Computer Automation Course

Lesson 1 • Identifying Automation Opportunities

Teaches structured methods to spot repetitive, rule-based tasks suitable for automation. Students produce a prioritized list of candidate processes from their own work context.

Lesson 2 • Types and Categories of Automation

Surveys task-based, process-based, and cognitive automation categories. Helps students match automation types to real workplace scenarios.

Lesson 3 • Core Automation Terminology

Introduces essential vocabulary including triggers, actions, workflows, and bots. Precise terminology enables clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Lesson 4 • What Automation Is and Why It Matters

Defines automation, distinguishes it from manual processes, and frames its business impact. Sets the conceptual baseline for all subsequent technical content.

Lesson 1 • Control Flow and Logic

Teaches conditional statements and loops that direct script execution paths. Students write scripts that make decisions and repeat actions automatically.

Lesson 2 • Variables, Data Types, and Operators

Covers how scripts store, manipulate, and compare data using variables and operators. These constructs underpin every automation logic pattern introduced later.

Lesson 3 • Debugging and Testing Scripts

Covers error types, debugging strategies, and basic testing practices for scripts. Students learn to identify and fix defects before deploying automation to production.

Lesson 4 • Functions and Reusable Code

Introduces functions as building blocks for modular, maintainable automation scripts. Reusability reduces duplication and simplifies future script updates.

Lesson 5 • Introduction to Scripting Languages

Compares scripting languages commonly used in automation and explains selection criteria. Provides context for choosing the right language for a given automation task.

Lesson 1 • Managing and Monitoring Scheduled Jobs

Teaches job monitoring, failure alerting, and log review for scheduled automation. Ensures students can maintain reliable automation pipelines over time.

Lesson 2 • Dependency and Sequencing Between Jobs

Introduces job dependency chains where one task triggers the next upon completion. Students design multi-step automation sequences with conditional branching.

Lesson 3 • Scheduling Concepts and Models

Explains time-based scheduling models including cron syntax, interval scheduling, and calendar triggers. Establishes the conceptual framework before tool-specific configuration.

Lesson 4 • Configuring System Task Schedulers

Guides students through native OS scheduling tools to automate script execution. Hands-on configuration reinforces scheduling concepts with real system tools.

Lesson 1 • Data Transformation and Cleaning

Covers automated techniques for filtering, normalizing, deduplicating, and reformatting datasets. Clean data is a prerequisite for reliable downstream automation outputs.

Lesson 2 • Automated File Management

Covers scripted file operations including copying, moving, renaming, and deleting files in bulk. Directly applies scripting skills to common administrative automation needs.

Lesson 3 • Data Extraction and Web Scraping

Introduces automated data extraction from web pages and APIs using scripts. Students retrieve and store external data for downstream processing.

Lesson 4 • Automated Reporting and Output Generation

Teaches generating formatted reports, summaries, and exports automatically from processed data. Students produce scheduled reports delivered without manual effort.

Lesson 1 • Web Browser Automation with RPA

Covers automating browser-based workflows including form submission, navigation, and data extraction. Extends RPA skills to the most common enterprise application interface.

Lesson 2 • Testing and Deploying RPA Bots

Covers bot testing methodologies, deployment procedures, and post-deployment monitoring. Students move a bot from development through testing to a production-ready state.

Lesson 3 • RPA Concepts and Architecture

Explains RPA components including bots, orchestrators, and recorders and how they interact. Provides the architectural understanding needed before building any bot.

Lesson 4 • Recording and Mapping UI Interactions

Teaches recording user interface actions and mapping selectors to UI elements reliably. Accurate element identification is the foundation of stable bot behavior.

Lesson 5 • Bot Exception Handling and Resilience

Teaches strategies for catching, logging, and recovering from bot failures gracefully. Resilient bots maintain automation continuity even when unexpected conditions arise.

Lesson 1 • Designing Multi-Step Integration Workflows

Covers designing workflows that pass data across three or more systems with transformations. Students map data fields, handle mismatches, and validate end-to-end data flow.

Lesson 2 • Securing and Governing API Integrations

Addresses credential management, token rotation, and access control for API-based automation. Secure integrations protect organizational data and maintain compliance posture.

Lesson 3 • API Fundamentals for Automation

Explains REST API concepts, authentication methods, and request-response cycles relevant to automation. Provides the technical grounding needed to integrate any API-enabled service.

Lesson 4 • No-Code and Low-Code Workflow Platforms

Introduces visual workflow automation platforms that connect apps without deep coding. Expands automation capability to non-developer roles and rapid prototyping scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Building an Automation Test Suite

Guides students through creating unit, integration, and regression tests for automation workflows. A structured test suite catches regressions before they reach production.

Lesson 2 • Maintaining and Updating Automation

Addresses change management, version control, and scheduled reviews for automation assets. Students develop a maintenance cadence that prevents automation decay over time.

Lesson 3 • Automation Quality Assurance Principles

Establishes QA principles specific to automation including repeatability, accuracy, and resilience. Frames testing as an ongoing discipline rather than a one-time activity.

Lesson 4 • Monitoring Automation in Production

Covers dashboards, alerting, and health checks for live automation workflows. Proactive monitoring reduces mean time to detection when automation fails.

Lesson 1 • Measuring Automation Program Success

Defines KPIs, maturity models, and continuous improvement cycles for automation programs. Students establish measurement systems that demonstrate ongoing value to the organization.

Lesson 2 • Prioritizing and Roadmapping Automation

Introduces scoring models and portfolio management techniques for prioritizing automation initiatives. Students build a phased roadmap that balances quick wins with strategic goals.

Lesson 3 • Building an Automation Business Case

Teaches quantifying automation ROI, cost savings, and productivity gains for stakeholder approval. A compelling business case secures resources and executive sponsorship.

Lesson 4 • Automation Governance Frameworks

Covers policies, standards, and review boards that govern automation development and deployment. Governance prevents ungoverned sprawl and ensures consistent quality across teams.