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Looking for RPA Interview Questions and Answers?
Robotic Process Automation or RPA has become one of the most in-demand technologies of today.
In fact, according to a report by Grand View Research, the RPA industry is going to experience exponential growth from $358 million in 2017 to $3.11 billion in 2025.
This growth has given rise to many students and young professionals striving to make a career in the field of RPA.
A quick search on LinkedIn of the keyword “robotic process automation” enlists 2,158 open job positions!
Needless to say, most people are now buckling up and preparing themselves to make a robust career in robotics automation and looking for answers to the top RPA interview questions.
And so, in this post, we have combined the most frequently asked robotics interview questions and their answers.
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Top Most Common RPA Interview Questions & Answers
1. What is RPA?
RPA is the acronym of Robotics Process Automation. It is used by an organization to automate its tasks that usually an employee takes care of.
Such tasks are carried out by simulated robots that copy human actions and perform them without any human intervention.
Read more about: What is Robot Process Automation?
It helps in two ways:
- Reduces the cost of human resources
- Decreases human-error
2. What are the characteristics of RPA?
The characteristics of RPA are:
- User-friendliness
RPA software are easy to use and comprehensible. The best part is that there is no specific skillset required to operate the software.
- Increased efficiency
Since there are no humans involved in RPA, there are barely any chances of human error. As long as the input data is correct, the process will also remain error-free.
- Non-disruptive
It is very easy to deploy tasks to an automated robot and perform process transformation.
- Coding-free
There is no requirement for employees who understand codes and programming.
3. What are the steps of Robotic Process Automation or RPA?
One essential interview questions for RPA is about the process automation. There are six steps involves in the process of RPA. These are:
- Identifying the need for automation and the areas where it can be implemented
- Optimizing the processes where there is a need for automation
- Building a business case
- Selecting the right vendor of RPA
- Modeling the development of RPA
- Building expert RPA bots
4. What are the steps to create an RPA bot?
Robotic Process Automation bots are created using automation software, such as UiPath or Automation Anywhere.
Here’s how to create an RPA bot:
- Record a task to be performed
- Complete bot implementation
- Test the bot to perform the task recorded
- Upload bot to perform the required tasks
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5. Discuss the important points to remember while RPA implementation.
Here’s what to keep in mind while conducting RPA implementation.
- Define the return on investment from RPA implementation
- Focus on the defined ROI
- Target only important and impactful processes for automation
Read: RPA Architecture
6. What are the most popular RPA tools?
The most recommended RPA tools are:
- AutomationEdge
- UiPath
- LINC
- Pega
- Automal
- OpenConnect
- WorkFushion
- Contextor
- Kofax
- Another Monday
- Kryon
- NICE Systems
- Automation Anywhere
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7. What are the limitations of RPA?
RPA lags behind in the following areas:
- There is no process for RPA tools to understand data or input that is non-electronic.
- Broken process cannot be fixed by RPA implementation.
- RPA is not supported by artificial intelligence (AI), i.e., it cannot learn from rule-based everyday tasks and perform tasks more efficiently by itself. It is a puppet that needs to be told what is to be done.
8. Why are organizations implementing RPA?
In recent years, various organizations have started to adopt RPA because:
- It is a one-time investment.
- It does not require any human intervention, thus ensuring fast operations and error-free results.
- It is as easy to use as is copying and pasting a task into a machine.
- It does not require special experts for verification and testing.
9. Define the RPA life cycle.
An RPA life cycle starts with:
- Analysis: In this phase, the business operations management and RPA experts formulate whether there is a requirement for RPA implementation in the said company.
- Bot Creation: The RPA team develops an RPA bot and works on recording and assigning tasks.
- Bot Testing: A quality analysis is performed to see whether the bot is conducting tasks as it has been told.
- Deployment: Once the testing yields positive results, the bot is distributed to the dedicated operations area.
Also read: How to Write RPA Developer Resume?
10. What are the industrial applications of RPA?
Here are some:
- Telecommunications: RPA can help monitor subscriber feeds, update customer data, manage fraudulent activities, etc.
- Banking: A bot can automate the process of the credit card application, loan disbursement, etc.
- HR: With the help of RPA, it can get easy to automate payrolls, source prospective candidates, conduct background verification, etc.
- Retail: RPA helps manage fake accounts, update orders, manage coupons, process shipping notifications, etc.
11. Name the different types of logs and their fields.
The two different types of logs are:
- Default logs, which have:
-
- Execution start
- Execution end
- Transaction start
- Transaction end
- Error log
- Debugging log
- User-defined logs
Log fields: These are filename, robotName, Message, windowsIdentity, processName, jobId, Level, and processVersion.
