Although user acceptance testing is commonly associated with software development, it involves a variety of engineering disciplines, including physical, chemical and performance tests. Whichever area it is concerned with, the process involves confirming that the concerned product meets the users’ requirements.

The product users are the major decision makers on the acceptance or rejection of the concerned product or system. They must therefore be involved in the testing process instead of just relying on the technical experts.

It is not possible to test systems for all possible eventualities. What is important is to test the most relevant functionalities within the required timeframe. With user acceptance testing, the consumers get the opportunity to determine whether the systems deliver what they expect. They understand best what they want, a quality that professional testers may not have. The end users are the ones to shoulder the consequences of the new products and systems.

A programmer may test and conclude (rightly) that a developed system allows the recording of customer data. However, it is the business user who will actually determine whether the system can do this in a busy environment within a 2-minute telephone call. How will the recording be conducted? Will it require switching between multiple screens? Above all, will it help the business user generate money?

User acceptance testing plays an important role in risk management. Since not everything can be tested within the specified timeframe, user acceptance testing ensures that the limited resources are allocated where they will give the best impact.

This is the last step before a system is released for public use. While other tests are concerned with how systems work, user acceptance testing deals with what it does. It provides the proof that the system actually functions according to the users’ requirements.

User acceptance testing, or UAT, is usually the final step before a client or customer accepts a product. These tests are typically done on new software or programming, but there is a business version of user acceptance testing.

User acceptance testing is a process by which a customer will put the product through a series of checks to ensure that the product is acceptable. The IT department of a company might put the program through tests to objectively verify that there will be no crashes or freezes, and to make sure it fits the company needs.

Q-UAT is what businesses use to perform user acceptance testing. The testing is done at certain points throughout the project and is considered quicker and less costly. This model of user acceptance testing takes into the entire business process and how the programs can be best integrated into the business process.

Other types of tests may check to see if the products meet safety and other regulations before being accepted. Alpha and beta tests are sometimes done to provide a double layer of error checking. The alpha test is done at the developers site before release. The beta tests are then done on the consumer end to further test for acceptance.

In an Agile project, there may also be different types of acceptance tests. User stories are implemented to set up a framework of tests to see whether or not the software is acceptable.

Acceptance testing is important to make sure that any software used will fit into your business model and provide an efficient way to do business. If your software is crashing, it will not provide any tangible value.

There are those who may wonder what purpose User Acceptance Testing has when it comes to the development of new software applications. The answer is that it honestly depends on what the individual is referring to when they mention the phrase “user acceptance testing.” By sheer definition in relation to development of software, user acceptance testing relates to the approval required before an application can be successfully launched. The process seeks to confirm that the system in question meets or exceeds mutually decided requirements. Typically, the client of the object being tested provides confirmation after a trial or review.

User acceptance testing is among the final stages of any given software project, which means that it occurs before a client decides whether or not to accept the new system. Test-designers usually come up with tasks which feature a range of levels. The designer of the user acceptance tests usually cannot be the same person who created the system test cases for that same system. That is because the entire point of user acceptance testing is to emulate real-world conditions on the behalf of a small selection of paying customers. If the new system ends up functioning as expected, it is usually decided that the same level of flawless functionality will occur once it is put into production for the client in the real world.

These tests are mostly not performed by end-users and never focus on pinpointing spelling issues or other problems which are strictly cosmetic in nature. They also do not deal with system crashes, as developers are supposed to deal with these problems much earlier in the process. User Acceptance Testing is simply performed to provide the added comfort of confidence to the client and because in many cases, UAT is a legal requirement which developers are contractually bound to complete.

User acceptance testing is one of the most important steps in developing good software. It is a well known fact that many software products are released prematurely to the market, causing system failure down the road. User acceptance testing is different than other software tests because it incorporates the client into the testing cycle. The client or subject matter expert will perform predefined tests to ensure that system requirements have been met.

Although the client may be involved in other types of user testing, user acceptance testing differs in some significant ways. One important distinction is that user acceptance testing allows the user to sample the system after most, if not all, bugs have been discovered and corrected because the testing is typically performed just before the product is released. Since the software has already passed through unit testing, quality assurance testing and usability testing, fewer defects will be presented to the user. Another important aspect of user acceptance testing is that it allows clients the ability to test drive the system without focusing on each requirement separately. It allows the client to see the system as a whole from the business perspective. This is an important distinction between testing done by developers.

Software developers write code to meet specific requirements and may often overlook other areas of the business that the application will impact. The owners of the application will know their business more than the developers, which gives them the ability to discover potential problems that could occur in the future. This is important because it gives the client a last chance to see if any requirements need added or changed. User acceptance testing is crucial to help ensure major flaws are not released into production.

The concept of user acceptance testing has been a part of project management for some time. It is the belief that a project will have a higher success rate by engaging the users of a system or process in the actual final testing phase.

There are three critical areas in which a user or customer could be utilized to do the final testing.

1. Functionality

This is basically testing that a system or process does what it was intended to do. Numbers and calculations are accurate. Reports are lined up. Items reviewed are readable and meaningful.

User acceptance testing verifies that these basic functions of a system or process work as specified and as expected.

