What Is User Acceptance Testing and Why Is it so Important?

Have you ever heard the term “User Acceptability Testing?” I’m afraid the response for many reading this piece will be “No.” 

UAT should be more frequently discussed than other popular testing methods. Even if you’ve heard the word before, do you know what user acceptability testing is, what it’s used for, and why your company should care?

Again, the answer to the preceding questions is likely “No.” This post is our attempt to correct the problem. To begin, we will define “user acceptance testing.” We shall not only determine the phrase but also go above and beyond.

You will learn why your enterprise needs user acceptance testing and what the other testing procedures miss. We’ll move over to the “how” part of the blog, providing a glimpse of steps you can follow to get your enterprise running with UAT. 

So, without any further ado, let’s get started; 

A Quick Overview of User Acceptance Testing

Let’s start by learning about user acceptability testing and the function it plays—or should play—in the software development process. 

But it’s hard to grasp something before you know what the phrase means, so that’s our first step.

The Definition

When defining terms, we typically adopt one of two ways. 

Either we use the “divide and conquer” technique, breaking the term down into its constituent elements, defining each one separately, and then combining their meanings to build a cohesive definition for the whole. 

Or we look for existing definitions and condense and simplify them. 

Today, I’m taking the latter approach.

User acceptance testing (UAT) is the last phase of the software testing process. During UAT, actual software users test the software to ensure it can handle required tasks in real-world scenarios, according to specifications- Techopedia.

The Importance of the User in User Acceptance Testing

As the name implies, the user is the most critical aspect of this testing. The users are the ones who will use the program regularly, if not every day. As a result, it is critical to include users in the overall quality plan for the software development process.

This is where UAT comes in. This sort of software testing service, more than any other, prioritizes the demands of the consumers. 

Some of the questions it aims to answer are as follows:

• Is the program usable by the users?
• Is the application behaving as expected?
• Is the program able to solve the users’ problems?

So, user acceptance testing focuses on the user aspect more than the other testing types. But you might wonder, most testing types do the same, so why do we need UAT?

Why are Other Testing Types Not Enough?

You may be wondering if user acceptability testing is essential. After all, there are several sorts of testing—manual and automated. The other form of testing that comes to most people’s minds is unit testing. 

Integration testing, like functional testing, is a strong second-place competitor. 

I’m sure you can think of a slew of other forms of testing. 

After you’ve exhausted your memory/knowledge, you may always go to Wikipedia to learn about more forms of tests than you thought existed.

• So there are several forms of testing. 
• But do we need another? 
• Aren’t these other sorts of testing sufficient?

The answers to the above questions are “Yes” and “No,” respectively.

There are several sorts of tests since there are numerous testing requirements. 

You can’t usually substitute one kind with another. 

Integration tests cannot be used in place of unit tests since they serve distinct goals. 

Sure, your circumstance may favor one form of test over the others. Unit tests need to be more appropriate for your application. That would seem exceedingly implausible to me, but it may be true. However, no other testing methods can compensate if your case necessitates unit tests.

Initiating the User Acceptance Testing Process

Now it’s time to provide you with some broad principles for user acceptability testing in your business. 

We’ll accomplish so by guiding you through the five stages below.

1. Define the goals for testing

First and foremost, you must identify and document the criteria you will use to determine whether a piece of software is complete. This checklist form is frequently referred to as “Definition of Done,” a term popularised by scrum. 

It is critical for the team that everyone agrees on what “done” entails.

2. Define requirements for each feature

Each feature you wish to test should have its criteria. User stories are more likely to be collected in modern software businesses. The specific objects and media for these criteria may differ. Post-it notes on a whiteboard or a sophisticated project management solution may be used. You must document the requirements for each application’s intended functionalities.

3. Create test cases

It’s time to write the test cases for each feature based on the Definition of Done and the functionality requirements. A test case is, in a nutshell, a series of steps with expected outcomes. Each test case focuses on a single application usage scenario. It generally includes a sequence of tasks the user—or its representative—can conduct to see if the software operated as expected.

4. Initiate the tests

Once the test cases are in place, the following step is to run the tests. The tester will perform the stated activities for each test case, documenting the outcomes. If the user discovers a fault, it must be corrected immediately. The user then re-runs the test.

5. Get the client’s approval.

Finally, the aforementioned proverbial thumbs-up is required. When everything is functioning well, the user/client/customer representative will sign off, confirming that the program fulfills their requirements and is ready for usage.

What are the Different Types of User Acceptance Testing?

Now that you understand what acceptance testing is and isn’t, let’s look at the many UAT tests you may conduct.

• Alpha Testing

Alpha testing detects potential problems and defects in your program before releasing it to the public. The goal is to replicate real users. Therefore testers are charged with doing routine actions that typical users would perform. The development team often conducts these tests in a lab setting.

• Testing in Beta

Real, everyday individuals conduct beta testing. An actual customer using the product in a “real-world” setting, i.e., outside of a lab, in the setting(s) where it would typically be used if it were commercially available. The program is only available to a limited number of users for a short period. Input from them on the quality and functionality of the product is vital.

• Contract Testing

Contract acceptance testing aims to test your software against the specifications and criteria agreed upon in your contract. The developers create the contract’s acceptance criteria to determine the specifications that must be met in the finished product.

• Regulation Acceptance Testing 

Regulation acceptance testing analyzes the software to ensure it complies with rules overseeing your industry.

• Operational Acceptance Testing

Operational acceptance testing ensures that the software’s procedures are in place and can be utilized efficiently. Backup plans, user experience, upkeep procedures, security assessments, and so on are all part of this.

Enhance Your Product with User Acceptance Testing Now

There are several methods of testing in modern software development. They are all vital because they fulfill diverse functions. However, just a few of these are required in all cases.

One of those few is user acceptability testing. It meets a demand that no other sort of testing can. Nonetheless, it is frequently eclipsed by other, more well-known sorts of testing.