12. What is Project Debugging in UiPath?
The meaning of debugging is identifying and decreasing errors from a process. In UiPath, debugging is combined with logging, which offers information about the process by conducting a step-by-step analysis to ensure that it is error-free. With the help of logging, you get to know what all is happening in your business operations, thus helping you debug the problems in the overall project.
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13. How to create a variable in UiPath?
There are three ways to create a variable:
- Select Control bar. Choose Variables tab. Click Create a Variable.
- Go to Properties Pane and choose Output section. Choose Create Variable of press CTRL+K on your computer.
- Choose the option of Create Variable in the Ribbon tab.
14. Is it possible to audit an RPA process? Are there any benefits to it?
Yes, you can audit the Robotics Process Automation. It helps create new strategies to improve business functions and adopt them easily.
15. Which RPA tool supports an open platform?
UiPath supports the open platform for automation.
16. How do you invoke a UiPath workflow?
It is one of the common RPA interview questions. Your answer should include the points below.
- Main Workflow: Start by having a main workflow as the entry point for the automation process.
- Invoke Workflow Activity: In UiPath, use the “Invoke Workflow” activity, which allows you to call or run another workflow from within the main workflow.
- Specify File Path: Provide the file path or location of the workflow you want to invoke in the “Invoke Workflow” activity.
- Pass Arguments: If needed, pass arguments between the main workflow and the invoked workflow to share data or parameters.
- Run the Process: Execute the main workflow, and when the “Invoke Workflow” activity is reached, the specified workflow will be triggered, and its execution will be integrated into the overall automation process.
17) What is Citrix Automation?
Citrix automation in RPA refers to the ability to automate tasks within Citrix environments, which often involve virtualized or remote desktop sessions.
- Challenges: Citrix environments present challenges for automation due to the graphical nature of interactions, making traditional automation difficult.
- Image and Text Recognition: RPA tools use image and text recognition techniques to identify and interact with elements within Citrix applications.
- Citrix Activities: Many RPA platforms, including UiPath, offer specialized Citrix automation activities designed to handle interactions within Citrix environments.
- Mouse and Keyboard Simulation: Automation in Citrix involves simulating mouse and keyboard inputs, allowing robots to perform tasks as if a human were interacting directly with the Citrix environment.
- Secure Automation: Citrix automation is crucial for automating processes in virtualized environments while ensuring security and compliance with the organization’s policies.
18) What are RPA Bots, and how do you create them?
RPA (Robotic Process Automation) bots are software robots designed to perform repetitive, rule-based tasks within business processes, mimicking human interactions with digital systems.
- Design Process: Begin by identifying the tasks suitable for automation within a business process. Define the logic, decision points, and inputs required for the bot.
- RPA Tools: Choose an RPA tool such as UiPath, Automation Anywhere, or Blue Prism. Install and set up the selected tool on a machine.
- Bot Development: Use the RPA tool’s interface to create a bot by designing workflows that include activities to interact with applications, manipulate data, and make decisions.
- Coding or No-Code: Depending on the RPA tool, you may code in a programming language or use a no-code/low-code approach, simplifying the bot creation process.
- Testing and Deployment: Test the bot thoroughly to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Once validated, deploy the bot to execute the defined tasks autonomously in a production environment.
19) How do you perform Screen Scraping in RPA?
- Launch RPA Tool: Open the RPA tool, such as UiPath, and create a new project or open an existing one.
- Use Screen Scraping Activity: Within the project, locate the screen scraping activity or function provided by the RPA tool.
- Select Target Application: Specify the application or window from which you want to extract data. Ensure the application is open and visible.
- Indicate Elements: Use the RPA tool to indicate the elements on the screen that contain the data to be scrapped. This involves selecting specific UI elements, text, or tables.
- Configure Extraction Method: Configure the screen scraping activity to use the appropriate extraction method, such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for images or direct extraction for structured data.
- Preview and Validate: Preview the extracted data to validate accuracy. Adjust settings if needed to enhance data extraction precision.
- Implement Data Handling: Once validated, integrate the scraped data into the RPA workflow, enabling the bot to use the information for further processing or decision-making.
20) List the benefits of Screen Scraping.
It is amongst the basic RPA interview questions. Keep the below-mentioned points in your answer.
- Data Extraction from Legacy Systems: Screen scraping allows RPA bots to extract data from legacy systems or applications without APIs, enabling the automation of processes involving older technologies.
