What do you do if your problem-solving approach in Process Automation projects is hindered by conflicts?
When you're knee-deep in a process automation project, the last thing you want is to hit a snag due to interpersonal or technical conflicts. Yet, this is a common challenge you might face. Process automation involves streamlining operations through technology, such as using software to automate repetitive tasks. But when conflicts arise, they can derail your problem-solving efforts and impede progress. Understanding how to navigate these issues is crucial to keeping your project on track and ensuring a smooth transition to automated processes.
In any project, especially one involving process automation, conflicts can stem from various sources. It could be resistance to change from team members, misalignment of goals between departments, or even technical roadblocks. Your first step is to identify the root cause of the conflict. Listen to all parties involved and assess the situation objectively. Once you understand the underlying issues, you can begin to address them. Remember, conflicts are not necessarily negative; they can present an opportunity for improvement if handled constructively.
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Rahim A.
Senior Payment Accountant
It helps to understand the concerns of various parties and to align the goals. It is also important to set clear targets and objectives i.e. why the change is necessary and ensure they are in line with the company's direction too. Many times, changes are forced down without clear goals and this creates misunderstanding as to why the changes are necessary.
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Santosh Pawaskar
Redefine Supply Chain Performance
Conflicts arise mainly due to competing objectives between various stakeholders. One has to understand motive/ objective and access the relationship between objectives (if exists ). Each motive has certain outcome and the outcome drives the position person takes in conflicting situation. Key here is to focus on objectives and understand how it affects the concern persons.
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Gentle AGOH
Process Automation, Control and Optimisation Engineer.
Assess Conflict: Take the time to assess the nature and extent of conflicts within the project. Identify the root causes of conflicts, whether they stem from differences in opinion, resource allocation, conflicting priorities, or interpersonal dynamics. Understanding the underlying issues will help you devise effective strategies for resolution.
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Ítalo de Melo
Eng. Automação
Sim. Concordo que conflitos precisam ser esclarecidos e realmente vivenciamos isso constantemente em nosso dia a dia. Portanto avaliar as partes conflitantes pode ser uma ótima opção de desenvolver oportunidades ainda não vistas.
Facilitating an open dialogue is key in resolving conflicts that hinder your process automation efforts. Encourage team members to express their concerns and ideas openly without fear of judgment. This can help clear up misunderstandings and align everyone's objectives. It's important to create a safe environment where each voice can be heard and considered. Through effective communication, you can foster collaboration and find a solution that satisfies all parties involved.
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Geoff Hamm
Serving those who serve us - Providing AI, Automation and Analytics software and support to the U.S. Federal Government.
Process Automation is both a science and an art. Every art form has conflicting opinions, and rarely (if ever) are they “right" or "wrong". It's important to take a step back and try to genuinely understand differing points of view as you work towards consensus. When faced with foreign ideas or suggestions, prolific record producer Rick Rubin does not approach them defensively, nor does he dismiss them. Instead, he says “let’s see how it sounds”. Just as Rubin’s records are consumed by many listeners, your applications will be consumed by many users. A more diverse team will be more representative of a wider user base. Thus, any upfront disagreements will likely lead to increased adoption later on. These are conversations worth having.
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Isha Borikar-Kulkarni
Business Development Manager - Digital Industries, Process Automation DCS @Siemens Ltd.
Facilitating an open dialogue is key in resolving conflicts that hinder your process automation efforts. Encourage team members to express their concerns and ideas openly without fear of judgment
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Ítalo de Melo
Eng. Automação
Os diálogos abertos facilitam muito os esclarecimentos e enganjamentos durante os trabalhos . Contudo creio que como consequência isso faz com que o ambiente de trabalho se torne um lugar mais seguro e eficiente para trabalho.
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Parag Dessai
Low Code & AI for Financial Services at Microsoft
Constructive disagreement or opinions are healthy and very important to look at a problem from different perspective. Its important to encourage constructive communication and collaboration among team members to resolve conflicts. As a leader our focus should be ensuring discussions align with project's goals and objectives while fostering a positive and respectful team environment. Ultimately the every decisions need to be backed by data so that you can quantify the results.
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Abhishek Jagtap
Senior Software Developer at METRO Business Solution Center
Understanding conflicts is crucial, but true problem-solving hinges on collaboration. Brainstorming solutions early with process owners and relevant parties is key. This improves the sense of ownership and allows everyone to identify potential conflicts before development begins. By proactively addressing concerns and taking user input, you can significantly reduce development time, improve user adoption, and create more sustainable automation solutions in the long run.
