Written by Mark Samuels – Analyst Forrester believes we’re about to enter a new phase of RPA and automation. During the next decade, we’ll see the emergence of ‘autonomous enterprises‘ – organisations whose operating models are enabled by self-aware, self-correcting, self-directed digital technology, with AI and automation at their core. 

Such is the power of RPA, that – once the software is up and running – it might be tempting for CIOs to sit back and watch the efficiencies multiply. 

However, while the business case for using automation is clear, operationalising RPA can be tough, with long-held practices slow to change. 

That’s a situation that’s recognised by Adobe CIO Cynthia Stoddard, who’s spent the past few years overseeing the implementation of automation within her own business. She says the introduction of RPA requires a careful, considered approach. 

“It’s a culture change – be true to what your vision is and what you say,” she says. “If you’re not upfront, people are going to be scared, and they’re going to push back on the technology. Just be open and transparent and help people through the change.”

While RPA might be tempting to implement, its acceptance is not necessarily guaranteed as employees can be concerned about the impact of the technology – especially if it starts doing what they perceive to be their work. Initial reports a few years ago suggested up to 800 million global workers might lose their jobs by 2030 due to robotic automation. Read On: