Automation technology is more accessible than ever, with many organisations already leveraging its transformative potential. In Australia, 68% of businesses have adopted automation technologies, and another 23% plan to do so within the next year. Yet, while the promise of automation is compelling, success depends on much more than the technology itself.

Automation projects often fall short due to common pitfalls such as unclear stakeholder expectations, poor change management and weak cross-functional communication. Resistance to change, insufficient education and inadequate post-deployment support can further hinder the realisation of automation’s benefits. However, while there are many reasons why business process automation projects fail, there are also clear factors that contribute to success.

1. A foundational vision

Arguably, the most critical factor in determining the success of an automation initiative is having a clearly defined vision. While this may sound theoretical, the impact is very practical. An organisation focused solely on cost reduction will choose vastly different processes to automate than one driven by improving employee engagement or enhancing customer experience. If processes to improve employee or customer experience are measured against cost reduction KPIs, they will inevitably fall short. Carl Raath, Director – Automation Practice at Avec states “successful automation projects are built on a clear, well-defined vision. This vision informs the business case, guides decision-making, and drives stakeholder engagement throughout the project life cycle.”

Everything flows from this foundational vision. Automation is not merely about implementing new technology but transforming how employees work. At Avec, our most successful projects are those where automation has been tightly integrated into the broader business strategy rather than treated as a standalone IT effort.

2. Alignment with business strategy

One of the strongest predictors of success is ensuring that your business process automation goals directly support your organisation’s broader business strategy. This alignment helps maintain focus on the outcomes that matter most and ensures that automation is viewed as a means of achieving meaningful, long-term results. Carl emphasises that “It is critical to align processes wit business goals and technology capabilities. Start small, build trust, and scale up strategically.”

Some examples include:

• If your company’s primary goal is increasing revenue, your automation implementation might focus on processes that improve sales efficiency, reduce lead times or enhance customer experience. This could include automating lead generation and nurturing processes to help the sales team focus on high-quality prospects, ultimately driving more revenue.

If you are looking to scale or enter new markets, automation could support rapid expansion by standardising core operations across locations or regions to ensure consistency and efficiency as your company scales.

3. Executive sponsorship and support

Automation projects are often considered IT-driven initiatives, but their actual value is realised when operations are fully integrated into the conversation. Senior executives must champion both the technology and its integration into business process to achieve successful outcomes. Natasha Page, General Manager at Avec states “senior executives must ensure automation is reliable, performs as intended, and integrates smoothly into daily workflows. Securing ongoing stakeholder buy-in and providing continuous support is essential to maintain its benefits and prevent obsolescence.”

So, where do we come in?

Business process automation projects have the potential to unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation for businesses, but success depends on much more than the technology itself. A clearly defined vision, alignment with business strategy, and strong executive sponsorship are critical factors that contribute to the successful implementation of automation projects. However, that’s not all. Check out Avec’s Automation Delivery Playbook to discover the other key elements for success automation of business processes.
With a wealth of automation experience, implementing and supporting over 300 solutions, reach out to the Avec team today to align your automation initiatives with your business strategy and drive meaningful results.needs.