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RPA and Testing Future

Robotic Process Automation and The Testing future

Robotic Process Automation and The Testing future

Length: 3 Min

As a Testing professional many times we have an uncertainty whether to grow up our career in Manual testing or Automation testing.

As a Project stakeholder, we either opt for Manual testing or Automation testing based on accomplished analysis and feasibility study.

Also, it happens we have been working in Manual testing for quite a longer period of time and bit reluctant to the activities or work we are doing. So, don’t want to get into much technical.

We even hear the conversations like,

Hey, I want to become an Automation tester, but it’s been years and I have not written a single line of code. What should I do now?

I don’t like programming but I want to switch my career from Manual Testing.

So, is it possible to enhance your skill set without learning any programming knowledge (Java, C, C++, JavaScript, VB scripts etc.)?

Absolutely yes, I think there is no wonderful moment after hearing this.

Yes, that is possible! No need to bother about programming knowledge, but you should have strong domain and process knowledge.

By means of this, I am going to introduce my new blog “Robotic Process Automation and The Testing future“.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) would be the next generation of Testing.

Now a day, RPA is mostly use to automate the various business processes in the ERP, SAP and BPO applications to carry out back office and front office work.

Example: New Bank Account creation, various data entry tasks etc.



So, what is RPA (Robotic Process Automation)?

From its name we can guess, it is an “Automation of processes done through Robots or bots”.

Let’s understand by breaking each word of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?

Robotic: Robotic means, robot is going to mimic the each user action, i.e. Robot is going to perform the task in a same way as human do. Robot is not a physical entity but the software robots, also called as “Bots” in software industry.

Process: Process is a sequence of meaningful steps to carry out particular task.  
Example: Creating new Bank Account.

Automation: Automating the process defined, no human intervention required.

How RPA works?

In RPA, first step is to teach a Robot, how to carry out particular task. It is as simple as teaching a new team member or student. However, to do that you should have strong domain and the process knowledge.

How to teach Robot?

There are few RPA software’s (Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism etc.) available in the market, which uses flow chart to define a flow of your business process. In Future it can be a normal English language.

Please refer below flowchart of “Saving Account Creation Process”.

To create a process, which Robot is going to perform, you just need to drag and drop controls on the screen, arrange in sequence.
Controls could be decision control, action etc.

And your final process could be look like as below:



RPA Process

Now, robot has learned!

What to do next?

You just need to assign process created above, to different resources (Virtual workstations) like we assign task to particular individual.

Process execution status, output can be monitored through the Dashboard.

You can assign your task to hundreds of virtual resources and no need to have any physical terminal, PC or laptop.

RPA Benefits:

  1. Code-less: No need to memorize any syntax. 
  2. Simplicity: Easy to create a process through simple drag and drop.
  3. Scalability: It can be achieved by assigning work to multiple workstations.
  4. Cost saving:  Huge reduction in cost as very minimal workforce is required.
  5. Accuracy: As the tasks are performed by the bots.
  6. Productivity: As it is robotic, productivity will be very high.
  7. Flexibility: Test process is not depend on type of software under test, whether it is web based, desktop application or mobile application.

That’s how, I could see RPA in testing future, let it can be a any type of the testing.

To know more about opportunities created for Manual tester, Automation tester or even for developers in RPA.

To know about impact of RPA and Are there are any threats to Manual, Automation tester?

Stay tuned!!

Please share, If you like!!!!!!!!
You can post your thought in comments section.

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Click here to test your RPA understanding now. 


This Post Has 29 Comments

  1. Today I have read your Robotic Process Automation and The Testing future article it is simply excellent knowledgeable one I really impressed your way of explanation about RPA Process way of working steps thanks for your detail meaningful explanation its really worth for my carrier lot of thanks.,

  2. Racky

    Hi Swapnil,

    I was searching test machenism to test RPA processes as a QA and found this blog. Realy nice and simple.

    As you mentioned that Business Processes are being automated now a days.

    what abount Functional and/or Regrssion testing of RPA Business processes, they can be automated too or it is manual testing?

    1. Swapnil Bhukan

      Hi Racky, Yes, even the RPA Business process testing can be automated. Tool selection could be based on feasibility study.

