RPA 101- An overview

RPA  - Robotic Process Automation  is a form of “ business process automation technology based on metaphorical software robots (bots) or artificial intelligence (AI) workers” as per Wikipedia.

Lets dwell a little more to understand RPA. Now for those who don’t know what “Automation” is it’s the  technique of making a process or a system operate automatically. In other words the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services. There are different types of automation, fixed, programmable & flexible sometimes called hybrid.

Robotic Process Automation  was coined by Blue Prism in 2012.Now for beginners to get a better understanding think of Robotics Process Automation as a  software solution that automates rule based tasks performed on single or multiple applications. Its Automation that mimics human activities carrying out steps of rule based, non-subjective process. Here Software robots are pre- programmed with sequence of tasks, “IF-Then” logic. Robots can interact with any application the same way a user does in a  Non Invasive / UI based interaction.

Let’s take an example of a “ Claim processing”  by a finance team member in production. Here the finance team member logs into the financial application, views their assigned task and clicks on the task where a claim needs to be approved.Based on the rules & guidelines set up for claim processing the finance team member views the claim, the proof of submission and if it within the ambit of the rules and guidelines set up for the claim. The finance team member approves or rejects the claim. The robot can be programmed to do this whole task.

Now one would say to automate this we could use an excel macro, yes we can and probably it would work well too. Macros have technology limitation and dependencies. One needs  to know a programming language like Visual Basic. Macros do work well with office applications and yes needs governance. Have you heard of a macro bringing down a complete mainframe system post a developer leaving the firm costing a large firm millions of dollars in loss?Yes unbelievable but true. There are challenges with excel that still can be addressed the question we ask is if everything that can be done by RPA could be done by excel then why was it not done years ago? Some so called technologists  would like to belittle RPA by saying RPA is macros on steroids.

Having given a view of Macros lets understand the power of RPA. The economic value is that it reduces operational cost and its attains return on investment goals faster. From a workforce standpoint it moves from labor centric to technologic with the capability of working 24/7.There is improved accuracy and an audit trail and helps in digitalization of manual process. While there is advantages in using RPA ,It still needs to be thought through and project selection becomes critical.

Here are some of the considerations to take advantage of RPA. A careful assessment of the following factors is required to determine where we use RPA and what impact to expect. Note this is not a whole exhaustive list but some important ones.

1.     What is the Business Objective of using RPA?

                                I.            Is it speed of service delivery

                              II.            Quality of service

                           III.            Is it to meet Risk management, Regulatory objectives

                           IV.            Is it to improve Efficiency and to reduce Cost

2.     Is the process rule based, repetitive [e.g. moving data from one system to another, creating report from multiple sources, etc.] or is it subjective?

                                I.            Do standard rules or variable rules apply. Are they documented?

                              II.            Volume of work , has this been captured and determined?

                           III.            Seasonality / Variability/Exceptions of the process

3.     Are there major changes in the immediate horizon?

                                I.            Process changes

                              II.            Platform / Underlying technology changes

4.     Is there a need to Optimize / Re-Design process ahead of Automation

                                I.            Can lean be applied and wastes eliminated before we apply RPA?

                              II.            Complexity of Process Redesign, Not everything needs to be automated.

                           III.            Time to Market, how important is this?

In other words to start of with RPA one could consider a simple process which intensively manual  with high volume, structurally repetitive, low exception volume, high likelihood for human error process to start with. The key is the business process is well understood and documented. I’m not going to dwell on how important is the business involvement and stakeholder commitment  towards the RPA initiative , like any other project it is very  important to set expectations with the sponsor or business unit.

Finally while you think RPA , make sure you think of all other process and governance areas like you would do for any project. Do consider what is the business continuity plan, change management governance, how the RPA teams both business and technical teams are engaged in the governance. Do consider separation of duties & roles and responsibilities. How are the robots being monitored and is it approved by the information security office and meets regulation for that business process.

