User Acceptance Testing: What It Is, How It Works & How to Use It

User Acceptance testing (UAT) acts as the final stage of the implementation process to ensure that system requirements meet business needs. At this stage, all implicit issues that may arise are fixed before the final product releases, so testing often goes in the form of Alpha or Beta testing under close to reality conditions by the target audience.

Why user acceptance testing is important?

The importance of this type of testing follows from the previous paragraph – because it guarantees that the final product cover all the required business needs.

Of course, this process may be quite expensive, however, possible cost damages caused by an inappropriate product could be many times greater or even not comparable

The beauty of UAT lies in testing approach. Unlike other types of testing, UAT focuses on users and business consultants (as the main target audience) to determine whether the product fits their needs. The other benefit is that you are always know what should be expected as the outcome.

How do I create an efficient UAT process?

Take your time when creating acceptance tests, so you can achieve as beneficial UAT platform as possible.

1. Create acceptance tests according to User Stories
2. Make your Acceptance Tests as simple, clear and cheap as possible
3. Ensure that the system layout works off all necessary user actions
4. Acceptance tests should define behavior – not needs
5. Define user acceptance testing as a contract between a customer and a vendor
   • UAT as a deliverable
   • Minimize risks by implementing user acceptance testing design and testing through an iterative process
   • Let your UAT to be signed by the customer

User acceptance testing is applicable on any implementation methodology, so you can easily improve your communication with potential customers by introducing new products – more reliable, agile and flexible.

Who benefits?

Before giving a definite answer, check the following improvements that gives UAT:

• Greater customer satisfaction. As the final product works as intended, everything goes smoothly and predictably, thus making your customers more confident.
• The final quality of a product is a constant value that is defined at the beginning of development and implementation.
• Improved communication between your company and the customer, as requirements definition is managed on both sides and the acceptance tests are signed by the customer.
• Minimization of risks and pressures during implementation and postimplementation phases, thus making the final product more qualitative.
• User acceptance testing provides comprehensive information about the development and implementation processes, which can be used by stakeholders to better understand the target audience needs and make changes to the development strategy, if necessary.

Returning to the question “who benefits”, now you can easily say – everyone.

Last but not least benefit is that UAT guarantees a quick ROI. You can spend about 5-10% of the project time on planning user acceptance testing, but as the result, it can save about 30% of the total waste.

Your stakeholders will definitely be happy: start UAT right away with professional testers available on-demand!