Overview of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Essentials
User acceptance testing (UAT) is a critical phase in the software development lifecycle, ensuring that the application meets the business requirements. This quick guide covers essential user acceptance testing tools and provides a comprehensive UAT checklist to help streamline the process. We'll explore various UAT types, including beta testing and alpha testing, along with UAT best practices to ensure thorough test execution. Learn how to utilize a UAT template, create testing scenarios, and implement defect tracking for smooth validation in a UAT environment. Stay on track with the right tools and processes for effective User acceptance testing.
The Importance of UAT
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Identifying Bugs in the Development Process: Once software goes through Unit, Integration, and system tests, UAT is necessary. This testing ensures that any bugs left during the development process are identified before the product is released to end users.
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Addressing Requirements Gaps: There can be a condition where software developed by going through an SRS document does not meet the client’s expectations. What the client wants may be missing in the software. This is because requirement changes during a project may not be communicated effectively. User acceptance testing helps to confirm that the software meets the acceptance criteria as defined by the client.
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Verifying Customer Satisfaction: Once system testing is completed, UAT is the customer's demand for satisfaction with the system's functionality and whether the system works according to the requirement. User acceptance testing ensures that the system aligns with the client’s needs before it is deployed in a real-time environment.
Understanding the Concept of User Acceptance Testing
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a process to check whether the system accepts a user's requirements. It's performed when actual users interact with the system. This testing comes after the Unit Test → Integration Test → System Test → Acceptance Test in the process. The UAT process is akin to another analogy, such as manufacturing pens. During the production of a ballpoint pen, the cap, the body, the tail, the clip, and the ink cartridge are combined to produce a complete ballpoint pen. Each component is tested to ensure that the pen remains functional. Once the pen is fully integrated, a system test is performed. Afterward, the acceptance test confirms that the final pen is in working condition and ready for customers.
In user acceptance testing, you evaluate your app's usability, functionality, and design by having real users test it and verify whether it is user-friendly and capable of handling tasks in real-world conditions.
To ensure a thorough UAT process, consider the following:
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Follow a User Acceptance Testing checklist.
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Use User Acceptance Testing tools for efficient management.
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Utilize a UAT template to standardize the process.
You can explore more about user acceptance testing types, such as beta testing and alpha testing, to better understand various testing approaches and how they contribute to a successful UAT. Don't forget to follow UAT best practices, track defects, and document testing scenarios and acceptance criteria to ensure a seamless testing experience.
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Who Performs UAT?
User acceptance testing (UAT) is typically performed by both the client and the end-users to ensure that the requirements are accurately communicated and executed.
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Client: The software stakeholders, such as project managers, business analysts, or product owners, generally carry out UAT to ensure the system aligns with business requirements.
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End-users: The actual users of the software, those who will interact with the application regularly, conduct the testing to verify that the system is user-friendly and meets their needs.
The user is anyone who uses the application, even if not daily, at least often. It’s essential to involve users in the UAT process to ensure the software meets their expectations within the development lifecycle.
When is it Performed?
UAT is carried out after the system test phase. It is the final step before the software moves to the production environment or market and before the stakeholders accept the product.
UAT is the most powerful and efficient testing technique to confirm that the developed software meets all the requirements before being released. This is where UAT proves invaluable. Unlike other forms of testing, it places the users' needs at the center. Some critical questions UAT will help answer include:
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Are users ready to use the application?
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Does the software work as expected?
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Does the utility solve the user's problem?
At this point, you might wonder:
"This seems important, but do we really need it? We already have several types of testing in place—aren’t they enough?"
That’s a valid question. The quick answer is no.
The slightly longer answer involves the fact that UAT ensures the testing is aligned with real user needs and expectations. Using BDD (Behavior-Driven Development) in the UAT process helps secure additional efforts, reduce waste of time and resources, and prioritize what is most important.