When faced with conflicts, it's beneficial to reframe the issues at hand. Instead of viewing them as obstacles, consider them as challenges that can lead to innovation and growth. Encourage your team to adopt this mindset and brainstorm creative solutions together. By reframing the problem, you can shift the focus from the conflict itself to the potential opportunities it presents. This positive outlook can inspire your team to work together towards a common goal.
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Gentle AGOH
Process Automation, Control and Optimisation Engineer.
Reframe Issues: Reframe conflicts as opportunities for learning and growth rather than obstacles. Encourage team members to approach conflicts with a positive mindset, focusing on finding mutually beneficial solutions that align with project goals and objectives. Shift the narrative from blame or confrontation to collaboration and problem-solving.
In process automation projects, conflicts may arise due to a lack of expertise in certain areas. It's essential to leverage the skills and knowledge within your team or seek external expertise when necessary. Bringing in a specialist or consultant with experience in process automation can provide new perspectives and solutions that you may not have considered. Their expertise can help navigate technical complexities and ensure that your automation strategies are sound and effective.
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Gentle AGOH
Process Automation, Control and Optimisation Engineer.
Leverage Expertise: Tap into the expertise and diverse perspectives of team members to navigate conflicts effectively. Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among individuals with different skill sets and backgrounds. Draw upon the collective wisdom of the team to brainstorm innovative solutions and overcome obstacles encountered in Process Automation projects.
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Ítalo de Melo
Eng. Automação
Sim . Ocorre muito essa situação e mesmo em alguns momentos em que faz necessário um comportamento mais aprofundado do assunto com abordagens técnicas para melhor entendimento da situação.
Before fully implementing a solution to a conflict in your process automation project, consider piloting it on a small scale. This approach allows you to test the effectiveness of the solution and make adjustments as needed without risking the entire project. It also demonstrates a commitment to resolving the conflict while minimizing potential disruptions. A successful pilot can build confidence among stakeholders and pave the way for broader adoption of the proposed changes.
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Abhishek Jagtap
Senior Software Developer at METRO Business Solution Center
Pilot solutions in process automation help mitigate conflicts by testing smaller modules and features iteratively. User feedback, testing, and documentation ensure smoother integration with existing processes, minimizing risks and enhancing efficiency.
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Gentle AGOH
Process Automation, Control and Optimisation Engineer.
Pilot Solutions: Implement pilot solutions or small-scale experiments to test potential resolutions to conflicts or challenges in the automation process. By piloting solutions in a controlled environment, you can evaluate their effectiveness, identify any unforeseen issues, and iterate on the solutions before full-scale implementation.
Lastly, embrace the principle of continuous improvement in your process automation projects. Conflicts are often indicators of areas that require enhancement. By continuously seeking ways to optimize processes and address issues proactively, you can prevent similar conflicts from arising in the future. Encourage feedback and regularly review your processes to ensure they remain effective and aligned with your organizational goals.
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Abhishek Jagtap
Senior Software Developer at METRO Business Solution Center
Continuous improvement is key to conflict minimization. It fosters open communication, iterative problem-solving, and learning from mistakes. By empowering employees and adapting to change, it ensures proactive conflict resolution and ongoing optimization of processes.
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Gentle AGOH
Process Automation, Control and Optimisation Engineer.
Continuous Improvement: Embrace a culture of continuous improvement within the project team. Encourage feedback loops and regular retrospectives to reflect on lessons learned from conflicts and identify opportunities for process enhancement. Use data-driven insights and performance metrics to measure the impact of conflict resolution strategies and refine approaches over time.
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Srinivasa Rao Billalavalasa
UiPath Advance RPA Developer Certified | RPA Uipath Developer | Infoscian | C# | VB.Net | Python
If conflicts arise during problem-solving in process automation projects, address them promptly by identifying root causes, fostering open communication, and implementing conflict resolution strategies like negotiation and compromise. Emphasize collaboration and teamwork to maintain focus on project goals, and involve a neutral third party if needed to facilitate resolution swiftly and ensure project success.
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Ítalo de Melo
Eng. Automação
Neste aspecto de melhoria contínua podemos perceber que neste universo de Automação de processos precisarmos muito imergir em novas oportunidades e sempre buscar novas tecnologias e tendências de mercado.
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