Are the Projects Based on Manual or Automation Testing?

Introduction

Have you ever asked yourself, “Will I actually be testing real applications during my QA training? And if so, is it manual or automation testing?” If this question is on your mind, you're not alone. In today’s fast-paced software industry, companies expect more than just theoretical knowledge. That’s where software quality assurance career training with live projects becomes a game-changer. These projects simulate real testing scenarios and teach you the actual workflow you’d face in a QA role. But what exactly do these projects cover? Are they focused on manual testing, automation testing, or a blend of both? Let’s explore this in depth.

Why Live Projects Matter in QA Certification

Before diving into whether manual or automation testing is covered, let’s understand why live projects are essential in the first place.

1. Real-World Experience

You learn how to test real applications, not just theory from a slide deck.

2. Skill Confidence

You gain confidence using QA tools, writing test cases, executing them, and reporting bugs.

3. Interview Readiness

When an interviewer asks, “Have you worked on any real projects?”, you’ll have a clear, confident answer.

 According to the 2024 QA Job Trends Report, 78% of hiring managers prefer candidates who’ve participated in hands-on projects during training.

That’s why choosing a program that includes live projects in QA is critical. But let’s now get to the real question:

Manual Testing Projects in QA Certification

Manual testing is still the foundation of software testing. It helps you understand the process, mindset, and workflow of a tester.

 What is Covered in Manual Testing Projects?

Live manual testing projects will teach you:

• How to understand a software requirement specification (SRS)

• Writing test scenarios and test cases from scratch

• Executing test cases manually

• Logging bugs in tools like Jira or Bugzilla

• Performing functional, regression, smoke, and UAT testing
  
  

 Example Manual Testing Project

Let’s say you’re assigned a live project to test an e-commerce website.

You will:

• Write test cases for the login and checkout process

• Execute them on multiple browsers

• Identify and report bugs to your mock team

• Track bug status through a defect management tool

This approach prepares you to think like a tester, analyze behavior, and catch real user-facing issues.

Automation Testing Projects in QA Certification

Once the manual foundation is built, most modern training programs move on to automation testing.

 What Is Included in Automation Projects?

Automation testing projects focus on:

• Writing test scripts in tools like Selenium WebDriver

• Using programming languages such as Java or Python

• Building test automation frameworks like TestNG, Maven, or Cucumber

• Running test scripts across browsers (cross-browser testing)

• Generating reports with tools like Extent Reports

 Example Automation Testing Project

Assume you're working on a hotel booking application.

You’ll:

• Automate the login and booking flows

• Use Selenium with Java to interact with the web elements

• Execute the test scripts on Chrome and Firefox

• Validate whether the automation scripts run successfully

• Capture screenshots and logs for failures
  
  

This project shows your ability to scale repetitive testing using scripts, which is a critical skill in automation QA roles.

So, Are QA Projects Manual or Automation Based?

The simple answer: Both.

Here’s how most structured Quality Assurance certification programs break it down:

By the end of the course, you will have worked on at least two to three projects, covering both testing types. This dual-exposure is what makes a QA certification with live projects stand out.

How Projects Are Assigned in Training

Each project in your certification is aligned with a real industry workflow. Here’s a look at how it unfolds:

 Step 1: Project Briefing

You’ll be given project requirements just like in a real QA job.

 Step 2: Test Documentation

Write test scenarios, test cases, and test data based on the provided SRS.

 Step 3: Manual Execution

Start with manual testing, log issues, and share daily status reports.

 Step 4: Automation Setup

Once manual tests are approved, start writing automation scripts for them.

 Step 5: Reporting & Handover

Use tools like Jenkins, Git, or TestNG to generate and share reports.

This structure ensures you’re trained like a working QA professional not just a learner.

QA Tools Used in Projects

Live projects are where you get to use real-world tools. Here's a list of what you might use during manual and automation projects:

 Manual Testing Tools:

• Jira – Bug tracking and task management

• TestLink – Test case management

• Excel/Google Sheets – Simple test documentation
  
  

 Automation Testing Tools:

• Selenium WebDriver – Browser automation

• TestNG – Test management and execution

• Maven – Build management

• Cucumber – BDD framework

• Git – Version control

• Jenkins – CI/CD pipeline integration

By the end of training, you’ll be comfortable using most of these tools in a team-based environment.

Real-World Benefits of Manual + Automation Projects

1. Balanced Skillset

You become confident in both exploratory testing and test automation.

2. Higher Job Opportunities

Most job listings ask for both manual and automation knowledge. In 2025, over 63% of QA job descriptions mention “manual + automation experience preferred.” That’s why choosing software quality assurance training that covers both is critical so you're fully equipped to meet current hiring demands.

3. Better Salary Range

QA engineers with both skill sets can command 15%–25% higher salaries.

4. Interview Advantage

You’ll be able to talk through real projects using testing vocabulary that resonates with recruiters and technical managers.

Student Testimonials – Real Feedback from Learners

“The live project gave me everything I needed: confidence, tools, and team exposure. I was testing real applications, not just mock-ups.”
— Sneha P., QA Analyst (Certified in 2024)

“I had zero experience in QA. But after working on both manual and automation live projects during training, I cracked my first job interview.”
— Michael R., Test Engineer

These are the outcomes that show the value of including hands-on projects with both testing types.

Tips to Get the Most from QA Live Projects

 Tip 1: Participate Actively

Treat the project like a real job. Communicate regularly with your mock team and instructor.

 Tip 2: Document Everything

From test plans to defect logs, keep clean records. It helps in interviews.

 Tip 3: Ask Questions

Clarify doubts during sprints, walkthroughs, and defect triage sessions.

 Tip 4: Practice Beyond Class

Try automating extra test cases or replicate the project setup on your own system.

What You’ll Showcase in Your Resume

Once you've completed the QA certification live projects, here’s what your resume might include:

 Project Highlights:

• Tested a banking web app manually (Login, Transaction, Reports)

• Logged bugs using Jira with priority/severity details

• Automated test cases using Selenium WebDriver + Java + TestNG

• Implemented automation framework and scheduled runs via Jenkins

 Tools & Technologies Section:

• Manual Testing: Test case design, execution, bug reporting

• Tools: Jira, TestLink, Selenium, Maven, Git, Jenkins

• Languages: Java, SQL (for backend validation)

• Frameworks: Page Object Model, Data-Driven Testing

This gives employers a clear view of what you can bring to the table.

Key Takeaways

• Live projects in a QA certification program typically include both manual and automation testing.

• You will start with manual fundamentals and gradually shift to automation scripting and framework development.

• These projects simulate real industry experience, making you job-ready.

• You’ll work with tools like Jira, Selenium, TestNG, and Jenkins, gaining full-cycle QA exposure.

• Projects are structured to follow the actual QA lifecycle, giving you a true-to-job experience.

Conclusion

If you’re serious about a career in software testing, don't settle for theory alone. Choose a program that gives you real live projects in both manual and automation testing. With a dev training plan on software quality assurance, you gain hands-on experience that truly matters. Because when the interview begins, they ask, “What real-world testing experience do you have?” you won’t have to hesitate.