code platforms with existing development tools so they can leverage pre-built functionalities developed by professional programmers and IT teams to extend the capabilities of their automations.
For complex tasks that require custom coding, the integration allows developers to seamlessly step in and contribute their expertise.
This fosters collaboration and ensures a more comprehensive automation strategy.
Embrace Workflow Automation with riivo
By embracing these trends and implementing the corresponding strategies, businesses of all sizes can streamline workflow automation in 2024. This will not only boost efficiency and productivity but also unlock new possibilities for growth and innovation.
Choose Effortless, Effective Workflow Automation Today
Ask the experts at riivo - your trusted, experience low code agency - to unlock further automation, integration, and innovation for your business today!