How to Change Your Robotic Process Automation Approach: Switching from Centralized to Federated CoE

Updating Your RPA Strategy: When to Move From Centralized to Federated CoE

In the fast-moving world of robotic process automation (RPA), organizations need to continually refine their strategies to achieve scalability, efficiency, innovation, and agility. If your business is growing or if you want to give individual business units more control, you might need to decide whether to stick with a centralized Center of Excellence (CoE) or switch to a federated CoE.

Here’s what you need to know about robotic process automation:

• Understanding Centralized vs. Federated CoE Models:

• • • Centralized CoE: A single team manages all RPA robotic process automation activities for the entire organization. This approach is good for control and consistency.
    • Federated CoE: Multiple teams handle robotic process automation in different departments or units, with central oversight. This model allows more flexibility and local control.

• When to Consider the Shift:

• • • If your centralized model is becoming a bottleneck or if your business units want more autonomy, it might be time to switch to a federated CoE.

• Benefits of a Federated CoE:

• • • Scalability: By distributing responsibilities, it can handle more complex and varied robotic process automation RPA needs.
    • Business Alignment: Departments can tailor RPA robotic process automation initiatives to their specific needs and goals.
    • Agility and Innovation: Local teams can make faster decisions and experiment more, leading to increased innovation.

• Steps for Transition:

• • • Assess readiness: Check if your current setup and teams are ready for a federated model.
    • Engage Stakeholders: Get buy-in from key people like senior leaders and business unit heads. Explain the benefits and risks.
    • Define Governance Structure: Set up new roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes.
    • Build Capabilities: Provide training and resources to help business units manage their robotic process automation tasks.
    • Pilot the Transition: Start with a few departments, gather feedback, and refine the approach before a wider rollout.

• Considerations for the Change:

• • Culture and Change Management: Promote teamwork and manage resistance to the new model.
  • Technology and Infrastructure: Ensure teams have the necessary tools and support.
  • Performance Measurement: Track key metrics like time-to-market and cost savings.
  • Governance oversight: maintain central oversight to ensure alignment with overall goals.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and improve the federated model based on feedback.
  • Risk Management: Ensure compliance with regulations and manage robotic process automation RPA-related risks.

In Conclusion: Switching from a centralized to a federated CoE can make your robotic process automation strategy more scalable and aligned with business needs as you grow. While a centralized CoE works well initially, a federated model can empower business units to make their own decisions and drive innovation. Assess your readiness, involve key stakeholders, and pilot the transition to get the most out of your robotic process automation efforts.

We hope this guide helps you understand the benefits and considerations of moving to a federated CoE model. If you found this useful, let us know, and share it with others in your network!