NQF5 Robotics Processing Automation Developer (RPA) – 251201004-PM-04, Model and Develop Robotic Automated Process (RPA) Solutions

SECTION 3: CURRICULUM COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS – SECTION 3B: PRACTICAL MODULE SPECIFICATIONS

SECTION 3B: PRACTICAL SKILLS MODULE SPECIFICATIONS 4. 251201004-PM-04, Model and Develop Robotic Automated Process (RPA) Solutions, NQF Level 5, Credits 14 4.1 Purpose of the Practical Skills Module The focus of the learning in this module is on providing the learner with an opportunity to acquire the skills to code resilient RPA solutions which emulate human actions The learner will be required to: PM-04-PS01 : Identify the process and objects from the process design document (PDD) pertaining to the software RPA solution PM-04-PS02 : Formulate scripted actions and a feedback response based on the analysis PM-04-PS03 : Build the software code or workflows for software robots for each component of RPA solution as per the SDD PM-04-PS04 : Perform data analysis to understand and identify the types of variables, arrays and dictionaries (since RPA bots transform complex, unstructured data sets into organized, automated tasks) PM-04-PS05 : Program basic algorithms and evaluate program correctness PM-04-PS06 : Organize projects for efficiency and easy maintenance PM-04-PS07 : Adhere to industry best practices PM-04-PS08 : Ensure documentation is updated according to required standards 4.2 Guidelines for Practical Skills 4.2.1 PM-04-PS01 : Identify the process and objects from the process design document (PDD) pertaining to the software RPA solution Scope of Practical Skill Given a process design document (PDD), the learner must be able to: PA0101 Assess how different components of the RPA solution interact with each other PA0102 Evaluate the limitations of the tools used in developing the software robot PA0103 Select a suitable tool/product to use e.g., software like Blue Prism, Automation Anywhere, UiPath, etc. PA0104 Analyse a software robot behaviour plan (which was part of the PDD) PA0105 Apply good attention to detail PA0106 Apply problem-solving approaches in different situations PA0107 Access the available knowledge base and access and update information on scenarios, test cases, scripts and tools Applied Knowledge AK0101 Scripting / programming of languages to understand the bot's source code AK0102 The range of standard templates and tools available and how to use them AK0103 Processes and workflows pertaining to the RPA solution: quality PPD must know how to read the diagram given a PPD and must code the solution for it AK0104 Software and other tools employed in the RPA solution AK0105 How to work on various operating systems – every company will have their own OS dependent on the company Internal Assessment Criteria IAC0101 The (PDD) is received, read, analysed and interpreted and the process and objects are extracted from the document 251201004 - Occupational Certificate: Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) Developer Page 67 of 108 IAC0102 The software robot behaviour plan is analysed 4.2.2 PM-04-PS02 : Formulate scripted actions and a feedback response based on the analysis Scope of Practical Skill Given an analysis (components and process) of the PDD, the learner must be able to: PA0201 Decide which steps the software robot is going to take PA0202 Describe how it will log its own behaviour PA0203 Formulate error handling indicating how to deal with business exceptions and system exceptions e.g., missing data, incorrect documents, etc. Applied Knowledge AK0201 Scripting / programming of languages to understand the bot's source code AK0202 The range of standard templates and tools available and how to use them AK0203 Processes and workflows pertaining to the RPA solution: quality PPD must know how to read the diagram given a PPD and must code the solution for it AK0204 Software and other tools employed in the RPA solution AK0205 How to work on various operating systems – every company will have their own OS dependent on the company. Internal Assessment Criteria IAC0201 The automation is designed into reusable workflow components, defining the description, arguments and pre- and post-conditions of the machine IAC0202 The data and steps which must be logged are defined and care is taken that no PII (Personal Identifiable Information) or sensitive data are logged IAC0203 Exceptions and how to handle them are defined, including which actions must be verified by the automation before continuing to the next steps 4.2.3 PM-04-PS03 : Build the software code or workflows for software robots for each component of RPA solution as per the SDD Scope of Practical Skill Given scripted actions and feedback response, the learner must be able to: PA0301 Use an appropriate platform (generally selected by customers) PA0302 Design the processes that will be taken by the Bot (which might be scheduled for later action) PA0303 Apply no-code from the platform or low-code (using formulas) block programming constructs using library of prebuilt methods and leverage them (Integrate various modules of the RPA solution) PA0304 Use programming skills to build a library of prebuilt methods (if not existing) Applied Knowledge AK0301 Scripting / programming of languages to understand the bot's source code AK0302 The range of standard templates and tools available and how to use them AK0303 Processes and workflows pertaining to the RPA solution: quality PPD must know how to read the diagram 251201004 - Occupational Certificate: Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) Developer Page 68 of 108 given a PPD and must code the solution for it AK0304 Software and other tools employed in the RPA solution AK0305 How to work on various operating systems – every company will have their own OS dependent on the company Internal Assessment Criteria IAC0301 The RPA platform IDE (Integrated Development Environment) (such as UiPath Studio) is used to design the workflows IAC0302 Error handling mechanisms are included and while working with a team, the production readiness of the solution is ensured, including error handling, audit level logging and the use of dynamic values, storing in automation management tools (such as UiPath Orchestrator) or dynamic Excel files 4.2.4 PM-04-PS04 : Perform data analysis to understand and identify the types of variables, arrays and dictionaries (since RPA bots transform complex, unstructured data sets into organized, automated tasks) Scope of Practical Skill Given unstructured data, the learner must be able to: PA0401 Demonstrate an understanding of data from various sources e.g., SQL, Oracle, etc. PA0402 Transform data to required outputs (understanding the scope of variables) PA0403 Perform operations on data sets PA0404 Query and collect the data sets (collection types such as lists, dictionaries, arrays), by writing algorithms to manipulate the data using mathematical logic PA0405 Manipulate strings using RegEx (Regular Expressions) Applied Knowledge AK0401 Scripting / programming of languages to understand the bot's source code AK0402 The range of standard templates and tools available and how to use them AK0403 Processes and workflows pertaining to the RPA solution: quality PPD must know how to read the diagram given a PPD and must code the solution for it AK0404 Software and other tools employed in the RPA solution AK0405 How to work on various operating systems – every company will have their own OS dependent on the company Internal Assessment Criteria IAC0401 Data extraction is performed within the workflows on both structured and unstructured data IAC0402 The data are cleaned and prepared for iteration and manipulation IAC0403 The data are prepared using data manipulation calls and formulas IAC0404 Relevant variables and arguments are created, defined and initialized with the correct data type and scope IAC0405 The data are searched and analysed using Regular Expressions 4.2.5 PM-04-PS05 : Program basic algorithms and evaluate program correctness Scope of Practical Skill Given a workflow outline, the learner must be able to: 251201004 - Occupational Certificate: Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) Developer Page 69 of 108 PA0501 Write codes to develop a software robot which can transform complex, unstructured data sets into organized, automated tasks PA0502 Assess if the code is correct (the adherence to the specifications that determine how users can interact with the software and how the software should behave when it is used correctly) PA0503 Configure settings to ensure timely RPA communications PA0504 Check the work is complete and free from errors PA0505 Follow rule-based decision-making processes Applied Knowledge AK0501 Scripting / programming of languages to understand the bot's source code AK0502 The range of standard templates and tools available and how to use them AK0503 Processes and workflows pertaining to the RPA solution: quality PPD must know how to read the diagram given a PPD and must code the solution for it AK0504 Software and other tools employed in the RPA solution AK0505 How to work on various operating systems – every company will have their own OS dependent on the company Internal Assessment Criteria IAC0501 Automation steps are built based on defined tasks, working in data collection, extraction, and manipulation IAC0502 Each individual workflow is unit tested based on test cases and possible inputs/outputs IAC0503 Entire automation project is tested, based on test cases IAC0504 Care is taken that logs are informational and errors/reports are sent to project manager on a timely basis 4.2.6 PM-04-PS06 : Organize projects for efficiency and easy maintenance Scope of Practical Skill Given a workflow design, the learner must be able to: PA0601 Insert comments for each logical paragraph (where it is coming from, reason, what is outcome) for future reference PA0602 Maintain source control in a repository by applying version