IPA IP 2021 Question 11
A question IPA Japan published in 令和3年度 ITパスポート試験 公開問題 問11, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.
Which of the following is the most appropriate characteristic of RPA (Robotic Process Automation)?
Explanation
Routine work done on a PC, such as entering and updating order data — RPA is software that copies a person’s fixed steps on a computer.
RPA (Robotic Process Automation) uses a software robot, not a physical one, to operate applications on a PC the way a clerk does: opening screens, copying data between systems, entering and updating records. It follows steps defined in advance, so it pays off on work that is repeated in large volumes and always runs the same way, such as entering order data. It does not judge situations it was not told about.
Answer (d)
Why not others:
- •(a) — prototyping parts in a factory is physical, non-routine work; it needs people and machine tools, not a software robot
- •(b) — mass production of parts in a factory is automated by industrial robots and FA, which are hardware, not RPA
- •(c) — choosing what to do according to the situation after a system error is non-routine judgement; RPA runs only the fixed steps it was given
Key rule: RPA = software robots for routine, rule-based office work on a PC; physical work in a factory belongs to industrial robots and FA.
Business Industry · AI-written, may contain errors
This question comes from the past questions IPA Japan publishes, translated into English by ITPEC Practice. ITPEC Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with IPA or ITPEC. See the original paper (PDF) or Report an issue.