The Importance of User Acceptance Testing in the Software Development Lifecycle
User acceptance testing, or UAT, is essential to a product’s lifecycle. Usually at the end of the software testing process, UAT involves testing software by end-users or proxies to determine if it's acceptable to their standards and the software's intended requirements. It usually occurs after unit, functional, system, and regression testing. UAT can ensure defects are fixed before releasing a product, as the cost of fixing them post-release can be much higher.
It’s important to note that UAT differs from other types of testing, such as system testing. System testing usually involves checking whether the software meets specified requirements, while acceptance testing is whether the software meets customer needs.
Benefits of User Acceptance Testing
User acceptance testing is critical in the development process, especially regarding the quality and usability of an application. There are many benefits to including acceptance testing in the development process:
User acceptance testing can improve user satisfaction. By involving users in the testing process, UAT helps to ensure that the software application meets their needs and expectations. This can help to increase user satisfaction and reduce the risk of users abandoning the application.
Enhanced quality is another benefit of user acceptance testing, as it helps to identify any issues or defects in the software application that may have been missed during earlier stages of testing. This can improve the overall quality of the application and reduce the risk of problems arising after it has been released.
Finally, UAT can reduce costs. By identifying and resolving issues during the UAT phase, organizations can save time and money that would have been spent fixing problems after the application has been released.
The Steps of User Acceptance Testing
Step 1: Planning
The planning process can involve gathering knowledge, such as what the intended results of the testing are, along with which business processes will be tested and the guidelines for selecting test data.
Finding users is also an essential part of planning. Users can be part of the company or not, but they must be end-users, preferably from different sectors of the business, to make a well-rounded evaluation.
Step 2: Design
UAT design comes next, including mapping out different steps for different business users and setting a timeline. External software can also be used for the UAT design phase to help simplify the mapping process and make it more visual. Make sure that this stage also includes specific test scenarios and test cases.
Step 3: Execution
Execution includes implementing test cases. After execution, defects are fixed before going live with the software release. Developers must also be ready to fix high-priority bugs during the testing process to keep release date targets on track.
This is just one example of a UAT process, often called ‘scripted testing,’ in which test cases are essential. Organizations can also use other techniques to conduct UAT, such as ‘exploratory testing,’ in which users freely test and explore the application in an unstructured manner. User acceptance testing workshops are another option in which users and developers work together to test and evaluate the application.
Documentation and Entry-Exit Criteria
Documentation also plays a vital role in UAT, especially regarding outcomes. But it can also be important in the context of creating a clear test plan, as well as the end-user testing strategy. This document can outline the purpose of the testing, the types of testing, and the objectives. Entry and exit criteria should also be documented, with entry criteria defining the conditions necessary for the software to be tested and exit/acceptance criteria being the conditions that validate whether the software is functional and useful relative to business goals.
UAT in an Agile Environment
User acceptance testing in an agile environment differs from the usual waterfall method. It includes iterations at most stages, with a backlog maintained throughout sprints, which is constantly reviewed and prioritized. Acceptance criteria are produced during each sprint (also called user stories). These tests are created through the collaboration of many team members, with product owners at the forefront of this team effort.
SRG’s Process
Overall, user acceptance testing is an essential step in the software development process that can help ensure a software application's quality and usability. By involving users in the testing process and using techniques such as scripted testing and exploratory testing, organizations can improve user satisfaction, enhance the quality of the application, and reduce costs.
SRG Software works closely with our customers to create strong communication, smooth processes, and technical frameworks to enable ongoing interaction with the software development lifecycle, including user acceptance testing.
