A governance model for managing Robotics Process Automation (RPA)

Abstract

Companies today are continually looking for new ways to digitize and automate their processes in order to maximize productivity and efficiency. Existing academic research has shown the efficiency and benefits of process automation using Robotics Process Automation (RPA). Through preliminary research, we observed that most of the companies have stagnated in a pilot or proof of concept of implementing RPA phase which implies that they are still learning how to manage RPA. The success of scaling up RPA lies in proper governance that may establish guidance, processes and mechanisms to manage and control the RPA activities in order to realize the expected benefits from technology. It is vital to assure that RPA robots are efficiently used, running as expected and following the security controls within the organization. There is a void in the academic literature which means that the current study does not provide a sufficient understanding of RPA governance, and there is no existing proper governance model for managing RPA. Therefore, the main goal of this master research is to develop a governance model for Robotics Process Automation using design science methodology from a management and operational perspective. The developed RPA governance model is based on the synthesis of the literature on RPA, IT and BPM governance and the findings from the case study analysis.