User Acceptance Testing: A Complete Guide

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is the final phase of the software testing process where actual users test the software in a real-world environment. 

During UAT, users perform tasks that the software is intended to support, and they check for any issues or bugs that might have been missed in earlier testing phases. If the users accept the software, it is considered ready for release; otherwise, feedback is provided for further refinement.

Let's learn more about UAT in-depth!

What is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)?

Key Objectives of User Acceptance Testing

1. Validation of Requirements: UAT ensures that the software meets the business requirements and specifications that were defined at the beginning of the project. It validates that the system performs the tasks and processes as intended by the end users.
2. Real-World Testing: the software is tested in an environment that closely resembles the actual production environment. This helps in identifying issues that might arise in real-world use, such as performance problems, user interface issues, or unexpected behavior in specific scenarios.
3. User-Centric Focus: the testing is carried out by the actual users or representatives of the user community who will be using the software after it goes live. Their feedback is crucial in determining whether the software is user-friendly, intuitive, and meets their needs.
4. Final Approval for Deployment: UAT is the last step before the software is released to the market or deployed within the organization. Successful completion of UAT means the software is approved by the users and is ready for deployment.

The Process of UAT

1. Planning and Preparation

a. Define UAT Scope

The first step in UAT is to clearly define what will be tested. The scope typically includes the main functionalities of the software that are crucial to the business and any specific user workflows or processes that the software must support. 

You can choose UAT testers based on this scope. They are usually end users who represent the target audience of the software. These users are often selected based on their expertise, familiarity with the business processes, and ability to provide valuable feedback. They might include business analysts, power users, or subject matter experts (SMEs). 

After that, start building the UAT plan. A UAT plan typically includes the following key components:

1. Objectives: Clear goals and purpose of the UAT.
2. Scope: Defines what features, functions, and processes will be tested.
3. Roles and Responsibilities: Lists the key stakeholders, including testers, test managers, and developers.
4. Entry and Exit Criteria: Conditions that must be met to start and complete UAT.
5. Test Environment: Details of the environment where UAT will be conducted.
6. Test Cases/Scenarios: Specific test cases or scenarios to be executed during UAT.
7. Schedule: Timeline for the UAT phase, including start and end dates.
8. Resources: Tools, frameworks, and personnel required for UAT.
9. Defect Management Process: Procedures for logging, tracking, and resolving defects.
10. Risk Management: Identification of potential risks and mitigation strategies.
11. Reporting: How results, progress, and issues will be documented and communicated.
12. Sign-Off Criteria: Conditions for formal acceptance and approval of UAT results.

b. Prepare Test Cases and Scenarios

Test cases are developed based on user stories, business requirements, and use cases. These test cases are designed to cover all critical functions and workflows that the software is supposed to support. Test cases should be realistic, simulating the actual tasks that users will perform in their daily work.

Before writing a test case, consider asking yourself three key questions:
 

1. Select Your Test Case Design Approach: Your approach will shape how you design your test cases. Are you conducting black box testing (without access to the source code) or white box testing (with access to the source code)? Will the testing be manual or automated?
    
2. Choose Your Tools/Frameworks for Test Case Authoring: Are you planning to use specific frameworks or tools for testing? Consider the level of expertise required for these tools and whether they align with your team's capabilities.
    
3. Determine Your Execution Environment: This decision should align with your overall test strategy. Will you need to execute tests across multiple browsers, operating systems, or environments? How will you integrate this into your test scripts?
    

Read More: How To Write a Test Case? A Complete Guide

2. UAT Execution

The identified users execute the test cases step-by-step, interacting with the software just as they would in their daily roles. They follow the predefined scenarios but also have the freedom to explore the system in ways they deem relevant.

For example, in an e-commerce platform, users might execute test cases that involve placing an order, processing a return, or applying a discount. They would verify that each step in these processes works as expected, from selecting a product to receiving a confirmation email. 

During execution, any issues, bugs, or discrepancies between the expected and actual results are documented. This includes capturing the steps to reproduce the issue, screenshots, and any relevant error messages. It’s crucial to log even minor issues as they can affect the user experience. 