RPA is here to stay , though I’m sure future products, applications would be pre-automated and there will be convergence of RPA technologies within the products. Stay tuned for more in RPA!

Blue Ocean Strategy - A book review

An Ocean is a very large expanse of the sea , it is vast and its depth is still being revisited by man every time. I’m sure most of us know why the ocean is blue.. its for simple reason of the sun’s white light entering the ocean & blue getting returned. The are portions of light like red , orange and yellow that just gets absorbed so some times you could possibly see a red ocean. In the market universe imagine 2 sorts of oceans Red & Blue. Red ocean represents the industries existing today and blue oceans represent industries not in existence today i.e known and unknown markets.

Competition does exists in industries ….especially in known markets…it becomes red due to the fight cause of the shrinking pool of profit. One may ask if this happens in a monopoly or oligopoly market? The fact remains as to how does one create an uncontested market space and make competition Irrelevant.

W Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne makes an attempt to provide a systematic approach to making competition irrelevant in their book.This is definitely a blue ocean as most studies done in the past was based on company and industries. Here with a study 150 strategic move spanning 130+ years they have tried to help in providing ways to create blue oceans and their impacts.

The key here is Strategic Move which is the set of actions and decisions involved in making major market creating a business offering.

In this book one would dwell in cornerstone of blue ocean strategy which is Value Innovation, which focus’s on making competition irrelevant by creating value for the buyer & company.As you read along you would find it interesting as the book does introduces the tools and frameworks for creating blue oceans , In addition to this the 4 guiding principles for successful formulation looking across 6 conventional boundaries. Strategy does involve both opportunity and risk. The book uses visualization approach towards tackling risk which helps to create a blue ocean and also to maximize it.They say strategy is in the design which addresses business model risk and the sequence to create the strategy. The book then talks about leadership and introduces the concept of tipping point leadership which help leaders and managers to overcome hurdles which is a key to creating, sustaining and renewing blue oceans.

I would recommend reading this book if you want ideas and anecdotes and think there is a process to strategy.I’m looking forward to reading hopefully the part 2 of Blue Ocean Strategy and Blue Ocean Shift where more companies would have been analysed especially in the digital era of technology(2000–2020) and blue oceans designed ,created, implemented &justified with outcomes and there by find a company or industry which is perpetually excellent.

How I met my wife ??

I always wanted to write about how I met my wife to be though it was not a Love story, it ended up being one... This was way back when I was in Jersey city and as the Indian custom goes, my parents were looking out for a “girl” for me. They happen to get a match through the “horoscope” process. I’m sure the horoscope process would be an interesting read but mine was “horror “ scope of filters.

First the horoscope , then  the region , the family , the  education etc.. oh my God what not! I did tell my parents that I’d like to see and talk to the girl before I decide. They were OK. So it was to be “Video-webcam meeting... the good old yahoo messenger days”.

 

I was in Jersey and she was in Chennai then. We did schedule a time , however for some reason she could not make it. We did reschedule again, and again she did not make it. I did wonder why... I just wrote her an email asking if she was serious about this and if she was not to just let me know. Clicked send! No response... I figured out may be it was in the email I sent.

 

As luck would have had it , I did not see further traction on the proposals. I decided to go to India and test my luck. My dad called her parents and they said “No, they were working on something else”. The custom is then to return the photograph and part ways .My parents decided to go all guns as they thought I would run away to the US—the country that I loved—without getting married. They thought it was their responsibility to see me married off. So they advertised in the newspapers with a P.O.box. They went online when the .com portals just started, they also registered in various marriage bureaus. As luck would had it—many proposals, only 10 horoscope matches, 5 matches with region and family, 2 for a working professional... and then just 1... It was her. I still did not meet any girl for marriage yet. My parents called her parents again after the newspaper response.

