What do you do if your professionals in Process Automation need guidance?

In today's world our main focus should be on learning. We can't stay with the limited learning. We should update based on the new learning.

Foster a culture of peer learning to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among team members. Implement extensive training programs that develop technical skills and ensure professionals are abreast of current trends and technologies. Make available expert consultation services for specialized advice and assistance in problem-solving.

Encourage professionals to engage in peer learning networks within the organization or industry forums. These platforms provide opportunities for individuals to exchange ideas, share experiences and learn from each other's successes and failures.

Sharing the knowledge creates better world for all, and I think if everyone tries to extend his/her study and share the finding results with others, finally will give feedback from the world.

First, they can seek advice from colleagues, including peers, experienced seniors, and knowledgeable juniors within the company. Reaching out to industry experts outside the company can also provide valuable insights. Additionally, leveraging the vast amount of information available online, such as technical notes and other reliable sources, can help professionals find precise answers. While online search engines like Google can be useful, careful filtering is necessary to ensure the most relevant and accurate data is found. Finally, attending exhibitions and seminars offers opportunities to stay current with the latest advancements in process automation and gain new perspectives through learning and networking.

The technology is changing rapidly and it is very important for all leaders to ensure the team is up to date with technological advancements. Keeping a close eye on the changes and planning/ scheduling of regular training and mentoring is essential.

One thing I have found very useful in the field of process automation is retraining of automation engineers on some of the core courses in process automation. The retraining have a way of ingraining the concept better in us because of the various challenges we have faced in the past on those concepts.

As technology always develops, the team needs to attend or be trained at least once a year. Yes it's costly, but it's worth it. Trouble shooting time will decrease and it will increase the productivity and production results.

Provide them with the support and resources they need to excel. 1. Mentorship and Peer Learning: Pair less experienced professionals with seasoned mentors in the automation domain. Promote a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration, where team members can learn from each other’s experiences and insights. 2. Access to Resources and Tools: Ensure your team has access to the necessary tools, software, and resources to experiment with and implement new automation solutions. Includes providing platforms for testing and prototyping. 3. Clear Objectives and Expectations: Set clear goals and expectations for automation projects, including timelines, outcomes, and benchmarks for success.

If there is one thing that's growing at the highest pace, that's technology! 1. Learning from peers by spending some collaborative time. Most powerful way as everyone has their own perspective and strengths to learn from. 2. Company sponsored Training & development programs - to help talent be competitive. 3. R&D - spend time on researching with latest advancements by self learning and exploring from experts. This skill is a great booster.

A lot of time the guidance needed by automation experts is for knowing the process pain-points, redundancies, non-value add steps, than the automation tools and technology itself. Hence I recommend that the automation experts consult with process SMEs as well as the intended end users of the automation. This interaction many times resolves bottlenecks in development of automation. I have also recommended in my team a basic training on design thinking in addition to training on automation tools and technology. If done well, design thinking allows to build solutions that are user centric, easy to adopt, and scalable. Hence consulting with a Design Thinking expert very early in the journey is of great benefit.

I think too many people try to DIY process automation. It seems so simple in today's no-code low-code era. But the truth is, DIYing it can take a lot longer and lead to much frustration. In addition, and expert will often know how to build automations that are easier to maintain and will of course take the automations to a higher level based on their experience in the field.

Providing access to expert consultation can be invaluable for professionals facing complex challenges. Establish channels for professionals to seek advice from experienced practitioners within or outside the organization. Offer access to experienced professionals or consultants who can provide guidance and insights on complex challenges. This could be in the form of one-on-one consultations or group discussions. Expert consultation promotes knowledge transfer and accelerates skill development among team members. It helps in problem-solving, decision-making, and gaining new perspectives.

First we need to understand the problem where the professional is facing the issue. Then we need to check if we have the expertise within the company and if it is available then things can be solved easily. If it is not available within the teams then we need to arrange a session with expert to address the issue.

The process operation and possible automationto map with user's need. The consultant with knowing both sides can do better. The choice of right consultant is prime and critical

Implementing a mentorship program in your process automation team fosters valuable knowledge transfer. Pairing less experienced members with seasoned veterans accelerates learning and builds confidence. Mentors offer guidance on industry nuances, career advice, and organizational navigation. This one-on-one attention enhances professional growth and contributes to the team's overall success.

Knowledge and skills, while attainable by providing source of knowledge and hands on experience, are not the only things needed in developing process automation team members. Mentors could give mentees more insights and personal best practices in building skills, motivation and character. This will give mentees: 1. Ability to cope with real challenges on field, knowing that solution is workable 2. Rapid adoption of the mentor's working traits which were slowly achieved 3. Possibility to bring the full potential in generating new innovations, which are achievable personally or achievable collectively in a team, provided a good character is developed in the mentee.

Mentorship programs play a crucial role in the professional growth of individuals. Pairing professionals with experienced mentors can provide guidance, support, and career development opportunities. Establish mentorship programs where less experienced professionals can be paired with more experienced mentors who can provide guidance, advice, and support in their professional development. Mentors can offer insights, share experiences, and help mentees navigate their career paths. Mentorship programs foster a culture of learning, empower individuals to reach their full potential, and contribute to the overall success of the team.

