News
As federal agencies face mounting pressure to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency, the U.S. Navy is setting a powerful example of how technology can help drive these objectives. Through an innovative use of robotic process automation (RPA), the Navy is transforming how it operates, demonstrating a model for other agencies to follow in optimizing their processes without sacrificing the quality of their missions.
The Navy’s strategy emphasizes leveraging technology to automate repetitive tasks that often hinder productivity and divert resources from core responsibilities. At Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), this approach is enhancing workflows and enabling personnel to focus more effectively on mission-critical tasks.
The key innovation driving this approach is what we call “unattended robotic process automation”. Unlike traditional automation that requires human intervention and ties up workstations, unattended RPA operates independently on dedicated virtual machines. This allows these digital workers to function continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without consuming resources that personnel need for their primary responsibilities.
The distinction is critical. While attended automation requires a human to initiate processes and surrender their workstation during execution, unattended automation runs in the background, freeing personnel to focus on complex, mission-critical work that demands human judgment and expertise.
From Mundane to Mission-Critical
What kinds of tasks are being automated? Primarily those that are repetitive, rule-based, and time-consuming. These are exactly the types of work that often frustrate skilled professionals and prevent them from applying their expertise where it matters most.
Consider a simple example: in many organizations, personnel spend countless hours manually processing forms, extracting data from attachments, or performing routine system audits. With unattended RPA, these tasks are assigned to digital workers that perform them with perfect consistency and accuracy, never taking breaks or vacation days.
One particularly powerful application involves enterprise software licenses. Rather than purchasing thousands of expensive licenses for specialized software that might only be used occasionally by personnel, a single “bot” with appropriate permissions can perform these functions for the entire organization. The cost savings from license reduction alone can be substantial, potentially reaching millions of dollars annually for large agencies.
The Human Impact
Perhaps the most significant benefit of this automation strategy has been its impact on personnel. Rather than replacing jobs, it eliminates the mundane, repetitive elements of those jobs. This allows skilled professionals to shift their focus to work that truly requires their expertise—analyzing results, making complex decisions, and developing innovative solutions to emerging challenges.
The result is not just increased efficiency but improved morale. When freed from mind-numbing administrative tasks, personnel report greater job satisfaction and engagement. They can apply their training and experience to meaningful work rather than burning valuable time on routine processes that could be handled by automation.
This human-centered approach to efficiency creates a virtuous cycle. As personnel spend more time on high-value work, the organization benefits from increased innovation and problem-solving capacity. Teams become more agile and responsive, able to address emerging challenges rather than being bogged down in administrative backlogs.
We’ve observed that departments implementing unattended automation often see unexpected benefits beyond the initial efficiency targets. Personnel who previously managed routine processes can develop new skills, including the ability to identify additional automation opportunities and help refine existing solutions. The technology becomes a catalyst for continuous improvement rather than a one-time intervention.
A Model for Federal Efficiency
As agencies across the federal government seek to meet efficiency mandates, the Navy’s approach to automation offers valuable lessons that could inform broader implementation strategies.
The most successful implementations focus on automating specific processes rather than eliminating entire roles. This targeted approach allows agencies to achieve significant efficiency gains while retaining and better utilizing skilled personnel. The work itself becomes more streamlined while preserving the human expertise necessary for complex decision-making.
Looking beyond simple labor hour calculations reveals additional sources of value. While reallocating personnel time generates obvious benefits, substantial savings also come from optimizing resource utilization. The reduction in software licensing costs alone can justify the investment in automation technology, creating a compelling financial case beyond productivity improvements.
Perhaps most importantly, automation works best when it empowers rather than replaces. When positioned as a tool that helps personnel focus on higher-value work, automation typically meets with less resistance and delivers better organizational outcomes. The technology becomes an ally rather than a threat, enhancing human capabilities instead of diminishing them.
That’s not just good for budgets. It’s good for mission success.
Travis Mack is the CEO and Chairman of Saalex Corporation, which supports the development and implementation of robotic process automation solutions for government agencies.