 

Her parents replied back mentioning “something else has come up knowing that it was me”. Nothing worked out for a year, I still did not meet anyone in person for marriage. I finally decided to get back to US and my visa interview was scheduled. It’s so happened that one of my school friend’s parents stopped by to check on me as to when I would leave to the US as they had a parcel for their son. I did tell the uncle that my visa interview is just scheduled. He made a comment “All you guys need is to be more responsible, you leave your parents and you all go to the US and then find someone there and never come back”. To which I replied “I’m ready to get married. Do you have a girl in mind?” Immediately he mentioned there was someone he knew that was looking for a boy.

 

This could be just a coincidence, but it happened to be her. She was still in Chennai and I was in Bangalore and we never met. Since the visa stamping was in Chennai, the uncle suggested that he would talk to her parents and we could possibly meet with no obligations. Her parents agreed  I flew to Chennai, we met at Barista Coffee and we just connected and decided—yes,  we will be. The rest is history, marriages are made in heaven... The only girl I met in person for  marriage I did marry finally.

-published for newsletter in Feb 2019

 

Book review -The Habit of Winning

What is a Habit? Habit: A settled or regular tendency or practice,especially one that is hard to give up. We all have habits some are positive and some are negative. Someone said ... if you remove the “H” A BIT remains, if you remove the “A” BIT remains and if you remove the “B” IT remains. So it’s important to know what habit we are carrying.

Prakash Iyer in an effective story telling/anecdote mode focuses on the habit of winning.You could pick any page, go back 1 or 2 pages to the start of the story and read... each story has its own little moral. This is not difficult even to people who don’t like to read. With this book one can start liking short stories/anecdotes. For the traditional reader ... this book too has lots to offer!

Why does “Winning” need to be a habit, we need to understand here the context of Winning ... generally winning is something that is “won” in true “Noun” sense. Winning as an adjective could mean successful or victorious like the winning team, it also could mean Charming or Engaging ... like a ‘winning child or winning smile” ... in end “to each their own” when it comes to Winning. Winning could be cultivated as a habit.

I’m sure sports would come to our mind and to the millions in India “cricket” ... yes we have now won 2 tournaments in a row, ICC in England and Tri Series in West Indies. Prakash Iyer in his book focuses a bit more on cricket considering India’s love to this game and also his passion to the game, when I read the book this was the initial thought. It also showed the fine balance of being happy, making a difference to yourself and to the world around you. It also focused on different habits to win in a subtle manner. Most people would call this a self-help book ... Think again!

In the stories and anecdotes you will find stories that could change the way we think work and live.The stories are about leadership, teamwork, self-belief, determination and patience. We all know and have heard about the wars between the giants Pepsi and Coke but here we also get to hear Important Life lessons Prakash learnt from his cola days. It also contains stories from Olympic heroes and ordinary folks. Stories that will help ignite a new passion and a renewed sense of purpose in us and our team’s minds and hearts too. Now that’s the Key.... “A new passion and a renewed sense of purpose in our minds and in our team’s minds and hearts.”

I’m sure I could go on about this book, it’s also important to know a little about the author as that would give a background of his experience which he shares in his writing. Prakash Iyer has worked for over 25 years working with teams selling nearly everything from soaps to colas to watches, diapers and yellow pages. He is MBA from IIM-A and also a trained executive coach. He is currently the Managing Director of Kimberly Clark Lever. For those interested in buying generally this is what I’d say “A book chooses you.” Finally ending with this note “Winning isn’t everything but wanting to win is.”

Foxes

Foxes are a species of animals that are popular in various culture for their characteristics.
Typically they are known for being cunning ...Its interesting to observe that foxes are also resourceful and are tricksters , as they would outsmart other smaller creatures.
They generally are a solitary animal , and are used to snatch others prey ...like they are skilled enough to figure who they can abuse and get ahead and who they can charm to get away with.

