Automatisierung von Reporting-Prozessen mittels Robotic Process Automation: Use Cases und ein Framework zum Einsatz von UiPath

Abstract

Increasing digitalisation in the financial sector is leading to a growing need for efficient, automated processes for processing large volumes of data. Robotic Process Automation has emerged as a reliable technology for efficiently automating manual, rule-based activities. Despite numerous practical applications, there is still a lack of standardised process models in the scientific literature that support citizen developers in particular - i.e. specialist users without in-depth programming knowledge - in the implementation of RPA projects in the reporting area. At the same time, there are only a few empirically documented case studies that comprehensibly describe the actual implementation and the associated challenges. This thesis addresses this research gap by developing a practice-orientated framework for the automation of reporting processes with UiPath on the basis of specific use cases. The thesis focuses on the development and exemplary application of a framework for the automation of typical reporting activities in controlling. The process selection and technical implementation were carried out in the operational context of STIWA Holding GmbH. A total of four use cases were automated and systematically documented. The structure of the framework is based on four main phases of process automation: navigation to the required report, parameterisation and export of the report, preparation of the data and transmission of the generated report. The methodology is based on a combination of an explorative study, iterative bot development with UiPath and an evaluation of the use cases based on previously defined systemic, technical and economic criteria. A particular focus was placed on typical challenges in dealing with user interfaces, unstructured data formats and the reusability of components. The findings indicate that the implementation of the developed framework resulted in notable efficiency improvements in the processes under review. Specifically, the standardisation of repetitive tasks, the systematic structuring of variables, and the consistent reuse of modular elements contributed to a substantial reduction in manual workload. The evaluation of the use cases makes it clear that, in addition to technical requirements, the data quality and user guidance of the underlying systems in particular play a key role in successful automation. Furthermore, it was shown that citizen developers are able to implement automation in reporting independently with the support of a structured framework. The work thus makes a practical contribution to the democratisation of automation technologies in controlling and to the methodological foundation of RPA projects in the corporate context.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Andre Gramlich (Supervisor)