When you're teaching and training someone, you learn how you can show the things to another person understand what you're trying to explain. Is so important to consider changing the people in a team because when you need to change the way to say thins to another group, you can learn how the people are thinking and your mind grows up!

I’m a prime example of the success of a solid, committed mentorship program. My company has a program called iLDP, or Leadership development program. Each year a select group of tested professionals are invited to participate in a program where each candidate is assigned a mentor. Throughout program, monthly sessions were scheduled. Group presentations and guest speakers were great too. The real prize was the exposure we all gained from working with our senior mentors. My mentor, Bert, has been a catalyst for my career. But a mentorship program isn’t about having a good mentor. The mentee should also be engaged to gain the full benefit. It’s truly an ebb and flow between mentor and mentee. Ideally, they should motivate each other equally.

Encouraging self-directed learning empowers professionals to take ownership of their development. Provide resources such as online courses, books, and learning platforms to support self-paced learning. Encourage individuals to set learning goals, explore new technologies, and experiment with innovative solutions. Self-directed learning cultivates a growth mindset, enhances problem-solving skills, and promotes continuous improvement. It helps professionals in Process Automation to enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest trends.

In self-directed learning, we should not rush into learning new skills; instead, we should concentrate on mastering one at a time before moving on to the next. We should keep up with industry developments because it's evident that new products are being released into the market on a daily basis. Numerous materials are accessible for self-learning, including books, YouTube, paid courses, and e-books. Self-directed learning is a hobby that improves discipline and problem-solving abilities.

The road to mastering a skill is doing it. Just as you can't learn how to drive from the back seat, without taking the wheel. The trick is to have a sandbox to experiment in, seeing immediate results, and having resources to deepen theoretical knowledge at hand.

There are some automation system architecture that are well tested for its function, validated for it performance and thoroughly documented, that available on website. This could be used as an example of similar system. Starting from which, it could be expanded or reduced in size/function when developing a customized application. Pointing the process automation professionals to the right source of working automation architectures will be valuable chance to upgrade and boost their personal skills.

Self-directed learning involves taking the initiative to acquire knowledge and skills independently. Start by identifying your learning objectives and areas of interest within your interested area. Utilize online resources like tutorials, courses, and forums to gather information and learn new concepts. Practice hands-on by experimenting with automation tools and software. Reflect on your progress and challenges, adjusting your learning approach accordingly. Engage with communities and professionals in the field to exchange ideas and seek guidance. Set achievable goals and track your progress to stay motivated.

Cultivating a feedback culture within the team is essential for continuous improvement and professional growth. Encouraging open communication, constructive feedback, and peer reviews can help professionals identify areas for development, leverage strengths, and enhance performance. Foster a culture of open and constructive feedback where team members feel comfortable giving and receiving feedback. Encourage regular feedback sessions, performance reviews, and retrospectives to identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes. Use feedback to drive continuous improvement and professional development. Feedback should be timely, specific, and actionable to drive meaningful progress.

I have seen this many times done wrong, or more, not sufficient enough. So, absolutely, fostering a culture of constructive feedback is 100% essential.

Sugiro 3 passos para encorajar e aprimorar a capacidade do time neste caso: 1. Uma hora por semana na operação, atuando e conversando com equipes 2. Escolher um mini problema, para tratá-lo como mini projeto 3. Implementar a solução teorica APENAS com uma orientação do lider e se tudo correr bem, permitir que seja de fato implantado pelo mentorado, sob sua gestão O empoderamento passa pelas etapas de capacitação, eliminação de medo e experiência prática. Se o seu colaborador puder passar por isso com um líder que ele confia, o tempo para gerar resultado será muito mais breve do que por metodos mais convencionais

Consider establishing a knowledge base or wiki for documenting learnings, best practices, and solutions. Encourage participation in industry events to stay updated and network. Create a supportive, inclusive work environment valuing diversity, promoting creativity, and fostering innovation. Offer opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, real-world projects, and industry event involvement to enrich learning. Regularly evaluate and adapt initiatives to meet evolving needs for sustained team growth and success.

One thing need to understand here, the need and level of automation depends upon users skills, level of process complexity and understanding of both in right sense.

“A verdade está lá fora” era o principal lema do seriado “X Files”. Para a automação de processos vale o mesmo. Todos os itens anteriores são excelentes e necessários para a formação teórica do profissional de automação processos, entretanto, somente com a experiência de participar de atividades em campo, dentro de fábricas, como comissionamento, testes de IO, testes com água e testes de produção que o profissional de automação de processos vai compreender a sua real função e importância dentro de um projeto. Vai ser em campo que todo seu desenvolvimento será posto a prova e aí seus erros aparecerão e correções sob pressão serão necessárias. Então, não só o sistema de automação é posto em “check”, mas a pessoa do profissional .

Prompt engineering training is indeed key for enhancing problem-solving capabilities, fostering innovation, and ensuring data privacy and security. It not only empowers individuals with the tools needed for effective AI in action but also builds a foundation for mentorship and leadership in technology-driven environments. This preparation is critical for navigating the complexities of the digital age while protecting sensitive information and maintaining a competitive edge.