- User Interface Interaction: Bots can interact with and scrape data from graphical user interfaces (GUIs), including web pages, desktop applications, and virtualized environments like Citrix.
- Automation of Unstructured Data: Screen scraping is beneficial for automating processes that involve unstructured data, such as PDFs, images, or text embedded within images.
- Quick Implementation: Screen scraping provides a rapid solution for automating tasks without requiring access to underlying databases, making it suitable for scenarios where data retrieval is needed without backend integration.
- Enhanced Productivity: By automating data extraction from various sources, screen scraping contributes to increased productivity, allowing organizations to process information more efficiently.
- Support for Legacy Applications: It facilitates automation in environments with legacy applications that lack modern integration capabilities, extending the lifespan of existing systems.
- Cost-Efficient Integration: Screen scraping offers a cost-effective way to integrate automation into processes where direct API access or backend modifications are impractical or costly.
21) List the components of RPA Solution Architecture.
Another important question in the list of RPA interview questions and answer is about RPA solution architecture.
- Bot Runners: These are the execution agents that run RPA scripts. They can be deployed on virtual machines or desktops to perform automated tasks.
- Control Room: The centralized command center for managing, monitoring, and controlling RPA bots. It includes features for scheduling, queuing, and tracking bot execution.
- Development Studio: This is the environment where RPA scripts or workflows are designed. It provides a graphical interface for building automation processes.
- Orchestrator: An orchestration tool that coordinates the deployment, execution, and monitoring of RPA bots. It ensures seamless collaboration between bot runners and the control room.
- Bot Store: A repository of pre-built automation components or bots that can be reused across different processes, promoting efficiency and consistency in RPA implementation.
22) What are the important aspects to be considered in the planning phase of automation?
- Process Selection: Identify and prioritize processes suitable for automation based on criteria like repetitive tasks, rule-based nature, and potential business impact.
- Feasibility Analysis: Assess the feasibility of automating selected processes, considering factors such as data availability, system compatibility, and the complexity of tasks.
- ROI Analysis: Conduct a thorough Return on Investment (ROI) analysis to determine the cost-effectiveness and benefits of automation implementation.
- Stakeholder Involvement: Engage key stakeholders early in the planning phase to ensure alignment with organizational goals and gather valuable insights.
- Infrastructure Readiness: Ensure that the required infrastructure, including hardware and software, is in place to support the automation initiative.
- Security Considerations: Address security and compliance requirements to safeguard sensitive data and ensure regulatory adherence.
- Training and Change Management: Plan for training programs and change management strategies to prepare the workforce for the adoption of automation technologies.
23) Explain Single Block Activity in UiPath.
This is included in the series of interview questions for RPA developers. I have highlighted the main points that should be in your answer.
- Definition: A Single Block Activity in UiPath is a container that encapsulates a set of related actions or activities within a workflow.
- Organizational Unit: It serves as an organizational unit within the workflow, enhancing visual representation and making it more modular.
- Types: Examples include Sequences, Flowcharts, and State Machines, each designed to handle specific types of logic and control flow.
- Enhanced Readability: Single Block Activities improve the readability of the automation process by grouping logically connected actions together.
- Encapsulation: They enable the encapsulation of specific functionalities, promoting a modular and maintainable design in UiPath workflows.
- Structured Design: Facilitates the creation of structured and organized automation processes, aiding developers in managing complex workflows effectively.
24) How do you use Assign Activity and Delay Activity in UiPath?
Assign Activity in UiPath:
- Purpose: The Assign activity is used to assign a value or expression to a variable in UiPath.
- Implementation: Drag and drop the Assign activity into the workflow, specify the target variable, and assign a value or expression using the formula editor.
- Example: To assign the value of 10 to a variable named “Count,” use “Count = 10” in the Assign activity.
Delay Activity in UiPath:
- Purpose: The Delay activity is employed to introduce a pause or wait time in the automation process.
- Implementation: Place the Delay activity in the workflow and set the duration of the delay in milliseconds using the Properties panel.
- Example: To pause the automation for 5 seconds, set the delay duration to “5000” milliseconds in the Delay activity.
25) When do we use UI automation?
- Repetitive Tasks: UI automation is used for automating repetitive and rule-based tasks performed through graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
- Legacy Systems: It is applied when dealing with legacy systems lacking modern APIs, enabling automation without backend integration.
- Data Entry: UI automation is beneficial for automating data entry tasks, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in handling large volumes of data.
- Cross-Application Integration: Used to integrate and coordinate activities across different applications or software systems seamlessly.
