Course Outline
Transitioning from Manual Reports to Automated Processes
- Analyzing the current manual reporting workflow
- Identifying automation candidates based on frequency, effort, and risk
Preparing the Automation Environment
- Setting up Python, code editors, and virtual environments
- Installing libraries such as pandas, openpyxl, and Selenium
Python Fundamentals and Script Reusability
- Working with variables, conditions, loops, and lists
- Creating simple functions and structuring sequential scripts
- Interpreting and addressing error messages effectively
Managing Files, Paths, and Data Formats
- Handling CSV and Excel file input and output
- Implementing consistent naming conventions, archiving, and date stamping
Data Manipulation using pandas
- Importing data sources into dataframes
- Executing filters, joins, and aggregations
- Cleaning dates, numerical values, and duplicate entries
Generating Reports with openpyxl
- Popping Excel workbooks with generated results
- Applying formatting, formulas, and charts
- Utilizing Excel templates to drive output generation
Validating and Reconciling Outputs
- Performing control total and row count verifications
- Identifying duplicates and statistical outliers
- Establishing quality checkpoints before final release
Utilizing Claude for Code Generation and Skill Creation
- Crafting prompts for automation code generation
- Reviewing and refining AI-generated code
- Packaging reusable skills for team adoption
Web Automation via Selenium and Chrome
- Mastering element location, waiting strategies, and navigation
- Securing logins to internal portals
- Handling pagination, downloads, and file management
Leveraging Power BI and Excel as Internal Sources
- Accessing published reports and exported data
- Navigating shared folders and resolving file lock issues
- Adapting to layout and column changes in source systems
Distributing Reports via Email and WhatsApp
- Sending emails from Gmail using application-specific passwords
- Managing attachments, summaries, and recipient lists
- Creating business messaging templates and managing opt-ins
Orchestrating Workflows with PowerShell
- Executing scripts and capturing their output
- Managing parameters, logging, and exit codes
- Chaining steps into a unified pipeline
Unattended Scheduling via Task Scheduler
- Setting up and configuring scheduled tasks
- Managing service accounts and run-as permissions
- Monitoring execution logs and retry mechanisms
Troubleshooting, Logging, and Security Practices
- Implementing structured logs and error trapping
- Securing credentials and applying the principle of least privilege
- Handling personal and regulated data responsibly
Documentation, Handover, and the Automation Capstone
- Creating process documentation and operational runbooks
- Capstone project: Developing a complete departmental report
- Executing the first scheduled run and conducting a review
Requirements
- No prior programming experience is necessary.
- Comfort with using Windows, Microsoft Excel, and web browsers.
- A solid understanding of the specific report or process intended for automation.
Target Audience
- Staff in business, operations, finance, and administration who manage recurring reporting tasks.
- Team leads and supervisors looking to upskill their teams in these areas.
- Analysts transitioning from manual reporting methods to automated data pipelines.
Testimonials (3)
I understand the basic flow of building a bot from start to finish
Dita Aura Febrian - PT Glostar Indonesia
Course - Integrated RPA for SAP Automation
the template provided. they will come in handy on my day to day duties
Lineo Nchaba - Revenue Services Lesotho
Course - UiPath for Business Analysts
He is very competent, organized, and he loves his job.
