The Different Ways to Learn RPARoles and Knowledge Avenues
As we move deeper into 2020, Robotic Process Automation continues to be one of the most impactful technologies in business today. For organizations training their workforce to stay on the technological forefront, we’ll show you the different areas and ways to learn RPA, and how to form your Center of Excellence through thought-leadership.
How-to Learn RPA Effectively
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is one of the most sought-after technologies in business today. In 2019, Gartner named Robotic Process Automation as the fastest growing market-segment in the entire software space.
Major software automation providers like UiPath and Automation Anywhere are experiencing significant growth in 2020 as organizations move from the “sandbox” phase to a strategic execution phase. Further, with hyperautomation broadening the field of what processes can be automated and how, businesses are seeking after RPA for full-scale, end-to-end process improvements.
With the impact RPA is making on business processes in multiple industries, it’s no wonder that organizations are gaining ground to not only learn RPA fully, but to train their workforce in every avenue possible. However, undergoing a business transformation is no straight forward path, and there are multiple variables to consider. RPA is certainly no exception.
RPA Learning Avenues
Today, there are various avenues to learn RPA to it’s fullest. Each has pros and cons that need to be considered, especially depending on the personnel undergoing the training. Here are some details on the different avenues of learning RPA and training your workforce.
Online Training
Various free and paid online training platforms are available at the disposal of the trainee. UiPath Academy for example has a wide range of courses and learning plans geared to multiple audiences, both paid and free.
These courses offer pathways to RPA certification obtainment, both for beginner, intermediate and advanced level audiences. Udemy is another online training platform that has a variety of benefits. Anyone with aptitude to share thought-leadership experience in the realm of RPA can register to provide free or paid practical training courses, available online globally. Though there are various popular benefits of online RPA training, there are multiple cons to consider in comparison to a more personal training experience:
Pros
Most courses are free of charge
Can be taken anywhere, anytime
Wide range of knowledge share available
Quick pathway to getting certified
Cons
Lacks the “personal experience” aspect of training
Might not be as hands-on, or practical
Might lack additional resources upon conclusion
Hinders the audience that learns better through personal stimulus
In-Person Training
There are a significant number of people that learn more effectively by personal stimulus. This includes hands-on activities, one-on-one engagement and practical knowledge share through real use case scenarios.
For RPA training, this is certainly no exception. Though Robotic Process Automation is a digital framework of technology, in-person engagement with developers, executives and analysts goes quite a long way, especially when an individual is trying to apply automation to a real organizational need.
The structure and cadence of in-person training programs can also serve to relieve the self-paced pressure online avenues may entice. Here are some general pros and cons of in-person RPA training:
Pros
More hands-on activities and examples
More opportunity for questions and guidance
Might receive same-day certification
Likely more applicable to organizational use-cases
Cons
Often not free of charge
Not as self-paced as online learning
Often geared towards a specific skill set/job
Might require travel and lodging expenses
Bridging the Business and Development Gap
Forming a Center of Excellence (CoE) is a fundamental component to learn RPA, and what processes within a business can be automated. Regardless of its task, a bot’s essential job is to make the company vision come true.
To realize this vision, businesses should establish an internal, self-sustaining and scalable RPA expertise to build, run and maintain bots up kept by developers. Businesses must treat RPA as an enterprise capability, and resist temptation to make quick wins by implementing automation silos that only bring short-term benefits. Developing an RPA CoE is an important step in establishing a foundation for automation in your business.
The Business Analyst
Business Analysts play a fundamental role in this area. They act as a bridge between the organization’s automation desires and the developers that build the bots.
In general, many RPA projects fall to the wayside due to poor requirement gathering, process documentation and communication between the business and technical team. Some critical areas of skill/knowledge building that a Business Analyst must focus on are the following:
Complete understanding of RPA technology from a high-level perspective
Implementation methodologies, and what role they will play in the process
Proper documentation techniques and accuracy
Map as-is and to-be business processes through clarifying inputs and outputs
Learning what processes/functionalities within a business can be automated, and which areas are sustaining (finance, accounting, HR, supply chain, etc.)
The Executive Team
Business Executives are not only the RPA champions within a CoE, but also individuals that spear-head the discovery of potential automation candidates (along with Business Analysts).
Executives are responsible for introducing the fundamental components of RPA to their workforce, and gauging the costs and benefits associated with an RPA implementation. Some critical areas of skill/knowledge building that Executives must focus on are the following:
Differentiating RPA from other forms of automation
Learning existing business processes in-depth BEFORE the implementation phase
Understanding the application areas of RPA, and how it will effect the human workforce
Introducing and maintaining the RPA Center of Excellence within their organization
Developers – RPA Implementation Champions
RPA Citizen Developers and Advanced Developers are the cornerstone of any RPA implementation. Just as the Business Analyst bridges the gap between business and development language, developers bridge the gap between the technical and non-technical skill sets within an RPA CoE.
With new tool kits available in UiPath like cloud services and code abstract platforms, RPA Developers have various tools at their disposal to work with. Through these tools, frequent training and advancement milestones must be achieved/maintained in order for developers to manage more complex bots. Some critical areas of skill/knowledge building that Developers must focus on are the following:
Building complex bots through industry best practices
Deploy, maintain and manage bots through tools like UiPath Orchestrator
Manage and maintain automations and security and licensing
Developing RPA client architecture and solution proposals focusing on scalability and extensibility
The Time is NOW
In the realm of RPA, finding a well-rounded training partner can be challenging. When it comes to training organizational team members to learn RPA to its fullest, having a resource with practical/real-world implementation experience is the most efficient option.
At Smartbridge, we’ve launched our RPA training program to help organizations prepare themselves to onboard the digital workforce through RPA technology.
Our comprehensive UiPath certification training courses are geared to provide developers, analysts, infrastructure staff and executives with the breadth of skills necessary to successfully deploy RPA into their business processes.
Remote RPA Training Available – COVID-19 Action Plan
Due to the unfortunate impact of COVID-19, we’re launching remote RPA training class opportunities for courses scheduled through May 2020.
To get more information on our remote course opportunities, fill out our registration form, or reach our training team directly at training@smartbridge.com.
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Keep Reading: Key Takeaways from the UiPath RPA Market Update
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