A method for storing graphical user interface (GUI) object properties includes: storing GUI object properties for each GUI object for a starting version of an application in an object map; associating the stored GUI object properties for each GUI object with a starting version identifier; determining that at least one of the GUI objects is changed; in response to determining that the at least one GUI object is changed, storing modifications of the GUI object properties for the at least one GUI object in the object map; and associating the modifications of the GUI object properties for the at least one GUI object with a new version identifier of the application. Over time, the object map contains multiple variants of the GUI objects. An automation test tool may use this object map to intelligently select appropriate GUI object version for recognition at script run time.