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RPA Overview - Robotic Process Automation

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Based on 30,168 ratings
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Bryan Lamb

If you're not learning robotic process automation, or, RPA, right now, you're already behind.

Much in the same way physical robots have been rapidly replacing industrial, blue-collar jobs, software robots will be replacing a high percentage of white collar jobs… sooner than you think. It has been speculated that 30% of white collar computer jobs will be replaced by automation by the year 2025. The most likely way to adapt & thrive in this new age will be to know how to build & maintain software robots... and that's automation.

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If you're not learning robotic process automation, or, RPA, right now, you're already behind.

Much in the same way physical robots have been rapidly replacing industrial, blue-collar jobs, software robots will be replacing a high percentage of white collar jobs… sooner than you think. It has been speculated that 30% of white collar computer jobs will be replaced by automation by the year 2025. The most likely way to adapt & thrive in this new age will be to know how to build & maintain software robots... and that's automation.

Whether you are a business person who wants to automate a few repetitive tasks, a director or manager who wants to establish an RPA Automation COE, a business analyst, project manager, or aspiring RPA developer, starting with the RPA BIG PICTURE will provide you with the WHY of RPA, and fuel the next steps of your automation journey.

Once inside, 4-time UiPath MVP Bryan Lamb will provide you with a clear overview of robotic process automation including:

  • Robotic Process Automation history and drivers

  • Benefits, challenges, and risks of Robotic Process Automation

  • Industries and applications where RPA fits the best

  • An overview of current Robotic Process Automation tools & capabilities

  • A simple automation demo using UiPath Studio and Power Automate

  • An implementation plan you can use as a guideline to introduce RPA into your company

The goal of this course is to help you see the big picture of robotic process automation and prepare you for further hands-on study using Bryan's other highly rated, best seller courses like:

  • RPA Tech Primer

  • UiPath Level 1

  • UiPath Level 2

  • UiPath Test Automation

  • UiPath Automation Hub

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand what robotic process automation (rpa) is
  • Learn the why behind rpa
  • See a simple rpa demo using uipath studio
  • Understand why rpa is a massive career & earning opportunity
  • Know which rpa tools are most relevant
  • Understand the challenges & risks when implementing rpa
  • Envision a basic rpa implementation plan

Syllabus

Here I provide a high-level roadmap of what will you will learn in this course. It's NOT a hands-on RPA developer course, but I do offer that in many of my other courses. This course is a bit more business-focused, and provides high-level information about the origins of RPA, what it is and isn't, how to work with RPA ideas, and how to set up an RPA COE at your enterprise. Comprehensive, high-value content!

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Just a little bit about me and my background if you're interested.

Let's take a high level look at exactly what Robotic Process Automation is, and how RPA can improve any company.

Robotic Process Automation has nothing to do with physical robots!

If you have test automation skills, RPA will be a natural extension for you. What's most important is that while test automation jobs are becoming more saturated and competitive, RPA jobs are exploding, and companies currently can't find enough qualified people! People with a testing background also make for better RPA developers, because you usually test your own robots better before releasing them.

Robotic Process Automation pertains to software robots. Let's have a quick look at how to build one.

Why is RPA suddenly so popular?

Robotic Process Automation results in software robots that are faster, better, and cheaper than humans. Does offshoring still make sense?

Robotic Process Automation will undoubtedly cause white collar job losses along with the benefits it brings. Having the right RPA mindset will ensure you don't lose sight of the big picture.

Robotic Process Automation yields the best ROI in certain industries.

Robotic Process Automation has specific challenges & risks. Do they outweigh the benefits?

Robotic Process Automation isn't all or nothing. Find out several different levels.

Robotic Process Automation is growing fast. Find out how fast!

Robotic Process Automation uses specific, dedicated tools. Learn about the top 3 here!

Robotic Process Automation can revolutionize an enterprise. Let's have an overview of the topics.

Robotic Process Automation works best for certain kinds of processes. Find out which ones here.

Here I discuss a simple Excel-based tool for capturing and selecting the best RPA ideas

Automating processes should yield a return on investment. Does this only mean money? Find out here...

Here I discuss UiPath Automation Hub, a comprehensive web-based tool for capturing and selecting the best RPA ideas

Now we have enough information to actually create our first RPA software robot. Let's walk through the steps...