Exploring Automated Tools for UAT Testing
There are a large number of tools in the market used to do User Acceptance Testing; some of them are mentioned below:
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Fitness Tool: Fitness Tool is a valuable Java tool as a testing engine. It helps to create tests and record all their results for a test in a table. Users of the tool enter formatted input, and tests are created automatically. Then, execute tests, and the output is returned to the user. This tool is often used within the UAT process to verify acceptance criteria.
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Watir: Watir is a toolkit to automate browser-based tests during user acceptance testing. Ruby is a programming language for inter-process communication between Ruby and Internet Explorer, making it a good choice for automating tests in a UAT Environment.
Different types of User Acceptance Testing
Alpha Testing
Alpha testing is executed to identify all possible issues/bugs before releasing a product to every data user or the public. It simulates real users by using black-box and white-box testing techniques. The primary function is to carry out tasks executed by a typical user. This is carried out in a developed or lab environment where a product is developed. The user of a product is the internal team member of an organization. Alpha testing is typically the first phase of user acceptance testing before moving to the next stage.
Beta Testing
Beta testing is the type in which users of software or applications are real users. This application is tested in a natural environment and is considered a form of the external user acceptance test. The beta version of the software was released to a limited number of users when tested in a real-time environment with the help of real users to obtain feedback on product quality. Beta testing reduces failures and risks and improves product quality through customer validation. It is a final test before shipping a product to the customers. In this type of testing, getting direct feedback from users is a significant benefit. It is necessary to test a product in a real-time environment for accurate results and user feedback gathering.
Parameters in an Acceptance Testing
The parameters mentioned below should be available in any user acceptance testing process:
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Report Identifier
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Summary of Results
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Variations
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Recommendations
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Summary of a To-do list
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Approval decision
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How to Effectively Implement User Acceptance Testing
Criteria Required for UAT
The criteria required to be specified for user acceptance testing (UAT) include:
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Business requirements must be available.
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Application code must be developed according to the requirements for the functionality of the application.
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It is necessary to complete the unit, integration, and system testing before adopting UAT.
Pre-requisites for Adopting UAT
Before adopting UAT, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
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The only cosmetic error should be acceptable before this test.
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Execute regression testing successfully without any significant defects.
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If there are any defects, they should be fixed and tested before the process begins.
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The UAT environment should be ready with the relevant test data.
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The team should receive confirmation from the system testing team, either in the form of a sign-off email or another written format, stating that the system is ready for UAT execution.
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Entry Criteria for Testing
The prerequisites are the following:
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Accepted business requirements must be available.
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The application must be fully developed.
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Unit, integration, and system tests must be completed.
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System integration tests can be accomplished with no showstoppers, excessive severity, or medium severity defects.
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Regression testing should be carried out with no critical bugs open.
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Cosmetic errors can be acceptable.
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All the bugs mentioned need to be fixed and tested.
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The requirement traceability matrix needs to be performed and updated.
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UAT environment with applicable test data must be available.
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A confirmation mail (sign-off) from the system tester team is needed to confirm that the application is ready for UAT execution.
Exit Criteria (Post requisites) of UAT
The following are the exit criteria for user acceptance testing:
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No showstopper, open, or severe/moderate defects.
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Smooth flow of the business process.
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UAT sign-off meeting with stakeholders.
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Benefits of Effective User Acceptance Testing
Below are the benefits of User Acceptance Testing (UAT):
- Ensures the System Meets Requirements
If internal, UAT is executed before delivery to the customer. It ensures that the system works according to requirements and that all the functions are correctly defined as per the acceptance criteria.- Satisfies the End Product
User acceptance testing satisfies the end product, confirming that it meets the expected quality and functionality.- Verifies Product Alignment with Expectations
It helps identify that the end product works according to expectations, ensuring alignment with the original business requirements.- Delivers a Bug-Free Product
UAT testing helps deliver the end product without any bugs, minimizing the risk of post-release issues.- Ensures the Product is Ready for Users
To deliver the end product in proper working condition to the user, ensuring it is ready for deployment in the UAT environment.
UAT ensures that all the functionalities an end product should possess are satisfied, confirming that the product is ready for release.
How Does the Process of User Acceptance Testing Work
Users of a system or a system execute user acceptance testing (UAT). It mainly happens at a client location and is referred to as beta testing. Once a system or application is ready for UAT, the following tasks are necessary to perform:
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Analysis of business requirements
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Creation of a test plan
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Identify test scenarios
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Create UAT test cases
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Preparation of test data (Production-like data)
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Run the test cases
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Record results
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Confirm business objectives
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Key Steps in the UAT Testing Process
The number of steps for performing user acceptance tests may vary; however, every team aims to perform each step in the procedure. These steps include:
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Designing the UAT Process: The method consists of a designing section each time the enterprise techniques for UAT are required to be made public, ensuring that the UAT Process aligns with business objectives.
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Identifying Testing Opportunities: In the second step, opportunities need to be tested for identification to implement enterprise strategies. Different opportunities for meaningful testing scenarios are required to check that end users can face real-world situations and verify the system's functionality.
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Selecting User Groups for Testing: In the third step, specific groups for testing need to be chosen. Developers select end-users to try out product packages or grant free trials for some time to any person who prefers to use them. This helps simulate the UAT environment and ensure that the system meets the expectations of the target audience.
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Documentation of Test Results: After the testing phase, the documentation section is provided to record potential bugs and issues that may arise during the UAT process. This is crucial for tracking and resolving defects.
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Fixing Issues: Following the documentation phase, the fix phase is applied to resolve any bugs or issues raised throughout the UAT process, ensuring the product is ready for release.
User Acceptance Testing Checklist
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Preparation of UAT plan early in the project life cycle.
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Prepare checklists before it starts.
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Conduct a Pre-UAT session during the system testing phase.
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Set an expectation and define its scope clearly.
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Test a system or an application with a real-world scenario and data.
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Start thinking of an unknown user while testing the system.
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Perform usability tests.
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Conduct feedback sessions and meetings before moving to production.
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Common Challenges in User Acceptance Testing Explained
Defining the UAT Team
The first challenge is to define who will be included in this procedure from the team. I want to consider many roles, like the owner, project sponsor, and team. The UAT will manage the complete technique and make final decisions with the team.
Determining the Type of Testing
The type of testing (in-person or self-paced) is defined by determining the region of crew participants and whether or not you need a couple of shifts for a check. It can either be carried out in person or remotely, or both.
Setting Up the UAT Environment
The process by which the software functional testing team sets up and deploys the environment creates the actual use case. Some tests, such as performance tests, cannot be run in an environment with incomplete test data. You need to set up a separate production environment for each.
Estimating the Time Frame for UAT
The user typically needs to set a placeholder for the UAT standard time frame that an organization can expect. Proper planning of time allocation ensures that UAT can be performed effectively without rushed decisions or overlooked details.
Documentation Management
Ensuring that documentation is created and maintained throughout the project is another challenge. All results, issues, and defect-tracking data must be properly recorded to provide transparency and clear communication throughout the UAT Process.
Variability in Customer Capability
It can’t be considered a "one-size-fits-all" exercise because some customers have the motivation, skills, and time to perform a correct UAT, while others may not. This discrepancy can make User Acceptance Testing more complex and resource-intensive for certain customers.
Reviewing Test Plans
Test plans can have mistakes, so check plans are usually required to be reviewed by the quality assurance team, mission manager, or by using any other human beings who understand software testing.
Insights on Effective User Acceptance Testing
As companies adopt agile practices for delivering software services and solutions, business users are getting more involved in the user acceptance testing process. The user or tester performs UAT to certify the system is working properly according to the business requirements and acceptance criteria. This involvement ensures that the system meets the client's expectations and is ready for deployment in a real-world environment.
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