Process automation, or business process automation (BPM) is the application of technology to automate a repeatable sequence of different tasks or sub-tasks, using user-defined rules, to drive business operations.

The components of a process automation initiative might include not just the workflow engines involved but also analytics, collaboration tools, business rules, and others.

How are workflow automation and process automation different?

While workflow automation and process automation may seem very similar, there are several key differences between the two. 

Workflow automation is the automation of the completion of specific tasks. Process automation is about a more holistic automation of a sequence of tasks.

Workflow automation often is initiated because of existing processes. No existing process, no workflow automation.

Workflow automation makes the completion of individual tasks easier and faster. Process automation makes the operational steps, which may include multiple tasks, needed to complete a project more accurate and more efficient.

Workflow automation often refers to micro-level tasks, like signing a document. Process automation often refers to macro-level goals, like improving customer experience.

It’s good to think of process automation projects as being larger-scale efforts than workflow automation ones, since they can have a larger scope and can deliver correspondingly larger value to the organization. Read On: