How to Evaluate QTP Expertise: Separating True Skills from Buzzwords
(UPDATED JANUARY 2025)
When it comes to automated testing, QTP (QuickTest Professional)—now known as Micro Focus UFT (Unified Functional Testing)—is one of the most widely recognized tools in the field. Over the years, we’ve worked on numerous test automation projects using QTP, and one thing is clear: claiming “QTP proficiency” on a resume doesn’t necessarily mean someone has hands-on expertise.
As a project manager, I’ve interviewed countless candidates who list QTP as a skill. Some of them genuinely know their stuff, while others might have only watched a couple of YouTube demos or skimmed a few blog posts. If you’re hiring automation testers, it’s important to dig deeper and assess their actual expertise.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how we evaluate candidates at different skill levels—Junior, Intermediate, and Senior—based on their QTP knowledge and capabilities. By the end, you’ll know how to separate the real experts from those who are just dipping their toes into the automation world.
The Importance of Assessing QTP Expertise
Let’s be honest: automation testing tools like QTP/UFT are complex. Mastering them requires more than just recording actions and pressing “play.” From developing robust test scripts to integrating automation frameworks with enterprise systems, a skilled QTP tester can significantly improve the efficiency of your testing process.
On the flip side, someone who overstates their expertise can lead to delays, errors, and even project failures. That’s why asking the right questions and evaluating specific skills is so important during the hiring process.
At
XBOSoft, we use a structured approach to assess QTP candidates, dividing them into three levels: Junior, Intermediate, and Senior. Here’s how we break it down:
Junior QTP Testers: The Beginners
Junior testers are typically just starting their automation journey. They may have used QTP in a classroom setting or experimented with it on small-scale personal projects. At this level, their understanding of the tool is fairly basic, but they should be able to perform some foundational tasks.
What Junior Testers Should Know:
- Installation and Configuration:
- They can install QTP and configure basic settings (e.g., setting up test objects and enabling add-ins).
- Understanding the Workflow:
- They know how QTP works, including how to record actions, play them back, and analyze results.
- Basic Scripting:
- They can record an action, make minor modifications, and replay the script to check functionality.
- Using Checkpoints:
- They’re familiar with adding basic checkpoints (like verifying a page title or object property) to validate expected results.
How to Test Their Knowledge:
Ask them to:
- Explain the steps for setting up QTP and recording their first test case.
- Demonstrate how they would modify a recorded script to test a different input.
- Add a checkpoint to a basic script and explain how it works.
Key Tip: Don’t expect advanced scripting or deep tool knowledge at this level, but look for curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Intermediate QTP Testers: The Practitioners
Intermediate testers have used QTP in real-world projects. While they may not have mastered the tool yet, they’re comfortable handling basic to moderately complex automation tasks.
What Intermediate Testers Should Know:
- Scripting with VBScript:
- They have solid VBScript programming skills and can modify or write scripts from scratch.
- Data-Driven Testing:
- They understand data-driven and parameterized testing, including how to use external data sources like Excel, Oracle, or SQL Server.
- Advanced Checkpoints:
- They know how to use various types of checkpoints (e.g., text, image, database) to validate results automatically.
- Object Repository Management:
- They can manage and manipulate QTP’s object repository, ensuring scripts remain modular and reusable.
- Basic Debugging and Troubleshooting:
- They can debug scripts, identify issues, and apply fixes during execution.
How to Test Their Knowledge:
Ask them to:
- Write a VBScript snippet to automate a simple login process using parameterized inputs.
- Create a script that reads data from an Excel file and uses it in a test case.
- Explain how they would connect QTP to a database and validate test results.
- Show how they’d debug a failing script.
Key Tip: Look for candidates who can explain their thought process and demonstrate hands-on experience. At this level, they should also be familiar with test automation frameworks.
Senior QTP Testers: The Experts
Senior QTP testers are seasoned professionals who have used the tool extensively in complex, real-world projects. They don’t just know how to use QTP—they know when and where it’s appropriate to use it. Many senior testers also manage teams or design automation frameworks.
What Senior Testers Should Know:
- Framework Design:
- They can create custom test automation frameworks to improve reusability, scalability, and maintainability.
- Complex Scripting:
- They can write advanced VBScript code, including conditional logic, loops, and error handling, to control script flow dynamically.
- Strategic Test Planning:
- They can analyze an application to determine which parts should be automated and which are better suited for manual testing.
- Integration with Other Tools:
- They know how to integrate QTP with external systems or tools (e.g., using .NET or Java for APIs).
- Accurate Estimation:
- They can estimate the time and resources required to automate specific test scenarios.
- Database Validation:
- They can write SQL queries to validate actual results against expected outcomes.
How to Test Their Knowledge:
Ask them to:
- Design an automation framework for a hypothetical application, explaining their approach.
- Write a script that handles complex conditional flows, such as a shopping cart with multiple discount rules.
- Provide examples of when they decided not to automate a specific scenario and explain their reasoning.
- Discuss a past project where they integrated QTP with external systems.
Key Tip: Senior testers should demonstrate not only technical expertise but also strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Key Questions to Ask During Interviews
When evaluating QTP testers at any level, ask specific, scenario-based questions that require them to explain or demonstrate their knowledge. For example:
- “How would you handle dynamic objects in QTP?”
- “What’s the difference between a shared and local object repository, and when would you use each?”
- “Can you walk us through your process for debugging a failing script?”
Bonus Tip: If they claim to have advanced skills, challenge them with real-world scenarios like automating cross-browser testing or integrating QTP with Jenkins for CI/CD pipelines.
The Role of Test Automation Services in Building Skilled Teams
Hiring skilled QTP testers is just one piece of the automation puzzle. To truly succeed with test automation, you need a comprehensive strategy that includes the right tools, frameworks, and processes.
At
XBOSoft, we specialize in helping teams optimize their test automation efforts. From selecting the best tools to building reusable frameworks, our experts have the knowledge and experience to take your testing to the next level.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Fooled by Buzzwords
Claiming “QTP proficiency” on a resume doesn’t necessarily mean someone has hands-on expertise. By understanding the different levels of QTP testers—Junior, Intermediate, and Senior—you can ask the right questions and evaluate candidates based on their actual capabilities.
Automation testing is all about precision and efficiency, so make sure you hire testers who can deliver both. And if you need help building a top-notch automation strategy,
XBOSoft is here to help!
most widely recognized tools in the field. Over the years, we’ve worked on numerous test automation projects using QTP, and one thing is clear: claiming “QTP proficiency” on a resume doesn’t necessarily mean someone has hands-on expertise.
As a project manager, I’ve interviewed countless candidates who list QTP as a skill. Some of them genuinely know their stuff, while others might have only watched a couple of YouTube demos or skimmed a few blog posts. If you’re hiring automation testers, it’s important to dig deeper and assess their actual expertise.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how we evaluate candidates at different skill levels—Junior, Intermediate, and Senior—based on their QTP knowledge and capabilities. By the end, you’ll know how to separate the real experts from those who are just dipping their toes into the automation world.
The Importance of Assessing QTP Expertise
Let’s be honest: automation testing tools like QTP/UFT are complex. Mastering them requires more than just recording actions and pressing “play.” From developing robust test scripts to integrating automation frameworks with enterprise systems, a skilled QTP tester can significantly improve the efficiency of your testing process.
On the flip side, someone who overstates their expertise can lead to delays, errors, and even project failures. That’s why asking the right questions and evaluating specific skills is so important during the hiring process.
At
XBOSoft, we use a structured approach to assess QTP candidates, dividing them into three levels: Junior, Intermediate, and Senior. Here’s how we break it down:
Junior QTP Testers: The Beginners
Junior testers are typically just starting their automation journey. They may have used QTP in a classroom setting or experimented with it on small-scale personal projects. At this level, their understanding of the tool is fairly basic, but they should be able to perform some foundational tasks.
What Junior Testers Should Know:
- Installation and Configuration:
- They can install QTP and configure basic settings (e.g., setting up test objects and enabling add-ins).
- Understanding the Workflow:
- They know how QTP works, including how to record actions, play them back, and analyze results.
- Basic Scripting:
- They can record an action, make minor modifications, and replay the script to check functionality.
- Using Checkpoints:
- They’re familiar with adding basic checkpoints (like verifying a page title or object property) to validate expected results.
How to Test Their Knowledge:
Ask them to:
- Explain the steps for setting up QTP and recording their first test case.
- Demonstrate how they would modify a recorded script to test a different input.
- Add a checkpoint to a basic script and explain how it works.
Key Tip: Don’t expect advanced scripting or deep tool knowledge at this level, but look for curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Intermediate QTP Testers: The Practitioners
Intermediate testers have used QTP in real-world projects. While they may not have mastered the tool yet, they’re comfortable handling basic to moderately complex automation tasks.
What Intermediate Testers Should Know:
- Scripting with VBScript:
- They have solid VBScript programming skills and can modify or write scripts from scratch.
- Data-Driven Testing:
- They understand data-driven and parameterized testing, including how to use external data sources like Excel, Oracle, or SQL Server.
- Advanced Checkpoints:
- They know how to use various types of checkpoints (e.g., text, image, database) to validate results automatically.
- Object Repository Management:
- They can manage and manipulate QTP’s object repository, ensuring scripts remain modular and reusable.
- Basic Debugging and Troubleshooting:
- They can debug scripts, identify issues, and apply fixes during execution.
How to Test Their Knowledge:
Ask them to:
- Write a VBScript snippet to automate a simple login process using parameterized inputs.
- Create a script that reads data from an Excel file and uses it in a test case.
- Explain how they would connect QTP to a database and validate test results.
- Show how they’d debug a failing script.
Key Tip: Look for candidates who can explain their thought process and demonstrate hands-on experience. At this level, they should also be familiar with test automation frameworks.
Senior QTP Testers: The Experts
Senior QTP testers are seasoned professionals who have used the tool extensively in complex, real-world projects. They don’t just know how to use QTP—they know when and where it’s appropriate to use it. Many senior testers also manage teams or design automation frameworks.
What Senior Testers Should Know:
- Framework Design:
- They can create custom test automation frameworks to improve reusability, scalability, and maintainability.
- Complex Scripting:
- They can write advanced VBScript code, including conditional logic, loops, and error handling, to control script flow dynamically.
- Strategic Test Planning:
- They can analyze an application to determine which parts should be automated and which are better suited for manual testing.
- Integration with Other Tools:
- They know how to integrate QTP with external systems or tools (e.g., using .NET or Java for APIs).
- Accurate Estimation:
- They can estimate the time and resources required to automate specific test scenarios.
- Database Validation:
- They can write SQL queries to validate actual results against expected outcomes.
How to Test Their Knowledge:
Ask them to:
- Design an automation framework for a hypothetical application, explaining their approach.
- Write a script that handles complex conditional flows, such as a shopping cart with multiple discount rules.
- Provide examples of when they decided not to automate a specific scenario and explain their reasoning.
- Discuss a past project where they integrated QTP with external systems.
Key Tip: Senior testers should demonstrate not only technical expertise but also strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Key Questions to Ask During Interviews
When evaluating QTP testers at any level, ask specific, scenario-based questions that require them to explain or demonstrate their knowledge. For example:
- “How would you handle dynamic objects in QTP?”
- “What’s the difference between a shared and local object repository, and when would you use each?”
- “Can you walk us through your process for debugging a failing script?”
Bonus Tip: If they claim to have advanced skills, challenge them with real-world scenarios like automating cross-browser testing or integrating QTP with Jenkins for CI/CD pipelines.
The Role of Test Automation Services in Building Skilled Teams
Hiring skilled QTP testers is just one piece of the automation puzzle. To truly succeed with test automation, you need a comprehensive strategy that includes the right tools, frameworks, and processes.
At
XBOSoft, we specialize in helping teams optimize their test automation efforts. From selecting the best tools to building reusable frameworks, our experts have the knowledge and experience to take your testing to the next level.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Fooled by Buzzwords
Claiming “QTP proficiency” on a resume doesn’t necessarily mean someone has hands-on expertise. By understanding the different levels of QTP testers—Junior, Intermediate, and Senior—you can ask the right questions and evaluate candidates based on their actual capabilities.
Automation testing is all about precision and efficiency, so make sure you hire testers who can deliver both. And if you need help building a top-notch automation strategy, XBOSoft is here to help!
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