Have you heard of automation?
Well, even if you haven’t heard of it, you’ve certainly experienced it. After all, automation has quietly become part of our everyday lives. As an example, allow me to paint a familiar picture:
It’s 8:59 AM on a Tuesday morning. You’re working from home and just barely completed the arduous commute from bed to desk for that 9:00 AM executive meeting. You think you’re settled in, but then — BAM — your screen goes black. Windows has started an update.
That right there, my friends, is automation at work.
Frustrating? Oh, most definitely! But when done right, automation can be an incredibly powerful force — especially in an organizational setting. It can reduce manual workloads, streamline processes, and (surprise!) even prevent those kinds of unexpected tech ambushes.
So that’s what we’ll cover in this article: what workflow automation actually is, why it matters, how you can prepare to implement it, and how your business can benefit from it—hopefully without a computer update interrupting your read.
My surely relatable example aside, let’s define what we’re talking about.
At its core, automation refers to taking anything from mundane tasks to complex business processes and — well — automating them. Instead of requiring human intervention at every step, automated workflows are designed with rules, triggers, and integrations that allow them to run with minimal input.
By doing this, organizations can level up their efficiency — reducing the number of people, interactions, and interfaces needed to complete a workflow.
And the best part? Automation isn’t here to replace your workers or existing systems. It’s here to enhance them by freeing up time and resources for the kind of work that pushes organization goals forward.
We’ve already touched on both the benefits and occasional frustrations of automation — and right up front, let me say this: the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
So why has workflow automation become such a big deal lately?
Because the way we work has changed — and the cracks in old processes are starting to show. Here’s what’s driving this change:
Remote and hybrid work are here to stay.
Teams aren’t always sitting next to each other anymore. Automation helps keep things moving — approvals, notifications, document handoffs — even when everyone’s in a different time zone or physical space.
Budgets are tighter.
Companies need to do more with less, and that means reducing manual effort wherever possible. Automation helps stretch team capacity without burning people out (or adding ten more people to the headcount).
Customers expect speed.
Whether it’s onboarding, processing requests, or delivering services — slow, clunky internal workflows eventually affect the customer experience. Automation shortens response times and reduces human error.
IT teams are stretched thin.
Let’s be real: your developers and system admins probably have more on their plate than ever — hence their extended stay in the scripting dungeon. Empowering teams to automate tasks on their own (without code) helps reduce that backlog.
Repetitive tasks are a productivity killer.
From data entry to status check-ins, these are the things that steadily eat away at people’s time and mental headroom. Automation reclaims those hours and gives them back to your team.
In short: workflow automation matters because it lets businesses work smarter, faster, and more consistently — without piling more on already-busy teams.
Admittedly, automation is a broad term — but that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Its versatility means it can be applied to a wide range of processes, transforming all kinds of workflows. And if you’re wondering what that looks like in practice, well — it just so happens we’ve seen some clear patterns across organizations using BizFlow M.
While automating paperwork is a huge win on its own, that’s just the beginning. Automation now handles a variety of behind-the-scenes processes—routing documents, assigning tasks, and guiding decisions using business rules and configurable workflows. With built-in tracking and structured logic, teams can streamline approvals, manage case lifecycles, and ensure critical tasks move forward — all without getting lost in someone’s inbox.
But Wait! There’s more: automation also helps teams visualize how work flows across departments, revealing bottlenecks and opportunities to improve efficiency. Whether it’s coordinating internal operations or supporting customer-facing tasks, automation has become an essential tool for organizations looking to scale sustainably with little complexity.
Alright, if you’ve made it this far — congrats!
Clearly, the tantalizing promise of automation now lingers in your thoughts.
So, pray thee, read on—if you seek a path paved with fewer delays, less paperwork, lighter workloads, and smarter processes in your realm of work.
Starting small and scaling smart is the key to successfully introducing automation into your workflow—so let us now venture forth into how one might begin such a quest:
Identify a Pain Point
Look for processes that are:
A classic example would be HR requests or purchase approvals — anything that causes a sigh when it hits someone's inbox or comes up in a meeting is almost certainly a worthy candidate.
Found a tedious process? Good. But before we employ the "throw-tech-at-it" technique, take a step back and map out what the process should look like.
Sketch it out — on a whiteboard, a flowchart tool, or even on the back of a napkin if you’re really feeling it. Whatever works. The goal here is clarity: define the process before you try to automate it.
You’ve mapped things out and have a clear idea of what your process needs to look like — bringing you ever closer to the process excellence you covet. Now, it’s time to equip yourself with the right kit to succeed in this mission.
As you can imagine, different businesses and processes will require bespoke tools to be adequately automated. There are many options out there, which may feel overwhelming, so instead of going over all of them, I present thee with some of the automation heavy-hitters:
Low-Code Application Platforms (LCAPs)
That’s right! LCAPs, like BizFlow M, are great tools for automation. They’re designed to help teams build workflows, forms, and automations with minimal coding. Think drag-and-drop interfaces, configurable rules, and real-time case tracking. LCAPs are perfect for scaling process improvement without leaning entirely on your dev team.
If you’d like to learn more about LCAPs, check out our article on Low-Code development here!
AI Bots
Some tasks are just... clicky. RPA bots, like those supported in BizFlow M, are built to mimic human actions—copying data, clicking through systems, filling in forms—so you don’t have to. These bots are great for repetitive, rules-based tasks that don’t require human judgment but still burn time.
Machine Learning & Natural Language Processing (NLP)
While not always necessary, some advanced automations use these technologies to interpret documents, classify requests, or even make predictive decisions. These are especially useful for content-heavy processes — like parsing support tickets or scanning intake forms.
The key? Match the tool to the job. You don’t need AI to automate a PTO request — but you might need it to classify thousands of incoming claims or extract data from handwritten forms.
And the good news is that you don’t have to go at it alone. Platforms like BizFlow M offer built-in capabilities that help bridge the gap between traditional BPM and emerging tech — so you can scale automation as your needs evolve.
4. Start Small. Iterate. Expand.
Pick one process. Automate it. Get feedback. Improve it. Then move to the next.
Automation itself is a process that evolves, not a one-time fix — and each iteration will build on the last, continually improving and driving its efficiency returns.
Closing Thoughts: Small Steps, Big Wins
To sum it up in one statement, I’d say that workflow automation isn’t about replacing people who are part of a flow of work—it’s about freeing them.
Freeing them from repetitive tasks. From manual processes. From approvals that get lost into inboxes. It’s about making work feel less like a grind and more like progress.
And as I’ve hopefully been able to illustrate, you don’t need a massive digital transformation strategy to get started. All it takes is one process — mapped, automated, and improved. That’s it! From there, the benefits ripple outward: more time, less friction, better results.
So, whether you’re trying to speed up onboarding, clean up internal operations, or just stop chasing down status updates for the hundredth time — automation can help. Just remember to start small, learn fast, and scale smart.
And when you’re ready to see what that looks like in action, platforms like BizFlow M are here to help make that first win (and the next ones after that) a whole lot easier. Click below to connect with our experts and see how automation can work for you!
