Home Consultancy CIMM Maturity Model Level 3 – Stable and predictable processes Process Automation

What is Process Automation?

Process Automation focuses on automating repetitive, manual, and rule-based tasks within processes. The goal is to make processes faster, more consistent, and more reliable, with fewer errors and less unnecessary manual intervention.

Process Automation can range from simple workflow automation to integrations between systems. Business Process Automation (BPA) focuses on automating complete workflows, while Robotic Process Automation (RPA) takes over digital actions normally performed by employees.

By automating suitable process steps, employees gain more scope to focus on higher value-added tasks, such as customer contact, analysis, improvement, and decision-making.

 

What are the components of Process Automation?

Process Automation only works effectively when processes are first thoroughly understood. By selectively automating suitable tasks, workflows, and systems, organisations can increase efficiency without digitally replicating existing problems.

cimm process automation bpa

Business Process Automation (BPA)

BPA automates and streamlines an entire business process or a substantial part of it. This approach connects workflows, business rules, forms, databases, API links, and reports across the entire process chain. BPA eliminates unnecessary steps, standardises decisions, and only involves employees in the event of deviations. This makes the process faster, more reliable, and sustainably better manageable.

 

cimm process automation bpa

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

RPA automates repetitive, rule-based actions that employees normally perform via the screen. A software robot can log in, copy data, fill in applications, download files, and send emails. RPA works particularly well with stable processes that have clear rules and predictable exceptions. This reduces manual work and minimises errors and lead times.

 

cimm process automation bpa

Agentic automation

Agentic automation uses AI agents that autonomously plan and execute tasks within defined frameworks. The agent interprets commands, gathers information, assesses situations, and selects appropriate tools and next steps. This allows processes with variation and unstructured information to be automated. For sensitive, deviating, or risky decisions, human approval remains possible through human-in-the-loop controls.

 

Implementing Process Automation

Process Automation only provides value when automation aligns with the actual process. A good approach therefore begins with process analysis: which steps add value, where do errors occur, and which activities can be eliminated or automated?

BPA streamlines entire process chains, RPA performs repetitive actions, and Agentic Automation uses AI agents for tasks with more variation and interpretation. Employees remain involved in exceptions and risky decisions.

Symbol supports organisations in identifying opportunities, redesigning processes, and implementing workflows, system integrations, software robots, and AI agents. This creates reliable, scalable solutions that demonstrably make processes more stable, efficient, and predictable in practice, which is the objective of CIMM Level 3.

View other elements in Level 3

Do you want to explore the possibilities of Process Automation?

Symbol helps organisations identify automation opportunities and design processes more intelligently, so that tasks run faster, more consistently, and with fewer errors.

Schedule a meeting with a Digital Lean expert
Chat met Symbi