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a business-focused overview of RPA, which helps managers understand how to establish an RPA Center of Excellence within their enterprises
Offers a simple automation demo using UiPath Studio and Power Automate, which are leading RPA tools in the industry
Explores the potential for RPA to replace white-collar jobs, which highlights the importance of learning RPA for career advancement
Recommends other courses, such as UiPath Level 1 and Level 2, which suggests that further study is needed to gain practical RPA skills
Presents an implementation plan that can be used as a guideline to introduce RPA into a company, which is useful for strategic planning
Suggests that RPA is a natural extension for those with test automation skills, which may be useful for career advancement

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Rpa overview: big picture & business focus

According to learners, this course serves as a strong introduction to Robotic Process Automation, providing a clear and concise overview of the technology, its history, benefits, and potential challenges. Many appreciate that it focuses on the big picture and the business perspective, explaining the "why" behind RPA and its relevance in industries. It's frequently highlighted as a great starting point for those new to the field or looking for a non-technical understanding before diving into specific tools. However, some reviewers note that the course is not a hands-on coding or development course, emphasizing that it’s an overview and requires further study for practical skills. The instructor is often praised for their expertise and clear explanations.
Tool demonstrations are included but brief.
"There was a demo using UiPath and Power Automate, which was helpful."
"Liked seeing the short demos of the tools in action."
"The demos were too brief, could have used more detail."
"Useful to see the tools, even if only for a few minutes."
"Wish the demos were more extensive and hands-on."
Instructor knowledge and teaching style are praised.
"Great insights provided by the instructor based on real-world experience."
"The instructor is very knowledgeable and explains concepts clearly."
"Bryan Lamb is an excellent instructor, easy to follow and engaging."
"Instructor's passion for the topic is evident and inspiring."
"Enjoyed the presentation style and the expertise shared."
Focuses on the strategic 'why' and business impact.
"It gave me the broad strokes view of RPA I needed from a business perspective."
"Helpful for understanding the 'why' and business case for RPA implementation."
"Offers a great overview of RPA and its applications in a business context."
"Good high-level view of RPA and where it fits in the business landscape."
"Valuable insights into the strategic aspects and benefits for companies."
Provides a foundational understanding of RPA.
"This course provides an excellent introduction to RPA for beginners."
"Very good overview and introduction to RPA"
"Clear, concise, and well-organized information about RPA's core concepts."
"The course delivered a solid introduction to RPA covering the basics really well."
"Provides a foundational understanding of RPA for someone new to the field."
A stepping stone, not a complete skill solution.
"This course is a great starting point but you will need more courses for development."
"It sets the stage well but is not sufficient on its own for a career."
"Excellent first step, but prepare to take subsequent courses from the same instructor."
"Gives the overview but you need to follow up with tool-specific training."
"Foundational knowledge gained, ready to explore practical building now."
Lacks practical coding or development labs.
"This course does not provide hands-on learning or coding exercises."
"Be aware this is strictly an overview, not a technical deep dive."
"If you want to learn to build bots, this is not the course for that."
"The demo was very brief; wished for more practical examples."
"Good for theory, but no practical development skills taught."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in RPA Overview - Robotic Process Automation with these activities:
Review Basic Programming Concepts
Reviewing basic programming concepts will help you better understand the logic behind RPA tools and how they automate tasks.
Browse courses on Programming Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Review variables, loops, and conditional statements.
  • Practice writing simple algorithms.
  • Familiarize yourself with flowcharting basics.
Read 'Robotic Process Automation: Guide To Building Software Robots, Automate Repetitive Tasks & Become An RPA Consultant'
Reading this book will provide a broader understanding of RPA concepts and implementation strategies.
View Robotic Process Automation: Guide To Building... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Identify areas where RPA can be applied in your own work.
Follow UiPath Tutorials
Following UiPath tutorials will provide hands-on experience with a leading RPA tool and solidify your understanding of automation concepts.
Show steps
  • Create a free UiPath Community Edition account.
  • Complete the UiPath Academy 'RPA Starter' course.
  • Experiment with building simple automation workflows.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Automate a Simple Task
Starting a small automation project will allow you to apply your knowledge and gain practical experience with RPA.
Show steps
  • Identify a repetitive task you perform regularly.
  • Design an RPA workflow to automate the task.
  • Implement the workflow using UiPath or Power Automate.
  • Test and refine the automation.
Document Your Automation Project
Documenting your automation project will reinforce your understanding and provide a valuable reference for future projects.
Show steps
  • Describe the problem you were trying to solve.
  • Explain the design of your RPA workflow.
  • Document the steps involved in implementing the automation.
  • Share your documentation on a blog or forum.
Read 'The Simple Implementation Guide to Robotic Process Automation (RPA): How to Best Implement RPA in Your Organization'
Reading this book will provide a practical guide to implementing RPA in an organization.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Identify areas where RPA can be applied in your own work.
Attend RPA Meetups
Attending RPA meetups will allow you to connect with other RPA professionals and learn about the latest trends and best practices.
Show steps
  • Search for RPA meetups in your area.
  • Attend a meetup and network with other attendees.
  • Share your experiences with RPA and learn from others.