Get IT Right

Thinking of what to write
Something to comprehend or something right
Life is changing under our own eyes
Carrot or the cofee bean
Everything has to go right

Environments change
The brain drains
Nothing remains
Yet thinking of what to write
Something to provoke or something right

New Year is ahead wishes galore
Hoping for the wave the future holds
Still thinking of what to write
Something valuable or something right

Vulnerable we are the vacuum exists
Complexity and chaos
Eventually this is what I write
Getting back to work & I got IT right

-republished again in Mar 2013

Datapoints...

Importance of data
today you make decisions with certain set of data...
When certain sets of data points are added you may make another decision...so understand it does not mean your initial decisions were wrong.
Its important to gather as much as data points possible and make decisions...
Sometimes its important to also filter and abstract data points and make decisions.

Another Run!

Another year .. Another 10k ... I wish I could run 10k without stopping !
Yeah that requires a lot of practice and discipline .Lots of hope and thoughts ...and pain while running ! But  was determined to complete it and did it .

There were a  few thoughts on how the event organizers could do a better job ...They need to raise the bar on organizing marathon events especially when there is so many enthusiastic people to Run.

-Dustbins to create the culture of throwing used bottles etc into the dustbin
-Easy availability of medical supplies
-Increase the number of counters for distribution of food supplies
-Separate counters for Medals/Certificates
-Do not stop the run to entertain VIP traffic! --Stop it only for medical emergency or other emergency
-Somewhere the theme of the run gets lost!

The most important part ....As important the start is to the 10k ....make finishing too very important !

“Life goes on with you and without you”

Its been a long time..back here again!! what brings me here !!
Death ---the end of life ;the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism. I may have said this before that the tragedy of death is not life ....but what we let die inside of us when we live! In life we come across many people who are part of our lives ...
some to care for ;
some to love ;
some to understand ;
......
......
......
some to complicate; :)

But its a very few that truly inspires!
If I were to describe her in 1 word "Dedicated" !
Dedicated to education and Balvikas ;
Many of us are a reflection of her "Good Qualities " We love you Always!
Miss you ... May her soul rest in peace!

“Life goes on with me and without me”

GIST OF THE GITA

Whatever has happened is for GOOD
Whatever is happening is going on WELL
Whatever will happen that will also be GOOD

Why you are repenting for whatever you have LOST
Have you brought anything with you which you have LOST?

Have you produced anything that is DRESTROYED
Whatever you have gained you obtained from HERE
Whatever you gave you have given HERE
whatever belongs today yesterday belonged to SOMEONE
It may belong to someone DAYAFTER

CHANGE IS THE RULE OF NATURE

You Can!

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can!
so what you can is what you can till you have explored it!
Its amazing how these little secrets can make a difference especially when you are surrounded by lot of clouds,dust and dirt!

The ability to see clearly when surrounded by lot of clouds,dust and dirt is an ART...get it used it! A Moving thought!

Another Session on REBT

REBT (Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy) has been popular with various organizations. I gave the presentation & session on REBT to my office folks, for me it was refresher and for many in the office it was thought provoking!

Started off ...like the way nobody expected.. In the session talked about ABC theory.
Actions ->Consequences ...A causes C. But A causes C only with the Help of Beliefs.

Situations in the world do not disturb us It is our view that makes it so
-Epictetus

How do we acquire Beliefs-> Inborn Intelligence,Acquired Experience,& we create beliefs

Harmful Beliefs
I must do everything well and get appreciation from all, or else I am worthless

Others must be kind and just to me, otherwise they are worthless

Everything in the world must be easy for me; or else nothing is worth doing in the world

The first category belief makes us anxious and guilty
The second category belief makes us non-tolerant and less flexible
The third category belief makes us vulnerable and prone to Low Frustration Tolerance L-F-T)

Its important to challenge and get rid of the musts..

Live in the world as it is NOT In a world as it ought to be

Its important to Dispute the beliefs with Rational..Thus leading to Effective Attitude

Unconditional self-acceptance:

I am a fallible human being; I have my good points and my bad points.
There is no reason why I must not have flaws.
Despite my good points and my bad points, I am no more worthy and no less worthy than any other human being.

