Want to Save Money, Ship Faster, and Improve Security? Automate IT Processes, Not Just Tasks

The Cost of missing automated processes

Many platform engineers focus on automating individual tasks that run from their local machines. While these scripts are helpful, the real value comes when automation is embedded into a structured process. The comic below illustrates a common scenario in many IT departments where an automated process is missing:

For many developers and platform engineers, this is an all-too-familiar day. These interruptions are costly—not just in time, but in focus. Constant context switching slows development, delays progress, and frustrates everyone involved. Developers waste time waiting for what they need, while platform engineers get stuck handling repetitive requests instead of improving the system.

The Problem: Scripting Tasks Doesn’t Solve the Root Issue

A typical reaction from platform engineers is to write a script that helps automate these tasks. While this reduces some manual effort, it doesn’t eliminate the costly back-and-forth between developers and platform teams. The interruptions continue, context switching remains, and the fundamental inefficiencies persist.

Now, imagine taking that script and embedding it into a fully automated process that considers the entire developer experience.

The Solution: Automate the Process, Not Just the Task

We can simplify it like this:

By providing a self-service interface, developers can request common services without interrupting anyone. If necessary, approval steps can be added, and validation checks can ensure input accuracy. By automating the entire process, we eliminate all unnecessary communication between teams.

In the early stages, simplicity is key. For instance, you might start with a GitHub Actions pipeline that developers can trigger on demand, serving as a straightforward self-service interface. As your team gains experience and your processes mature, you can explore more advanced interface options to further streamline operations.

Even if the initial process isn’t perfect, having a process in place is always better than having none at all—it creates a foundation that you can continuously improve.

The benefits extend beyond just saving time:

• ✅ Clear traceability – Every request and approval is logged.

• ✅ Improved security – Compliance can be built into the process itself.

• ✅ Defined business processes – Security teams and stakeholders can refine automation rather than fight ad-hoc scripts.

If security is unhappy with how something is automated? No problem—the process can be improved. If the user experience is lacking? Refine the workflow. This is where the real value of automation begins to take effect.

Automation as a Business Value Driver

One of the biggest challenges platform engineers face is communicating the value of their work to stakeholders. Automating IT processes makes this easier by providing clear, measurable benefits.

Without a structured, automated workflow, each request costs nearly 10,000 NOK in lost productivity. Multiply that by an estimated 500 requests per year, and the total yearly cost approaches 5 million NOK—just for a single process!

Let’s break down the numbers using the app registration process as an example:

Cost Breakdown for One App Registration Request

1️⃣ Developer Time

• Total Process Time: 5 hours

• Hourly Rate: 1500 NOK/hour

• Total Cost: 5 hours * 1500 NOK = 7,500 NOK

2️⃣ Interruption Costs (Context Switching & Actual Work)

• Tech Lead: 23 minutes ≈ 0.38 hours

• Platform Engineer One: 23 minutes ≈ 0.38 hours

• Platform Engineer Two: 23 minutes (interruptions) + 30 minutes (actual work) ≈ 0.88 hours

Total Interruption Time:
0.38 + 0.38 + 0.88 = 1.64 hours

• Total Cost: 1.64 hours * 1500 NOK = 2,460 NOK

3️⃣ Total Cost for One Request

• Total Cost: 7,500 NOK + 2,460 NOK = 9,960 NOK

---

Yearly Cost Impact

• Number of App Registrations per Year: 500

• Total Yearly Cost:
  500 * 9,960 NOK = 4,980,000 NOK

---

Take a moment to consider this:
Each app registration request costs nearly 10,000 NOK. Multiply that by 500 requests a year, and you're facing almost 5 million NOK in annual expenses. This stark figure shows how even minor inefficiencies—like repeated context switching and manual interventions—will result in massive, unnecessary expenses. Streamlining these processes through automation isn’t just about saving time; it’s about saving a substantial amount of money.

The Hidden Benefit: Platform Engineers Win Too

Beyond the cost savings, platform engineers benefit directly:
✅ Less context switching
✅ Fewer repetitive tasks
✅ More time to focus on higher-impact automation

By shifting from task automation to process automation, organizations can save money, improve security, and accelerate development—all while making life easier for everyone involved.

The Best Part? The Cost Can Be Reduced to Practically Zero

By investing in process automation, this 5 million NOK cost can be reduced to nearly zero. The solution isn’t just about automation—it’s about building scalable, efficient processes that eliminate waste at its core.