The Automation Body of Knowledge is a tool-independent skill set designed to help software test automation professionals address automation challenges that are present in the world of software testing. Automated Software Testing is a discipline that is separate from Manual Software Testing, and must be treated as such. The ABOK acknowledges this, and provides engineers with a way to assess, improve, and better market their test automation skills more effectively than tool-specific benchmarks can do alone. This body of knowledge may also be used by organizations as specific criteria for more effectively assessing resources and establishing career development tracks. Not every automation engineer is required to be proficient in every one of the ABOK skill categories, but knowledge of the different skill categories is essential in the continued improvement, growth and development. It is recommended that each test automation effort, however, have a team that represents most, if not all of these skills, whether the team is composed of one or many resources.
The Skill categories are listed below, and may be clicked on to get a summary of each category. Skill categories 1 through 7 (macroscopic) include skill concentrations for automated test leads, while skills 8 through 12 (microscopic) include skill concentrations for automated test engineers. Given the state of many software projects, the Test Lead depends on the Automation Engineer for answers regarding automation planning, therefore the Automation Engineer may also want to consider a concentration in skills 1 through 7 as well.
The Automation Body of Knowledge is a tool-independent skill set designed to help software test automation professionals address automation challenges that are present in the world of software testing. Automated Software Testing is a discipline that is separate from Manual Software Testing, and must be treated as such. The ABOK acknowledges this, and provides engineers with a way to assess, improve, and better market their test automation skills more effectively than tool-specific benchmarks can do alone. This body of knowledge may also be used by organizations as specific criteria for more effectively assessing resources and establishing career development tracks. Not every automation engineer is required to be proficient in every one of the ABOK skill categories, but knowledge of the different skill categories is essential in the continued improvement, growth and development. It is recommended that each test automation effort, however, have a team that represents most, if not all of these skills, whether the team is composed of one or many resources.