  3. Yethi ycs

    Robotic automation with AI will be the only market in 2030 as well, It’s that powerfull and in pace with the changing world. Check http://yethi.co.in/ for more info.

  4. Hi Swapnil,

    impressive post. Really Simple & easy to understand..

    Thanks for sharing valuable information

  5. Astha Mahajan

    Is any Programming Language is required for RPA Automation?

      1. Astha

        Is Software tester eligible to do RPA. Is RPA related (or part of) to software testing?

        1. Swapnil Bhukan

          Yes, tester can work on RPA, Mostly it is use to automate business processes for now, but some organizations are using RPA into testing.

  6. Megha

    Hi, I am a Manual Tester from last 3 years and trying to switch to automation but due to no Language knowledge I am unable to. I have worked in Insurance and POS Payment domain. I am still earning like freshers so can you suggest which RPA tool should I learn to get great hike and which is having more demand now and in future also.

  7. Dilip Swami

    Hi ,
    I am having 2 years experience in Manual Testing so now I want to move for RPA developer.
    In RPA future is there for Tester??
    Can you suggest me the best tool so that I can learn.
    UI path is paid one so suggest me the free tool.

  8. Alaa Omran

    Thanks a lot it’s really a nice artical provide a very useful info in simple way 🙂

  9. KBS

    which is tool best career scope in future

    1. Swapnil Bhukan

      Hi KBS,

      It all depends on market demand, currently UiPath, BluePrism, Automation anywhere are the mostly we heard about. And there are few more apart from this.

      Thanks,
      Swapnil

  10. sabitha

    Hi Swapnil,

    Which RPA tool is better to learn? Is it ui Path or Blue Prism?

    1. Swapnil Bhukan

      Hi Sabita,

      Both tools are leadering the RPA market, RPA tools are works more or less in same way. UIPath is freely available and you can join their online academy to learn and get certified. Whereas BluePrism is not freely available.

      Thanks,
      Swapnil

  11. Siva Lingala

    Hello Swapnil,

    This is Siva lingala having 4 years of exp in Software mobile Apps Testing.
    I just want to learn RPA is this was a good time to step out to learn RPA.

    1. Swapnil Bhukan

      Hi Siva,
      Anytime you can start learning RPA. As it doesn’t require you to be a specialized to any particular language or skill.

  12. Shailesh

    Really nice article. Simple and easy to understand. Are you planning any more article on RPA which will help for more understanding let me know leaving email id .

    1. Swapnil Bhukan

      Thanks Shailesh… Yes in near future you can expect few more articles around RPA..Yes, you can subscribe from Subscribe page.

  13. Bhavya

    Hi,

    Nice article. I am test engineer with 6 yrs of exp and am planning to shift to RPA development. Can you please share your insights whether its possible to do the shift after 6 yrs of exp?

    1. Swapnil Bhukan

      Hi Bhavya,

      Thanks!
      To answer your question “whether its possible to do the shift after 6 yrs of exp?”, Yes it is possible to shift to
      RPA developer role, but at the same time you need to analyse current job market for RPA developer.
      As there are different RPA tools available in the matrket, many companies are having tool specific requirement.

      However, if you want start learning RPA, Uipath provides free software that too with good videos available on You Tube.
      Below is the link to download Uipath edition.
      https://www.uipath.com/community-edition-download?hsCtaTracking=86b5ad91-e59c-41c8-85a2-5b895dc22cc7%7C409afec2-caaa-498f-aadb-5bfa6f13f22e

      Note:You need to have PC/Laptop with at least 4 GB RAM to get RPA software work correctly.

      Hope this information will help you!

      Thanks,
      Swapnil

      1. Kranthi

        RPA for testing or developement

        1. Swapnil Bhukan

          Hi Kranthi,

          RPA developer term used for one who creates Robotic Process Automation for business process (In laymen terms creating flowcharts and implementation of RPA).

          It is used for automation of Business process and for automation testing as well.

          Hope I have cleared your doubt!

          Thanks,
          Swapnil

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Swapnil Bhukan

I am an IT Professional, who is expert in Software Testing. Passionate about Automation Testing, persuade ample amount of experience in Investment Banking and E-commerce domain. If you love to know about discussions going on in IT sector, you will feel right at home here. From my posts you will get to know about my point of view and conclusion about the topics I posts.