Learn More: Test Execution: All You Need To Know

3. Issue Resolution and Retesting

Once issues are logged, they are triaged to determine their severity and priority. Critical issues that affect core functionality or prevent users from completing essential tasks are addressed first. Non-critical issues, such as minor UI glitches, may be fixed later or deferred.

To properly categorize issues, you'll need a bug taxonomy. Bugs with similar attributes can be grouped into predefined classes, creating a structured framework that aids in understanding, analyzing, and managing them more effectively. Here is a list of basic bug categories you might consider:

1. Severity: High, Medium, Low impact on system performance or security.
2. Priority: High, Medium, Low urgency for resolution.
3. Reproducibility: Reproducible, Intermittent, Non-Reproducible, or Cannot Reproduce.
4. Root Cause: Coding Error, Design Flaw, Configuration Issue, User Error, etc.
5. Bug Type: Functional Bugs, Performance Issues, Usability Problems, Security Vulnerabilities, Compatibility Errors, etc.
6. Areas of Impact: Specific components or functionalities affected.
7. Frequency of Occurrence: How often the bug appears.

The development team addresses the issues identified during UAT. They may need to debug the software, adjust code, or make configuration changes to resolve the problems. Depending on the severity, some issues might require significant changes or only minor tweaks. After fixes are made, the UAT testers retest the affected areas to ensure that the issues have been resolved and that the fixes have not introduced new problems. Retesting ensures that the software now meets the original acceptance criteria.

In other words, follow the bug life cycle:

4. Final Acceptance and Sign-Off

This is the crucial phase of UAT. Once all critical issues are resolved and retested, a final review of the UAT results is conducted. The review includes assessing the number of issues identified, their severity, the fixes applied, and any outstanding issues. If the users are satisfied that the software meets their needs and all critical issues have been addressed, they provide formal sign-off. This sign-off is a key milestone that indicates the software is ready for deployment.

5. Post-UAT Activities

Following sign-off, the software is prepared for deployment. This may involve finalizing documentation, training end users, and preparing the production environment for release. Training sessions may be conducted for broader user groups to ensure everyone is familiar with the new software. Additionally, support plans are put in place to assist users after the software goes live.

A retrospective or “lessons learned” session is often held after UAT to review what went well and what could be improved in future testing cycles. This helps in refining the UAT process for future projects.

Best Practices For User Acceptance Testing

1. Involve End Users Early and Continuously: engage end users or key stakeholders from the early stages of the project to ensure that the software development aligns with their needs and expectations. By involving users throughout the process—not just at the UAT phase—you can gather valuable insights and feedback that help shape the product. Continuous user involvement also ensures that there are no surprises during UAT, as users will be familiar with the software’s evolution and features.

2. Develop Clear and Detailed Test Cases Based on Real-World Scenarios: create comprehensive test cases that accurately reflect how the software will be used in real-world scenarios. These test cases should cover all critical business processes and workflows. Ensure that the test cases include step-by-step instructions, expected outcomes, and any necessary data inputs. This level of detail ensures that testers can execute the tests consistently and that any issues are clearly identified and documented.

3. Use a Realistic and Representative Test Environment: conduct UAT in an environment that closely mirrors the production environment where the software will eventually be deployed. This includes using realistic data sets, configurations, and integrations with other systems. A representative environment helps identify potential issues that might not surface in a more controlled or limited testing setup, such as performance bottlenecks, compatibility issues, or security vulnerabilities.

4. Prioritize Effective Communication and Timely Feedback: establish clear communication channels and protocols for users to report issues, provide feedback, and ask questions during UAT. This might involve using a dedicated bug tracking tool, regular check-ins with stakeholders, or feedback sessions. Ensure that all feedback is documented and that users feel heard and supported throughout the testing process. Addressing feedback promptly and transparently helps maintain user engagement and trust.

5. Define Clear Success Criteria and Obtain Formal Sign-Off: before starting UAT, define clear entry and exit criteria that outline what constitutes successful testing. These criteria should include the resolution of all critical issues, completion of all test cases, and alignment with business requirements. Once UAT is complete, obtain formal sign-off from the end users or stakeholders, indicating that they are satisfied with the software and approve it for deployment. This sign-off serves as an official endorsement that the software meets user expectations and is ready for production.