Unconditional other-acceptance:

Other people will treat me unfairly from time to time.
There is no reason why they must treat me fairly.
The people who treat me unfairly are no more worthy and no less worthy than any other human being.

Unconditional life-acceptance:

Life doesn't always work out the way that I'd like it to.
There is no reason why life must go the way I want it to
Life is not necessarily pleasant but it is never awful and it is nearly always bearable.

Finally Thanking Dr Albert Ellis and the person who got it my attention way back!

How to Let go!

You cannot control everything in LIFE ...so no point thinking and breaking your head or heart on what you can't control

Its important to be able to move on and not hold onto it.

So what are the ways to let go

1)Learn to Accept as the past cannot be changed
2)Be aware of your thoughts..come to the present
3)Start something new get involved in a new hobby or something involving
4)Its important to share and vent your pain and sadness with your partner or friend
5)Go back talk to the people involved if possible
6)Apologize and ask forgiveness if there is a need
7)Take a break...go for a vacation
8)Write...like they way I try to do to let go!


For me 1-8 work ...sometimes 9 & 10 too :)

Lesson learnt : People will still stab from the back! but you still be Honest Harmless and Happy the way you always are!

Ran the Open 10km RUN-31st May 2009

Not for the pride nor for the pain I ran the Sunfeast World 10K Run in Bangalore
Completed the 10k run ....lastly but not the least I did it!
Not a fitness freak but I believed I could do it and I just did it!
Its important not only to believe in oneself but many a time proving to oneself that one can do the impossible. Anyway hoping that the run gives all the people whatever they look forward to from the run!

Whats in a Name??

You may ask whats in a Name??
You would recive a zillion replies!
Anyway we chose "Siddharth"

Relationships

Some thoughtful points:

1. Accept people as they are. You can't change them until they want to!

2. Don't expect people will do things for you. Well if they do ...good for you!

3. Be sensitive on what you say ...Its easy to hurt people! Sometimes hold yourself back!

4. Comparisons will always be there ....Avoid people who do it!

5. It takes 2 to tick ..Stretch your hand ...but don't hurt yourself..take your time don't hurry!

Dec 9th 2008

Enter a special day in my life....
yet another stage in Life!
Being a Father!
09-12-2008
time 12:42 pm!

"My son was born"

Welcome Son!!

....Fair Governance

Corporates uses different sometimes unique strategies to ensure that they are successful...besides also having eye washers like vision mission and values.Yes there is no perfect world.

So what should one take?

Take each day as it comes .....Note Rome was not build in day
Stay focused with what one wants to do and do it.
Ensure you spend quality time with family and friends
Try to plan as much as you can.
Understand, be aware of your strengths and Use it.
Work on weakness ...
Discover new opportunities ,Be open to them
Finally there is risk in nearly everything ...
the point here is to mitigate them!

One needs to be aware in corporates white lies are told!.
People are manipulative ...everyone has his/her agenda.

As a part of Governance Corporates should ensure that they minimise white lies
hold people Accountable...Ensure Fair Governance!

GWT

Google Web too kit!!

Product Notes from Gooogle :Writing web apps today is a tedious and error-prone process. Developers can spend 90% of their time working around browser quirks. In addition, building, reusing,
and maintaining large JavaScript code bases and AJAX components can be difficult and fragile. Google Web Toolkit (GWT) eases this burden by allowing developers to quickly build and maintain complex yet highly performant JavaScript front-end applications in the Java programming language.

Here is the link...

http://code.google.com/webtoolkit/

It a good start since u don't need to know swings or awt etc!

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Don't Worry, Be Happy
From the Movie "Cocktails"
Performed by Bobby McFerrin

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Lood at me I am happy
Don't worry, be happy
Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don't worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......
Don't worry don't do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy