RPA (Robotic Process Automation)
Software robots that mimic human actions in a UI clicking buttons, copying data between screens. RPA (e.g., UiPath) is used when no API exists. More fragile than API-based automation; breaks when the UI changes.
30–40%
of RPA projects fail in the first year due to UI changes
Gartner 2024
Expert insight
RPA should be treated as a last resort, not a default choice. It's the right call when a system genuinely has no API and no plan to build one (a legacy desktop application, a government portal, an internal tool nobody maintains). But because it simulates clicks and keystrokes against a UI, any redesign of that interface, a moved button, a renamed field, a new popup, breaks the bot with no warning. Before reaching for RPA, always check whether the target system exposes an API or even an unofficial one; an API-based integration is dramatically more stable to maintain long-term.
In a real workflow
A bot logs into a legacy portal with no API and downloads reports every morning.
Common mistakes
- Using RPA when an API exists.
- Not planning for the portal’s interface changing.
Complexity level
Requires some familiarity with automation concepts.
Related terms
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of rules that allow two software applications to communicate. Most automat…
Business process automation (BPA)
The use of technology to perform recurring business tasks with minimal human inp…
Integration
A connection between two tools that allows data to flow between them. Can be nat…
Quick facts
30–40%
of RPA projects fail in the first year due to UI changes
Gartner 2024
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More in Core concepts
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Go deeper
Guides that cover RPA
What Is RPA (Robotic Process Automation), Explained Simply
A direct explanation of RPA, how it differs from workflow automation like n8n, and a simple way to decide which one a given process actually needs.
Droven.io RPA and Business Automation: An Honest 2026 Review
Droven.io positions itself as an RPA and business automation platform for companies wanting to automate without code. This review examines its robotic process automation capabilities, real-world performance, total cost of ownership, and how it compares to full-service alternatives.
Business Process Automation: The Complete Guide for 2026
Business process automation is not about replacing people. It is about removing the work that stops them doing what they are actually paid to do. Here is the full framework.