# Robotic Process Automation -- A Systematic Literature Review and Assessment Framework

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11951 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2012.11951/

## Key facts

- Cited by 9 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 22 Dec 2020.

## Built on by (most cited first, 9 of 9)

- [WorkflowLLM: Enhancing Workflow Orchestration Capability of Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.05451/) (2024)
- [ProAgent: From Robotic Process Automation to Agentic Process Automation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2311.10751/) (2023)
- [Automating the Enterprise with Foundation Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.03710/) (2024)
- [MAO: A Framework for Process Model Generation with Multi-Agent Orchestration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.01916/) (2024)
- [GUIDE: Graphical User Interface Data for Execution](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.16048/) (2024)
- [Plover: Steering GUI Agents through Plan-Centric Interaction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.15193/) (2026)
- [LawFlow: Collecting and Simulating Lawyers' Thought Processes on Business Formation Case Studies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.18942/) (2025)
- [E-Mail Assistant -- Automation of E-Mail Handling and Management using Robotic Process Automation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.05882/) (2022)
- [Intelligent methods for business rule processing: State-of-the-art](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2311.11775/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is the automation of rule-based routine processes to increase efficiency and to reduce costs. Due to the utmost importance of process automation in industry, RPA attracts increasing attention in the scientific field as well. This paper presents the state-of-the-art in the RPA field by means of a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). In this SLR, 63 publications are identified, categorised, and analysed along well-defined research questions. From the SLR findings, moreover, a framework for systematically analysing, assessing, and comparing existing as well as upcoming RPA works is derived. The discovered thematic clusters advise further investigations in order to develop an even more detailed structural research approach for RPA.