control protocols Applied Knowledge AK0601 Scripting / programming of languages to understand the bot's source code AK0602 The range of standard templates and tools available and how to use them AK0603 Processes and workflows pertaining to the RPA solution: quality PPD must know how to read the diagram given a PPD and must code the solution for it AK0604 Software and other tools employed in the RPA solution AK0605 How to work on various operating systems – every company will have their own OS dependent on the company Internal Assessment Criteria IAC0601 Care is taken that the code is readable and easy to maintain IAC0602 Comments and annotations are included and actions renamed to be descriptive 251201004 - Occupational Certificate: Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) Developer Page 70 of 108 IAC0603 Reusability of components is ensured by using variables and arguments and to avoid hard-coding values IAC0604 Code is regularly checked into the main branches using version control software 4.2.7 PM-04-PS07 : Adhere to industry best practices Scope of Practical Skill Given a PDD and workflow files, the learner must be able to: PA0701 Apply code quality principles and best practices to maintain readability of the code, such as Secure coding practices naming convention standards and compliance zero usage of junk code Componentization PA0702 Align the code development process to chosen platform (e.g., Agile) methodology principles to coordinate with cross-functional teams, and ensure timely delivery PA0703 Provide data/information in standard formats in adherence to industry best practices PA0704 Ensure compliance with internal control or audit requirements Applied Knowledge AK0701 Scripting / programming of languages to understand the bot's source code AK0702 The range of standard templates and tools available and how to use them AK0703 Processes and workflows pertaining to the RPA solution: quality PPD must know how to read the diagram given a PPD and must code the solution for it AK0704 Software and other tools employed in the RPA solution AK0705 How to work on various operating systems – every company will have their own OS dependent on the company. Internal Assessment Criteria IAC0701 Readability of code, including detailed variable/argument names, activity names and descriptions, is ensured IAC0702 Unused or commented-out code blocks are removed IAC0703 Automation is separated into reusable workflow files that are useful, based on application IAC0704 Dynamic variables/arguments are used, avoiding hard coding, and data cleaned before analysis (such as preparing strings to be compared to each other) IAC0705 Expectations for design, development, testing, corrections, and delivery to production are set IAC0706 Outputs are provided in a PDD defined format IAC0707 Care is taken that all compliance considerations are met, including not logging/exposing sensitive data 4.2.8 PM-04-PS08 : Ensure documentation is updated according to required standards Scope of Practical Skill Given the documentation template, the learner must be able to: PA0801 Document the software code for consumption and feedback from relevant stakeholders PA0802 Include pertinent information such as screenshots, possible exceptions, error handling, etc. Applied Knowledge 251201004 - Occupational Certificate: Robotic Processing Automation (RPA) Developer Page 71 of 108 AK0801 Scripting / programming of languages to understand the bot's source code AK0802 The range of standard templates and tools available and how to use them AK0803 Processes and workflows pertaining to the RPA solution: quality PPD must know how to read the diagram given a PPD and must code the solution for it AK0804 Software and other tools employed in the RPA solution AK0805 How to work on various operating systems – every company will have their own OS dependent on the company Internal Assessment Criteria IAC0801 The development specifications document which defines the workflows used, the exceptions handled, etc., is filled out 4.3 Provider Programme Accreditation Criteria Physical Requirements: Valid licenses software and application, including OS. Internet connection and hardware availability Examples and information specified in the scope statement and all the case studies, scenarios and access to hardware and software implied in the scope statements of the modules. Remote learners: Provider must provide business IT simulation system (e.g., invoice processing). Human Resource Requirements: Lecturer/learner ratio of 1:10 (Maximum) Qualification of lecturer (SME): o NQF 6 industry recognised qualification with 1 year’s experience in the IT industry o RPA vendor certification Assessors and moderators: accredited by the MICT SETA Legal Requirements: Legal (product) licences to use the software for learning and training OHS compliance certificate Ethical clearance (where necessary) 4.4 Exemptions No exemptions, but the module can be achieved in full through a normal RPL process