An Automation Architect is a professional who plays a crucial role in designing and implementing automation solutions within an organization. They are responsible for developing strategies, frameworks, and methodologies to automate business processes and improve efficiency. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Automation Architects.

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Main Responsibilities of an Automation Architect

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Automation Architect:

Advise

• Advise fellow SDETs on design and development of scalable and maintainable automated tests.

• Advise Quality team Senior Architect on technical aspects of automation required for ROI.

• Advise Test Specialists on Tosca best practices.

Analyze

Analyze data and information to provide insights and recommendations.

Anticipate

Anticipate, identify, track and resolve technical issues and risks affecting delivery.

Assess

Assess existing systems and processes to identify automation opportunities.

Assist in

• Assist development teams in resolving technical problems.

• Assist engineering management team with the technical presentation of proposed automation solutions.

• Assist in identifying process improvements and application enhancements.

• Assist in the development of strategic plans.

• Assist in the integration of Agile practices and DevOps automation into SDLC policy and governance.

• Assist Support teams to resolve issues.

Assure

Assure that the corporate architecture is consistent with disaster recovery plan objectives.

Build

• Build and Develop partnerships with Microsoft and other 3rd-Party vendors.

• Build and enhance a multi-layered automation framework.

• Build and test interesting and complex systems.

• Build change management plans of varying scope and type.

• Build effective relationships with internal / external stakeholders.

• Build technical solutions in the context of the client's environment, requirements, and resources.

• Build tools - Maven / grade / ant.

Close

Close working relationship with control system vendors\automation engineering vendors.

Coach

Coach 2-4 Agile teams simultaneously on automation framework and practices implementation.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate closely with all members of the agile teams.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate automation solutions into existing systems.

• Collaborate with dev teams, BA / Product teams / End Users.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver on business objectives.

• Collaborate with other Coaches to drive overall coaching program.

• Collaborate with security teams to ensure the integrity and security of automated processes.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand automation needs and define project scope.

Communicate

Communicate at both the business and technical level (written and verbal).

Conduct

• Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for automation initiatives.

• Conduct independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.

• Conduct performance testing and optimization of automated processes.

• Conduct regular reviews and audits of automation systems to ensure compliance and efficiency.

• Conduct research, gather information, interpret data, identify requirements, and create a solution.

• Conduct RPA (Robotic Process Automation) client assessments.

• Conduct training sessions and workshops to educate stakeholders on automation concepts.

Connect

Connect as a diverse team and make innovation happen.

Contribute to

Contribute to Automation Center of Excellent Initiatives across enterprise and regions.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and participate in structured peer reviews and walkthroughs.

• Coordinate the development of the overall project plans and timetables.

• Coordinate with different IT areas to resolve issues and escalate as needed.

Create

• Create and document test procedures and scenarios for the pre-UAT phases.

• Create and maintain best practices and standards for solution definition.

• Create and maintain documentation for automation processes, workflows, and configurations.

• Create / Maintain and enhance the existing test automation framework using best practices.

Define

• Define and document compliant and standard implementations of standard products and equipment.

• Define and implement test automation strategies including roadmap, tools, framework & approach.

• Define and publish key metrics for automated testing.

• Define and publish key performance metrics for the automated testing.

• Define automation standards and best practices for the organization.

• Define solutions and execute on proof of concepts to demonstrate value.

• Define the roles for all channels within campaign strategies.

Deploy

Deploy best practices for test and verification.

Design

• Design and develop automation frameworks and strategies to meet business requirements.

• Design and develop overall QA automation strategy and architecture for Augmented Analytics platform.

• Design and implement test strategies and methodologies for automation testing.

• Design a plan for the adoption of Automation (Domain-wide / enterprise-wide).

• Design patterns - page object model, page object factory design patterns.

Determine

Determine when a customization is required to build utility.

Develop

• Develop and execute automated test scripts to validate software functionality.

• Develop and implement metrics to measure automation effectiveness in project / release work.

• Develop automation project plans, including timelines, resource allocation, and deliverables.

• Develop, configure, and implement RPA solutions as needed.

Direct

• Direct marketing concepts, especially as they relate to email marketing.

• Direct program teams to use new processes / tools, providing coaching and mentoring.

Drive

Drive test automation approach as part of the program test strategy.

Educate

Educate various roles and levels of people on Automation Tools and Practices.

Ensure

Ensure methodology adherence and consistency while maintaining teams' abilities to be self-directed.

Establish

Establish the short term and long-term strategy for Test Automation across N.A. P&BB.

Estimate

• Estimate automation effort based on information learned in deep dives.

• Estimate, prioritize, plan and coordinate quality testing activities.

Evaluate

• Evaluate and select appropriate automation tools and technologies.

• Evaluate and select best usage of test automation tools for different purposes.

• Evaluate client ERP, HR, MDM, CDP, CRM systems and map out to RPA standard methodologies.

Explore

Explore beyond present functions and proposes new solutions and processes when applicable.

Follow

Follow production environment support processes and guidelines.

Guide

Guide / assist in the identification and classification of issues.

Help

• Help cultivate communities of practice through Monthly meetings.

• Help determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business / group strategy.

• Help prioritize what should and shouldn't be automated.

Identify

• Identify and cultivate strategic relationships between involved departments.

