The Sisyphean Climb Quantifying Robotic Process Automationwith Agile Methodologies

Abstract: This study explores the integral stages involved in the implementation of Robotic Process Automation within organizations, drawing parallels with established practices in software engineering,particularly the Agile methodology. Much like Sisyphus eternally pushing his boulder uphill, the continuous nature of business development requires ongoing effort and constant adaptation. However, unlike Sisyphus, businesses have the opportunity to strategically leverage tools like RoboticProcess Automation to make the climb more manageable. This study looks at a handful of organisations in the Uppsala region, using interviews, alongside a literature review on related topics such as Robotic Process Automation, Software engineering methodology’s, particularly Agile, as well as classically used evaluation strategies, such as Return of investment, Cost benefit analysis, and Multi-criteria analysis, to identify three instrumental stages, Identification, Prioritization, and Evaluation, in the development process of Robotic process automation.The report also highlights the significant influence of an organization’s maturity in the usage of Robotic Process Automation on the success of its automation projects. These findings underlines the need for comprehensive awareness and understanding of Robotic Process Automation acrossvarious organizational departments, similar to the principle of stakeholder engagement in Agiledevelopment.The prioritization of processes for automation is shown to be guided by factors such as the potential business impact, feasibility, and expected long-term benefits. This observation aligns withAgile’s emphasis on efficient resource allocation and alignment with broader business objectives.However, in the later stage of RPA development referred to in this report as the ”evaluation stage”,the study uncovered a low level of quantitative data collection following implementation, with agreater focus on qualitative benefits.These findings suggest potential areas for future research, including the development of structuredprioritization frameworks and methods for collecting qualitative data. The study concludes by suggesting that methodologies from software development, such as Agile, could be effectively appliedto improve the implementation of Robotic Process Automation.Faculty of Sci ence and Technol ogy, U ppsal a U niversity. Place of publication U ppsal a. Supervisor: Joanna N ordl und, Subject reader: Per M attson, Examiner: Johannes Borgströ