HUD reported that 14 bots were saving some 13,600 labor hours annually, but auditors found that only seven had actually been used in production. Image: 3rdtimeluckystudio/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThree years into a HUD initiative to use robotic process automation, or RPA, the effort is “not efficient or effective” and has “provided minimal value,” an inspector general audit has said in one of the first assessments of agency use of that technology used to emulate human actions on a computer.
RPA software programs, referred to as “bots,” can complete repetitive tasks quickly and consistently. Federal agencies for years have looked to that technology for efficiency gains, including as a means of shifting federal employees from lower-value to higher-value work.
But the report said that HUD did not establish a clear vision for its program or set metrics to measure its success, did not maintain adequate oversight that funds were used efficiently, and lacked needed IT controls over the security of its RPA system.
It said that one bot that HUD developed was initially expected to save 2,100 labor hours annually, effectively accomplishing the work of a full-time employee. However, the bot ultimately saved only 24 hours annually, three days’ worth.
One that cost nearly $500,000 to develop was projected to save only 100 hours annually and another that cost more than $100,000 to save a projected 80 hour annually were deemed to be impractical and never put in production. At least nine in various development stages were not completed, and at least two reported as in production were inoperable and never used, it said.
Overall, while HUD had reported that 14 bots were saving some 13,600 labor hours annually, auditors found that only seven had actually been used in production, with labor savings of only just above 1,000 hours.
HUD management said it is “reviewing the operations and future of this program.”
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