• Identify development issues that are complicating automation effort.

• Identify emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.

Influence

• Influence and negotiates to achieve business objectives.

• Influence makes an impact, know that relationships and networks are essential to success.

Investigate

Investigate test failures and help find root causes.

Juggle

Juggle multiple issues, set expectations and prioritize accordingly.

Keep

• Keep abreast of technological developments and industry trends.

• Keep the lines of communication open with stakeholders, and escalate issues when necessary.

Lead

• Lead and manage automation projects from initiation to completion.

• Lead Automation Best Practice Forums with Automation Practitioners within P&BB organization.

• Lead / participate in the design, implementation and management of core business / group processes.

Maintain

Maintain confidential material and information appropriately.

Manage

• Manage and deploy campaigns, including nurturing campaigns via Marketo.

• Manage and lead campaign plans, including metrics for campaign and performance reporting.

• Manage and plan both hardware and software upgrades as necessary.

• Manage budget, monitors progress and adjusts resources and priorities accordingly.

• Manage campaign roadmap, milestones, deliverables and results across functions.

• Manage communications between projects to control integration and dependencies Essential Skills.

Monitor

Monitor and analyze automation performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.

Need

Need to analyze, detail and develop industrial strength OO software.

Oversee

• Oversee technological execution of the recommended automation solution roadmap across delivery teams.

• Oversee the definition, selection, and extension of the test automation architecture frameworks.

Participate in

• Participate in reporting metrics for both manual, automated testing and performance testing.

• Participate on a team responsible for planning, estimating, and managing deliverables.

Perform

• Perform deep dives on applications to be automated.

• Perform quality assurance on assets and programs.

Prioritize

Prioritize goals and quick wins based on value, stakeholder and enterprise priorities.

Promote

Promote the use of open source tools and are proficient in multiple test scripting languages.

Provide

• Provide automation expertise, training and coaching to all team members.

• Provide complete, accurate and timely automation status updates to project teams and stakeholders.

• Provide input on policy issues.

• Provide internal and client-facing documentation.

• Provide leadership and consultative guidance on projects with extensive size, scope and risk.

• Provide leadership, guidance, training and mentoring.

• Provide Level 4 support for major operational incidents.

• Provide recommendations regarding improvement and enhancements of the systems environment.

• Provide specialized consulting, analytical and technical support.

• Provide technical guidance and support to automation developers and testers.

Recommend

Recommend and implement solutions based on analysis of issues and implications for the business.

Research

• Research and recommend tools, approaches.

• Research and respond to customer questions.

Resolve

Resolve issues by reviewing logs, online research, and working with vendors.

Review

• Review and optimize lead scoring in Marketo, working closely with the Business Development team.

• Review and understand users' need / requirement and develop strategies that meet those needs.

• Review automation progress by team.

• Review test cases and repository health.

Stay updated on

Stay updated on emerging automation technologies and industry trends.

Support

• Support overall quality engineering strategy.

• Support the data reconciliation / provisioning processes between core risk systems.

• Support the Operational Teams during the UAT and rollout phases.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and debug automation scripts to identify and resolve issues.

Understand

• Understand how to build test and learn opportunities into your planning when relevant.

• Understand trends and identify new media opportunities within your planning.

Use

Use techniques that increase collaboration, predictability, and transparency.

Work with

• Work with a global team in multiple time zones.

• Work with specialist teams to deliver cohesive, fully-integrated cross-channel plans.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Automation Architect:

1. Programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C#)

2. Automation tools (e.g., Selenium, Appium, UiPath)

3. Test automation frameworks (e.g., BDD, keyword-driven, data-driven)

4. Web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)

5. API testing and automation

6. Database management and SQL

7. Performance testing tools (e.g., JMeter, LoadRunner)

8. Version control systems (e.g., Git, SVN)

9. Continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines

10. Agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban)

11. Operating systems (Windows, Linux)

12. Scripting languages (e.g., Shell scripting, PowerShell)

13. Test management tools (e.g., Jira, TestRail)

14. Cloud platforms and services (e.g., AWS, Azure)

15. Virtualization and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)

16. Mobile application testing frameworks (e.g., Appium, XCTest)

17. Network protocols and troubleshooting

18. Data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI)

19. Security testing

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Automation Architect:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify automation opportunities and resolve issues.

2. Effective communication and collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

3. Adaptability and flexibility to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to changing project requirements.

4. Attention to detail and a meticulous approach to ensure accuracy and precision in automation processes.

5. Time management and organizational skills to meet project deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively.

6. Leadership abilities to guide and mentor automation developers and testers.

7. Critical thinking and decision-making skills to make informed choices regarding automation strategies.

8. Creative thinking to design innovative automation solutions for complex business processes.

9. Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills to diagnose and resolve automation script failures.

10. Continuous learning and self-improvement mindset to stay updated with the latest automation trends and technologies.

Conclusion

Automation Architects are integral in implementing efficient and effective automation solutions to streamline business processes. Their responsibilities encompass designing automation frameworks, managing projects, and ensuring the successful implementation of automation initiatives. Possessing a combination of technical skills in programming, automation tools, and methodologies, along with soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and leadership, is crucial for a successful career as an Automation Architect. By continuously developing both their hard and soft skills, Automation Architects can excel in their roles and drive automation innovation within their organizations.