Career center

Learners who complete RPA Overview - Robotic Process Automation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
RPA Developer
An RPA Developer designs, develops, and implements robotic process automation solutions to automate repetitive tasks. This course provides a strong overview of robotic process automation, including its history, benefits, and challenges. It also provides an overview of tools like UiPath Studio and Power Automate. Understanding these tools and the fundamentals of RPA helps aspiring RPA Developers begin building and maintaining software robots. With the knowledge of why RPA is becoming popular, and its challenges, you become a well-rounded RPA developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for RPA Developer
Automation Engineer
An Automation Engineer designs and implements automated systems and processes. This course offers a broad understanding of robotic process automation, and the Automation Engineer can use this knowledge to identify opportunities to automate tasks and improve efficiency. Learning about the RPA implementation plan can assist the Automation Engineer in successfully introducing RPA into their company. The course's overview of current RPA tools and their capabilities also benefits the Automation Engineer. The insight into the right RPA mindset serves as a foundation for successfully automating processes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer
Process Improvement Specialist
A Process Improvement Specialist analyzes and improves business processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs. This course can be very helpful because it provides a strong foundation in robotic process automation, a key tool for process improvement. With an understanding of RPA benefits and challenges, the specialist can effectively identify and implement automation solutions. Learning about the industries and applications where RPA fits best enables the specialist to target the most promising areas for improvement. Improving processes by automation of tasks may be the most important key to improving overall efficiency.
See salaries and explore the career path for Process Improvement Specialist
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst identifies business needs and recommends solutions, often involving automation. This course provides a solid grounding in robotic process automation. The course helps Business Analysts understand the best industries and applications for RPA, enabling them to better identify opportunities for automation within their organization. Understanding the challenges and risks of RPA, as covered in the course, helps to make informed recommendations. The course provides vital context so that the Business Analyst may be a driver/stakeholder in an RPA project.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
IT Manager
An IT Manager oversees an organization's technology infrastructure and ensures it aligns with business goals. This course helps IT Managers understand the potential of robotic process automation to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The course’s discussion of implementation plans and RPA challenges equips IT Managers to make informed decisions about adopting RPA. An IT Manager may find the overview of RPA tools and capabilities particularly valuable when evaluating different RPA solutions. In addition, knowing how to establish an RPA Center of Excellence helps to get started with RPA.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager
Quality Assurance Analyst
A Quality Assurance Analyst is responsible for ensuring the quality of software and systems. This course mentions that if you have test automation skills, RPA will be a natural extension. The course also mentions that people with testing backgrounds make for better RPA developers. Therefore, Quality Assurance Analysts are well prepared to transition to RPA. Furthermore, they usually test their own robots better before releasing them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects, often involving technology implementations. This course provides a solid introduction to robotic process automation. The course helps the Project Manager understand the scope and potential benefits of RPA projects. Learning about the challenges and risks of RPA helps to mitigate potential problems. The implementation plan you can use as a guideline to introduce RPA into your company may be particularly helpful in overseeing RPA initiatives. The Project Manager will be crucial to delivering any automation solution.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Solutions Architect
A Solutions Architect designs and implements IT solutions to address business problems. This course provides valuable insights into robotic process automation, an increasingly important technology for automating business processes. The course’s overview of RPA tools and capabilities helps the Solutions Architect select the right tools for a given project. Understanding RPA implementation plans and potential challenges helps ensure successful project delivery. The course provides a critical high-level overview to understand the place of RPA in the architecture.
See salaries and explore the career path for Solutions Architect
Management Consultant
A Management Consultant advises organizations on how to improve their performance and efficiency. This course may be useful, since it will provide a consultant with a strong understanding of robotic process automation. The consultant can use this knowledge to identify opportunities for RPA adoption within client organizations. The course overview of RPA benefits, challenges, and implementation plans will enable the consultant to provide informed recommendations. With this knowledge, a Management Consultant should feel comfortable recommending RPA solutions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant
Business Process Manager
A Business Process Manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing business processes within an organization. This course may be useful in understanding the role of robotic process automation in streamlining operations. The course will help to evaluate processes for automation potential. The insight into RPA implementation plans helps to guide the successful integration of RPA into existing workflows. The knowledge will help a Business Process Manager be more forward-thinking in their field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Process Manager
Chief Technology Officer
A Chief Technology Officer, or CTO, is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the technology strategy and infrastructure of an organization. This course may be beneficial in understanding the strategic implications of robotic process automation. The CTO can use this knowledge to guide the adoption of RPA within the organization. The course’s overview of implementation plans and potential challenges enables the CTO to make informed decisions about RPA investments. The best CTOs stay ahead of the curve in terms of automation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst collects, processes, and analyzes data to identify trends and insights that can inform business decisions. A Data Analyst can use robotic process automation to automate data collection and processing tasks. This course may provide a foundation in understanding how RPA tools work and how they can be integrated into existing data workflows. With an understanding of the data flow, Data Analysts may find new efficiencies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Compliance Officer
A Compliance Officer ensures that an organization adheres to relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. This course may be useful by providing insights into how robotic process automation can be used to automate compliance-related tasks, such as data collection and reporting. With an understanding of RPA, the Compliance Officer can identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy in compliance processes. In this context, the course may serve as a high-level introduction.
See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer
Internal Auditor
An Internal Auditor evaluates an organization's internal controls and processes to ensure their effectiveness and compliance. This course may be useful by offering an understanding of how robotic process automation can impact internal controls. The auditor can better assess the risks and benefits associated with RPA implementations by understanding the challenges and risks of RPA. In this way, the course may serve as a baseline understanding.
See salaries and explore the career path for Internal Auditor
Technical Recruiter
A Technical Recruiter specializes in finding and recruiting candidates for technical positions, including those in automation. This course may be useful for Technical Recruiters in understanding the basics of robotic process automation. Understanding what RPA is and the tools used help a recruiter better identify and assess potential candidates. By understanding the RPA landscape, Technical Recruiters can more effectively source and screen qualified individuals for RPA roles.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Recruiter

