Switch from Manual QA to Automation Engineer in 8 Weeks

A simple step-by-step plan to help you learn automation, create a demo project, and prepare for your new role.

  • Weekly Hours: 10
  • Estimated Weeks: 8

Phases

Foundation and Tools

Start by learning what test automation is, why it matters, and which tools are commonly used. Get comfortable with basic programming skills and set up your working environment.

2 weeks

  • Understand the role of an Automation Engineer
  • Learn the basics of one programming language (Python or Java)
  • Set up code editor (VS Code) and test framework (Selenium or Playwright)
  • Install and configure automation tools
  • Write simple scripts (print 'Hello, world!', for loops)
  • Download and run test automation tools (install Selenium WebDriver)
  • Navigate code editors (open, save, run code)
  • Run sample tests (Selenium script that opens a website)
  • Intro to Test Automation
  • Beginner Programming Tutorials
  • Tool Setup Guides
  • Official Selenium Docs
  • Create and run a simple script in your chosen language
  • Install and launch Selenium to open a browser window
  • Share screenshot of your working environment setup

Core Automation Skills

Build your automation skills step-by-step. Learn to write, run, and debug simple automated tests. Get hands-on experience working with websites.

2 weeks

  • Write and run basic automated tests
  • Find elements on a web page and interact with them
  • Handle simple test flows (login, submit form)
  • Debug failed tests
  • Use locators to find webpage items (find login button in Selenium)
  • Write assertions (check page title after login)
  • Add waits (wait for page to load)
  • Debug scripts (fix errors, read stack traces)
  • Selenium WebDriver Tutorials
  • Web Automation Practice Sites
  • Debugging Guides
  • Official Documentation
  • Write tests for login and logout flows
  • Pass three test cases with screenshots as proof
  • Show a report of test results (pass/fail)

Showcase Project Build

Apply your skills to a realistic project. Automate key website flows, build out organized test suites, and set up basic reporting. This project will help you demonstrate what you can do.

3 weeks

  • Design test scenarios for a sample web app (signup, search, checkout)
  • Build reusable test scripts in modules
  • Add checks for both happy and unhappy paths
  • Generate and save test reports
  • Build page object classes (Page Object Model for login page)
  • Parametrize test data (test signup with different emails)
  • Organize test suites (group tests by features)
  • Export test reports (HTML file from test run)
  • Sample Web Application
  • Project Templates
  • Test Design Guides
  • Reporting Plugins
  • Automate signup, login, and item search flows on sample app
  • Commit all working tests to a version control system (GitHub)
  • Publish a test report and README documentation
  • Get all tests to pass in a single run

Workflow and Collaboration

Learn how automation fits into team workflows. Practice code sharing, commenting, and working with basic Continuous Integration (CI) for automated test runs.

1 weeks

  • Version control code with commits and pushes (Git)
  • Review feedback and handle simple merge requests
  • Set up basic CI pipeline to run tests on push (GitHub Actions or similar)
  • Write clear test documentation
  • Push code to remote repository (push tests to GitHub)
  • Trigger tests to run automatically (CI pipeline on push event)
  • Write clear comments and usage docs
  • Add status badge to project README
  • Git Version Control Intro
  • CI Setup Tutorial
  • Documentation Writing Guide
  • Sample CI Config Files
  • All tests run automatically on commit (CI badge present)
  • Project has a clear README with instructions
  • Accept and merge a pull request (even your own simple update)

Weekly Plan

Week Focus Why Tasks Deliverables
1 Programming basics and environment setup You need to know the basics before you automate tests. Complete online tutorial on Python or Java basics, Install code editor (VS Code), Install Selenium WebDriver and browser driver, Write and run your first 'Hello, world!' script Working test script that opens a browser, Screenshot of your setup
2 Intro to automation tools and simple test scripts Start using automation tools for real browser interaction. Open a website with Selenium, Find elements by ID and click a button, Write a test that checks page title, Fix a broken test and rerun Simple test for opening and checking a website, Report showing test results
3 Automate core user flows: login, logout, and navigation Core user flows are key to web test automation. Write a login test for demo app (e.g., SauceDemo.com), Write a logout test, Add simple assertion for login success, Create a basic test suite Suite of working login/logout tests, Test report file
4 Test design and error handling Good tests catch mistakes and give helpful feedback. Add assertions for form errors (wrong password), Test page not found and error messages, Use try/except to handle failures, Improve test names and comments Tests that check both happy and unhappy flows, Clear test error reporting
5 Build showcase project base and use Page Object pattern Organize code for future growth, reduce repeated code. Set up sample web app (e.g., pre-made demo site), Create page object classes for login/search pages, Move test steps into methods, Test signup, search, and checkout flows Organized project folder with page object classes, Working automated tests for core app flows
6 Add data-driven tests and expand coverage Test with different data and more cases. Parametrize tests (test with valid and invalid emails), Add search and checkout scenarios, Review and refactor test code, Update test report template Multiple test runs with different data sets, Updated test report
7 Version control and CI basics Teams need shared, trusted test code and automated test runs. Push code to a new GitHub repository, Write a README with setup steps, Set up GitHub Actions workflow to run tests on push, Add CI badge to README GitHub repo with test code and documentation, Passing CI build with badge
8 Review, document, and prepare for job search Present your project and skills to employers. Polish README, add screenshots, Clean and comment your code, Record a video or take screenshots of tests running, Share project link with a friend for feedback Complete showcase project with clear instructions, Demo evidence ready for interviews

Daily Plan

Monday

  • Watch one short programming lesson
  • Practice code sample (for loop, conditionals)
Tuesday

  • Install or update automation tool (Selenium)
  • Follow a tool setup guide
Wednesday

  • Write or debug a single automation test
  • Check test output and save results
Thursday

  • Find new test data or user flows
  • Expand or refactor current test code
Friday

  • Review project progress
  • Write comments and document your code changes

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