Human error is reduced when your team is small. However, in order to scale your business, some of those repetitive and manual operations must be automated in order to increase efficiency and eliminate the errors that occur with growth.

What are some strategic business process automation options? Which processes are the most important to automate first? Continue reading to learn how to automate important business procedures.

1. Identify Functional Areas Of Operations

It’s easy to get lost in an org chart and fantasize about all the cost reductions that come with artificial intelligence replacing roles, but that’s not how automation works. Human intervention is still required, and robots will not be able to take over jobs very soon.

Instead, the first step in automating business operations is to identify functional areas in your company that could benefit from increased efficiency. Sales teams, accounts payable, customer support, inventory management, and other parts of business operations may fall under this category.

2. Create SOPs

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) detail the actions required to carry out and complete a role’s obligations. A process must be clearly specified with steps and activities to be taken in order to perform any type of automation.

While SOPs appear to be a good idea, they always seem to be the last thing on a small business’s mind. That’s why it could make sense for executives to make SOPs a quarterly aim for the entire company, and to set out universal “SOP time” for all employees to define how they do their tasks.

3. Identify Repetitive Tasks

Once you’ve identified your company’s functional regions, you can begin to delve deeper into the repetitive duties that each department’s responsibility entails. Warning: This is the most enjoyable aspect of business process automation.

For the first time, a business owner or operations manager can put himself in the shoes of an employee and feel his or her agony when performing manual or repetitive duties. Additionally, corporate leaders can receive insight into regions where they are most vulnerable to threats or operational flaws.

4. Prioritize Areas To Automate

A business leader should have a broad list of tasks that can be improved as a result of the interview and SOP replication process. By prioritizing this list, progress on automating business operations can be made.

When prioritizing areas to automate, what aspects should be considered? Consider the impact of operational improvements on customers. Using a business automation technology can help you save time and money by automating repetitive operations, minimizing manual errors, and regulating variable expenses. Prioritize the items on the list using a scorecard that considers the impact on customers, staff, and the company.

5. Digital Transformation

To automate business operations, you don’t need to invest millions of dollars on custom-coded software powered by AI. There are a variety of workflow and business process automation (BPA) software available to assist businesses in designing and automating business processes.

Business process management software and low-code automation solutions are provided by companies such as Appian, Comidor, Outsystems, Signavio, and Process Maker. Request a demo to see how existing technology can help you achieve your goals.