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in RPA Overview - Robotic Process Automation.
Robotic Process Automation
Save
Provides a practical guide to building software robots and automating repetitive tasks, aligning perfectly with the course's focus on RPA implementation. It covers the fundamentals of RPA, explores different RPA tools, and offers insights into becoming an RPA consultant. This book would be valuable for learners looking to transition from understanding the 'why' of RPA to the 'how'.
Robotic Process Automation: Guide To Building...
Paperback
$
Robotic Process Automation: Guide To Building...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Alter Ego
Save
Focuses on the practical aspects of implementing RPA within an organization. It provides a step-by-step guide to planning, designing, and deploying RPA solutions. It is particularly useful for managers and business analysts who are responsible for leading RPA initiatives. This book offers valuable insights into the challenges and risks associated with RPA implementation.
Alter Ego: A Novel
Paperback
$$

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Course image
Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
2.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Bryan Lamb
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a business-focused overview of RPA, which helps managers understand how to establish an RPA Center of Excellence within their enterprises
Offers a simple automation demo using UiPath Studio and Power Automate, which are leading RPA tools in the industry
Explores the potential for RPA to replace white-collar jobs, which highlights the importance of learning RPA for career advancement
Recommends other courses, such as UiPath Level 1 and Level 2, which suggests that further study is needed to gain practical RPA skills
Presents an implementation plan that can be used as a guideline to introduce RPA into a company, which is useful for strategic planning
Suggests that RPA is a natural extension for those with test automation skills, which may be useful for career advancement
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