Software Engineering | 05 Jul 2023 | 23 min
Have you heard of “user acceptance testing”? We are sure your answer would be “Yes” if you are involved in any part of the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle).
When it comes to this type of testing software, as the name suggests, the user is the key element. The users are the people who’ll use the application, or the client for whom the application is developed. So, basically UAT is performed by the client or end-user.
So, it’s vital to make clients or users a part of the whole quality strategy in the software development as well as the usability testing process.
We know that each project is different and has different requirements. And so, in this blog, I am sharing some general recommendations about UAT phase. I will also walk you through the types and tools of UAT. Let’s get started!
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a vital part of the ETL testing process. It is the final stage of any software project where the end users, or their representatives, test the product and approve it before going live. You can also simply define it as the critical stage of any project where the final product is tested and approved by the client before it is released to production.
Once QA testing is done on testing instances like Stage and Alpha, the product is deployed on a separate testing instance/environment like Beta for UAT and is shared with the client for user acceptance. The main purpose of acceptance testing cycle is to validate the end-to-end business flow. During this phase, the client might also provide feedback, which can be included in the current release or can be prioritized and planned for future release.
Now, what are the main objectives of UAT? Let’s take a look at those.
UAT should be well-planned, structured, and documented as it is a critical phase of system implementation projects.
There are three basic questions for UAT that define the entire objective for user testing:
1. Have all functionalities been specified?
This question, although being handled during the initial phase of the project, needs to be checked by the Quality Assurance team during UAT for final confirmation.
2. Does specified functionalities work?
Although the main aim is to see if the system works in business scenarios, there is still a need to check if the system works correctly.
3. Do functionalities work in business scenarios?
User testing entails developing certain business scenarios which the system is expected to deal with and then running them against it.
The other objectives of the UAT process are:
Now, what are the prerequisites?
Before giving the product for UAT, we need to make sure that the following pointers are in place:
Let’s explore the UAT process.
The user/client can begin with the UAT process once the product is developed. The time required for UAT may differ depending on how the user’s/client’s team proceeds with software testing.
The following steps are performed during any type of UAT:
After this, the product should be ready to release with no open critical defect.
Now that you are familiar with the process, let’s delve into the types.
User Acceptance Testing is classified into certain types, each fulfilling one clear purpose. Here are the most common ones:
Alpha Testing takes place within the development environment. It is done by a selected group of end users or internal stakeholders. It aims to highlight major issues and collect early feedback on the system’s usability and functionality.
Beta Testing involves a bigger group of external users who test the system in a real-world environment. The aim is to gather feedback on the system’s performance, identify bugs, and analyze its suitability for a larger audience.
Blackbox Testing is another crucial type of User Acceptance Testing. It focuses on validating the system’s functionality without considering its internal workings.
Contract Acceptance Testing is done to ensure that the system aligns with the contractual agreements and meets the specified requirements. It focuses on validating whether the delivered product aligns with the agreed-upon terms.
Regulatory Acceptance Testing is done to ensure that the system complies with industry-specific regulations, standards, and legal requirements. This type of testing is vital in sectors like healthcare, finance, and government. There, adherence to rigorous regulations is paramount.
Operational Acceptance Testing gauges whether the system is ready to be deployed and operated in its intended environment. It aims to assess the system’s performance, stability, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Now, let’s take a closer look at two popular types: Beta Testing and Blackbox Testing.
One of the most popular types of UAT is Beta Testing. This involves releasing the software to a bigger group of external users. They represent the target audience or customer base.
Let’s dive deeper into the realm of Beta Testing:
What’s more, it builds a sense of ownership and engagement with the customer.
It focuses on evaluating the system’s functionality and behavior. This is sans considering its internal structure or code.
Read on to learn more about Blackbox Testing:
Beta Testing and Blackbox Testing are fundamental components of User Acceptance Testing. They contribute to the total quality and success of software projects.
By incorporating these types of UAT into your testing strategy, you can ensure a robust and user-friendly software product. This will be one that meets the expectations of your target audience!
Onwards to UAT tools!
To streamline and improve the User Acceptance Testing process, various tools and frameworks are available. Here is a list of a few popular ones:
UAT is a crucial phase in the software development lifecycle, ensuring that the system meets the needs and expectations of its end users. By harnessing different types of UAT and using the appropriate tools, your organization can identify and fix issues before the software is released into production.
Whether it’s alpha testing, beta testing, or using tools like TestRail, JIRA, Selenium, or LambdaTest, opting for User Acceptance Testing is vital for delivering high-quality software and seeing those wonderful smiles on your end users’ faces!
Remember, choosing the correct type of User Acceptance Testing and zeroing in on the appropriate tools is necessary for great software delivery and customer satisfaction.
Also read – User aligned context driven testing.
Now, let’s take a look at risks in UAT.
Before you hand over the product to the user for UAT, make sure to work on the following points:
Try to do a test run together to avoid the delay. Else, make sure to take progress reports from the users at regular intervals.
Communicate to the user and decide the priority and type of issue that should block acceptance. Anything outside the scope and low priority issues should be prioritized for future releases.
Well, it’s time for me to wrap up my ideas…
UAT is an important stage of almost every project and keeping it in the forefront of your planning can really yield dividends, particularly in managing risk. We have covered enough points here which I trust will help you to understand UAT.
Reach out to us if you’d like to share your feedback about this blog and visit us at Nitor Infotech.
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