Structured Evaluation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Tools
摘要
Robotic process automation (RPA) technologies enable the construction, execution, and management of “robots” that emulate human actions within an information system. Given the significant diversity of available RPA tools, selecting one can be a challenging task for organizations. A systematic approach and detailed evaluation, contextualized to the organizational environment in which the tool will be used, can significantly improve the selection process. In this paper, we adapt and apply an evaluation methodology for RPA tools derived from an existing methodology for evaluating Business Process Management Systems. The methodology proposes the selection and ranking of a set of characteristics of interest, supports exploratory screening, and facilitates both theoretical and practical assessment, thereby accommodating various evaluation strategies tailored to organizational needs. Its practical application is illustrated through a real-world study, in which we performed an exploratory analysis on an initial list of 30 commercial RPA tools, and then a theoretical evaluation of the two most suitable for the client’s environment. Results demonstrate that the methodology can rapidly focus attention on the most promising RPA tools.