The Role of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) in Software Development
Commissioning Software? You’ll Need User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
So, you’ve made the leap and decided to get custom software developed for your business. It will make your life easier and help you grow—right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Business owners sometimes find themselves disappointed with the final product developers put before them. It doesn’t meet their expectations, and despite all the elegant coding, the app isn’t as helpful as they thought it would be.
Luckily, as the software owner, you have the right to reject the product if it doesn’t meet your needs. This process is called user acceptance testing (UAT). Every software development company must do UAT before calling a project complete.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) in Simple Terms
User acceptance testing is the final step that has to happen before software can officially be launched or go live. As the name suggests, UAT is about getting the end-user’s input on the software and determining whether it suits their needs. Unlike software quality assurance, the software users, not its developers, do UAT.
User acceptance tests are designed to mimic real-life scenarios. They get users to test different features of the software by using it for its intended purpose. For example, a business owner tests a new customer support system by submitting a few complaints to see how the software reacts.
Understanding the User Acceptance Testing Process
When your software project reaches its final stages, the developers will call you to help with UAT. Here’s what to expect from user acceptance testing and some best practices to follow.
Stage 1: Test Case Planning
The first stage of UAT is handled by the quality assurance team. They will follow a user acceptance testing checklist to define the scope of the tests that need to be completed, identify the best testers, and design test cases for the project. They might also set up a secure testing environment and systems for collecting user feedback. It’s essential to communicate your business requirements as clearly as possible during this phase to help the developers create testing objectives.
Stage 2: Execute the Tests
This is the part where you and your team use the software for the first time. The developers will guide you through the different test cases and request feedback on specific aspects of the software development. You may get interview questions about the usability and performance of the site as you go. Try to provide in-depth feedback and take your time assessing each feature.
Stage 3: Find and Fix Bugs
The SQA team takes over again to resolve any issues during testing. They’ll use a predetermined reporting system to catalog each defect and triage it according to its urgency and severity. After debugging, the testing process may restart into rounds two, three, or four. This helps the developers weed out all stubborn defects and polish the app for release.
Stage 4: Project Sign-Off
Once all the tests have been done and the bugs resolved, it’s time to sign off on your software. That means approving it for deployment and acknowledging that it meets your requirements and usability standards. This is the final step before launching the new software in your business.
Types of UAT Testing With Examples
- Alpha testing: The developers do the first round of tests. An example of alpha testing is when a gaming company tests its games before release.
- Beta testing: The software is released to a few carefully selected external users. For example, beta versions of mobile apps that give users free access in exchange for their feedback.
- Gamma testing: The final round of tests that confirms an application’s readiness for roll-out. This happens after alpha and beta testing. An example would be when Adobe releases new Photoshop features for a few loyal users only.
- Operational acceptance testing (OAT): Checks that the software is usable in a real-world environment. For example, checking that a hotel booking system can handle cancellations.
- Contract acceptance testing (CAT): Confirm that the software meets all the specifications set out in the original contract. For example, checking that new accounting software works within your agreed-upon discrepancy thresholds.
- Operational acceptance testing (OAT): Checks that the software is usable in a real-world environment. For example, checking that a hotel booking system can handle cancellations.
- Contract acceptance testing (CAT): Confirm that the software meets all the specifications set out in the original contract. For example, checking that new accounting software works within your agreed-upon discrepancy thresholds.
- Business acceptance testing (BAT): Confirms that the new software meets your company’s needs. For example, ensuring your new CRM works with your content scheduling platform.
- Regulation acceptance testing (RAT): Making sure software meets all legal requirements for your industry. If you were building a fitness app, for example, you would test the app’s HIPAA compliance.
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