The potential of automation is undeniable. From freeing up employee capacity to enhancing customer experience and improving data accuracy, the benefits are clear. But if you’ve ever seen a well-intentioned automation project stall, or worse, get abandoned, you’ll know the real culprit isn’t the tech. It’s the delivery.
At Avec, we’ve supported over 300 automation solutions across industries, and the same truth comes up again and again: delivery determines success. Here are five proven elements that make all the difference.
1. Strong project governance
Governance is often overlooked, but it’s what separates scalable automation from short-lived experiments. Successful projects are built on clearly defined roles, engaged executive sponsors, and robust performance tracking. This structure keeps teams aligned, resources flowing, and risks managed throughout the project lifecycle.
As Ryan Stuchbery, General Manager of Microsoft Automation at Avec, puts it “Success hinges on governance and visibility across the project lifecycle. You can’t treat technology delivery in isolation; it’s part of a broader organisational change.” That visibility, through metrics, reporting, and active oversight, is what ensures your automation delivers value long after go-live.
2. Effective change management
No automation succeeds without people on board. Even the most technical solution will struggle if users don’t understand or trust it. That’s where change management plays a vital role, through tailored training, proactive communication and, crucially, sustained engagement.
To go beyond surface level adoption, organisations need to enlist champions within their teams. These influences can help create peer support, break down resistance, and build lasting buy-in. Natasha Page, General Manager at Avec says, “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.”
3. Agile oriented, well-planned delivery
When automation delivery is rigid, it breaks under the pressure of change. Agile delivery, on the other hand, embraces complexity. It enables teams to iterate quickly, adapt based on real-time feedback, and stay in lockstep with evolving business needs.
Poorly delivered automation is one of the biggest contributors to frustration and eventual system abandonment. But with agile delivery, teams can make smaller, faster decisions that reduce rework and build trust. The key is in embedding a culture of continuous testing, regular reviews, and flexibility from day one.
4. Procurement and implementation alignment
Procurement processes are often built for predictability, while automation projects require adaptability. The clash between these two can stall momentum. Bridging the gap starts with building frameworks that support both agility and accountability.
As Carl Raath, Director of Automation Practice at Avec, explains: “Organisations often follow a waterfall procurement process but require agile execution. To succeed, both sides need a shared understanding of the goals and a framework that balances flexibility with accountability.”
That might look like a hybrid contracting model, one that sets clear minimum viable scopes and allows for iterative delivery without blowing the budget or derailing timelines.
5. Continuous improvement & feedback loops
Automation isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing journey. Embedding continuous improvement mechanisms is the only way to ensure your automation remains relevant and high performing over time. This means building real-time monitoring into your system, encouraging user feedback, and setting regular review cycles. Ryan states that “Real-time monitoring tools and stakeholder engagement ensure automated systems evolve with organisational needs. Continuous feedback is essential for addressing inefficiencies and driving long-term success – even during funding cycles or leadership changes.”
The organisations that treat automation as a living system, over a finished product, are the ones that gain the greatest returns.
So, where do we come in?
It’s not the automation tool that will make or break your success; it’s the delivery ecosystem around it. By focusing on governance, change, agile delivery, procurement alignment, and ongoing improvement, you’re not just launching a project, you’re setting your business up for lasting impact. Reach out to the Avec team today to learn how we can help you achieve your automation goals.