- Screen Scraping: Employed for extracting data from unstructured sources like images, PDFs, or web pages using screen scraping techniques.
- Task Standardization: UI automation ensures standardized execution of tasks, minimizing errors and promoting consistency in processes.
26) What is the difference between thin clients and thick clients?
Thick Clients:
- Definition: Thick clients, also known as fat clients, are applications that perform a substantial amount of processing on the client side.
- Processing Location: The majority of processing occurs on the client device.
- Dependency: Thick clients often have dependencies on the client’s hardware and software capabilities.
- User Interface: They typically provide a rich and feature-heavy user interface.
- Network Interaction: Communication with the server involves transmitting user inputs and receiving data, but the server does not handle extensive processing.
Thin Clients:
- Definition: Thin clients are applications that rely heavily on server-side processing.
- Processing Location: The majority of processing occurs on the server, with the client mainly responsible for rendering and displaying data.
- Dependency: Thin clients have minimal dependencies on client-side hardware and software.
- User Interface: The user interface is often simpler, with less functionality residing on the client side.
- Network Interaction: Thin clients continuously interact with the server, transmitting user inputs and receiving processed data, making them more reliant on a stable network connection.
27) What are the differences between task bots, meta bots, and IQ bots?
Task Bots:
- Function: Task bots perform specific, rule-based tasks within an RPA process.
- Automation Scope: They focus on automating individual tasks or processes without advanced cognitive capabilities.
- Example: Extracting data from a structured form and inputting it into a database.
Meta Bots:
- Function: Metabots coordinate the actions of multiple task bots, managing end-to-end processes.
- Automation Scope: They oversee and orchestrate complex workflows involving the collaboration of multiple task bots.
- Example: Coordinating order processing involving data extraction, validation, and entry.
IQ Bots:
- Function: IQ bots integrate cognitive capabilities like machine learning to handle unstructured data.
- Automation Scope: They excel in processing and understanding semi-structured and unstructured data, adapting to varying document formats.
- Example: Extracting information from invoices with different layouts and formats.
28) What are front-office and back-office bots?
Front-Office Bots:
- Function: Front-office bots are automation solutions deployed in customer-facing activities.
- Automation Scope: They handle tasks related to customer interactions, such as data entry, customer support, and order processing.
- Example: Automating customer queries, processing online orders, and managing customer communication.
Back-Office Bots:
- Function: Back-office bots are employed in internal, non-customer-facing operations.
- Automation Scope: They focus on tasks related to internal processes, such as data validation, HR processes, and financial reconciliations.
- Example: Automating invoice processing, payroll management, and data reconciliation in the finance department.
29) How will you perform RPA Source Code Management?
- Version Control: Utilize version control systems like Git to manage RPA source code efficiently.
- Repository Structure: Organize the repository with clear directory structures for processes, libraries, and configurations.
- Branching Strategy: Implement a branching strategy for development, testing, and production releases.
- Commit Messages: Ensure descriptive commit messages to track changes effectively.
- Code Reviews: Enforce code review practices to maintain code quality and consistency.
- Continuous Integration: Integrate RPA development with continuous integration tools for automated testing and deployment.
- Documentation: Maintain documentation for processes, workflows, and configurations within the version control system.
30) What is RPA’s Process Studio?
- Definition: Process Studio is a Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform component like UiPath or Automation Anywhere.
- Functionality is an integrated development environment (IDE) where developers design, build, and test automation workflows or processes.
- Graphical Interface: Process Studio employs a graphical interface, allowing developers to create automation using a visual representation of workflows, activities, and logic.
- Drag-and-Drop: Developers can use a drag-and-drop approach to design automation tasks, making it user-friendly and accessible for technical and non-technical users.
- Activity Library: It includes a library of pre-built activities for various automation tasks, enhancing development efficiency.
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Conclusion
In wrapping up our comprehensive guide on RPA Interview Questions & Answers, it’s evident that the landscape of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is both vast and dynamic. Navigating through the myriad of interview questions, we’ve aimed to equip candidates with the knowledge and confidence needed to tackle interviews in this evolving field. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced professional looking to deepen your expertise, understanding these key RPA concepts and preparing with our curated questions can significantly enhance your interview readiness. Remember, success in an RPA interview goes beyond just memorizing answers; it’s about demonstrating a deep understanding of automation principles and how they can be applied to solve real-world business challenges. We hope this guide serves as a valuable resource in your career journey, helping you to not only answer RPA interview questions with assurance but also to stand out as a skilled and insightful candidate in the competitive RPA domain.
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