User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

What is User Acceptance Testing?
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User Acceptance Testing (UAT) - also called beta testing, application testing, and/or end user testing - is a phase of software development in which the software is tested in the "real world" by the intended audience or a business representative. Whilst the technical testing of IT systems is a highly professional and exhaustive process, testing of business functionality is an entirely different proposition.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is one sure way to reduce or eliminate change requests, and drastically reduce project costs.

Advantages of UAT

•       Ensuring that the application behaves exactly as expected.
•       Reducing the total cost of ownership.
•       Reducing the cost of developing the application.

Tasks of User Acceptance Testing
When performing UAT, there are seven (7) basic steps to ensure the system is tested thoroughly and meets the business needs.

1 – Analyze Business Requirements
2 – Identify UAT Scenarios
3 – Define the UAT Test Plan
4 – Create UAT Test Cases
5 – Run the Tests
6 – Record the Results
7 – Confirm Business Objectives are met

Alpha Testing

This test is the first stage of testing and will be performed amongst the teams (developer and QA teams). Unit testing, integration testing and system testing when combined are known as alpha testing. During this phase, the following will be tested in the application:

• Spelling Mistakes
• Broken Links
• Cloudy Directions
• The Application will be tested on machines with the lowest specification to test loading times and any latency problems.

Beta Testing

This test is performed after Alpha testing has been successfully performed. In beta testing a sample of the intended audience tests the application. Beta testing is also known as pre-release testing. Beta test versions of software are ideally distributed to a wide audience on the Web, partly to give the program a "real-world" test and partly to provide a preview of the next release. In this phase the audience will be testing the following:

• Users will install, run the application and send their feedback to the project team.
• Typographical errors, confusing application flow, and even crashes.
• Getting the feedback, the project team can fix the problems before releasing the software to the actual users.
• The more issues you fix that solve real user problems, the higher the quality of your application will be.
• Having a higher-quality application when you release to the general public will increase customer satisfaction.

Summary
Whether your organization designates the functional role associated with testing as a Business Analyst, Tester, or Quality Assurance professional, User Acceptance Testing done well will engage those responsible very early on in the project development cycle. DevelopMentor Business Analysis curriculum offers many opportunities for learning the skills required of those responsible for UAT.