Skip to content

ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Machine learning, AI and robotics

Karrow Bank's finance director proposes automating a manual month-end reporting process by first deploying RPA across it exactly as it runs today. A consultant advises that the process contains many redundant approval steps and inconsistent workarounds. What is the most appropriate advice?

The process should be simplified or re-engineered before automation. Automating a flawed process with redundant steps and workarounds only makes the inefficiency run faster and embeds it in bots, so the benefits of RPA are reduced unless the design is reviewed first.

  1. ARe-engineer or simplify the process before automating it, otherwise inefficiency is merely done fasterCorrect
  2. BAutomate immediately because bots remove the need to review process design
  3. CDelay automation until the bots can use artificial general intelligence
  4. DAutomate only the approval steps and leave the rest manual

Explanation

Automating a poor process embeds its waste and workarounds. Process review and redesign should precede automation to capture the full benefit. Bots do not fix design flaws, and AGI is not a realistic prerequisite.

Did you get it right without looking?

One question tells you little. A timed set on Machine learning, AI and robotics shows your real accuracy, how long you take and where you lose marks.

Practise Machine learning, AI and roboticsFree diagnostic mock

More Machine learning, AI and robotics questions