When the user pushes the big red button, what they expect to happen should happen.

2. Usability

Engaging the customer for user acceptance testing also puts the system or process in the hands of the people who will actual work with the product. During this phase, we can determine if the user can make use of the product to do their jobs.

Are the number of steps required to complete a task appropriate? Can the user get to information quickly and easily? Are on-screen instructions understandable?

If we are giving the customer a new or enhanced tool, can they use it to be more efficient in their roles?

3. Work Flow

A final part of user acceptance testing is determining whether or not the work is flowing correctly through any system or process.

Does information arrive where and when it is supposed to and are the right people being notified? Is the timing of activities appropriate? Are reports being delivered to the right people in the right order?

For instance, in a retail setting, between the time a customer orders a product and the time they receive it, there are a lot of steps that take place. It is important to customer satisfaction and company efficiency that these steps happen at the most appropriate time.

Conclusion

User acceptance testing is a way to help insure that systems or processes that have been changed or newly developed are put into place with a minimum of disruption or rework.

Imagine the merging of two or more companies with similar business process and systems. Each decides to continue to function as separate entities, yet maintain the same objectives. The consequences would resemble an intersection where all drivers declare the right-of-way. This will lead to disaster for all parties involved.

Well, before these companies can hope for a successful merger, planning, preparation and monitoring of the process to merge systems is key. This requires user acceptance testing, a process to ensure the acceptability of a new business application.

Generally, user acceptance testing relates to converging business processes with customer interface of technical systems. When a company decides to roll out changes to a new database or system, it is important that little to no interruptions occur for customers. Department and IT team members on the project work together to coordinate user acceptance testing, criteria and objectives.

As the end-user of a new business application, workers or customers may perform a string of tests, also known as test cases, to ensure the application meets predetermined criteria during the planning phase. These test cases include real-world scenarios that workers or customers may encounter during the normal course of business.

The success of user acceptance testing largely depends on the planning that takes place before implementing change. A lack of planning before implementing changes can cause sobering results for the business and its customers. If each person drives into the intersection at the same time, disaster strikes and no one reaches his or her destination.

Part of planning also requires diplomacy to ensure each side has a voice. In most cases, one person serves as the intermediary, interpreting department objectives into IT code that results in a finished project. This person maintains the traffic signal, if you will, to guarantee the project successfully reaches the deadline.

When a company implements a new system, or upgrades an existing one, its quality assurance (QA) testers attempt to “break the system.” Once QA testers have conducted their positive and negative test cases, and developers fix defects, end users must approve the system.

This is where user acceptance testing (UAT), the approval of an application or system by end users, plays a major part in determining if the planned release or project meets the needs of a department and organization.

Below are some tips to ensure successful user acceptance testing:

• Develop detailed test plans – Although end users understand their job functions, they need direction to accurately test. Detailed test plans allow all types of users to follow the same standards. In addition, those detailed test plans will ensure that new testers have the ability to step in if needed.
• Understand end users – All users “are not created equal.” They have different perspectives, technical knowledge and time constraints. Therefore, match end users to test cases based on these factors.
• Set testing times – Do not expect to conduct user acceptance testing without warning. Employees cannot drop their day-to-day responsibilities. Therefore, set specific times for testing.
• Do not solely rely on user requirements – While requirements are a part of UAT, project managers, business analysts and developers should not forget that they need verification and validation.
• Verification – This occurs when users test the requirements they provided. During user acceptance testing, those users discover if the system or application helped them perform their job functions.
• Validation – This tests actual scenarios and captures previously missed defects or inaccuracies in the requirements. One cannot validate the requirements without testing them.

By following the above tips, a company puts itself in a better position to track “bugs” prior to going live. Without user acceptance testing, a firm risks implementing an application or system that passes those “bugs” to employees and customers.

Let’s face it. User acceptance testing will make or break a software project. No matter how skilled the project manager, no matter how hard-working the development team, the project can’t succeed without solid user acceptance testing.

From the customer’s standpoint, acceptance testing is the proof of the pudding; it’s the formal demonstration that a fully-working, completely satisfactory product is being delivered. From the developer’s standpoint, it’s a leg to stand on; successful user acceptance testing provides positive evidence that the project is complete and that full payment is in order.

For these reasons, it’s imperative that both customer and developer agree on a detailed user acceptance testing plan, which should include at least the following points.

1. It is vital that the test plan covers all software features listed in the original specifications, in checklist fashion, to ensure that the customer sees that everything has been done as requested. Experience shows that testing most but not all software features is the single most prevalent cause of dispute and difficulty after delivery.

2. The test plan should cover the course of action to be taken by the developer if an element of the software doesn’t pass the test.

3. The test plan should cover the course of action to be taken by both customer and developer if the customer finds, during user acceptance testing, that new or different features may be required.

4. The test plan should include a means of resolving technical disagreements, such as referral to a combined developer-customer technical committee, or the use of a mutually agreeable third-party consultant.

5. The test plan should be time-based and include specific dates for completion of testing, correction of problems, and final sign-off.

User acceptance testing is critically important, and wise project managers give it their full attention.