How to Perform User Acceptance Testing Effectively?

Introduction

Use acceptance testing (UAT) is also known as beta testing, end-user testing, and application testing.

It is an essential phase in software development to test the software in the actual world by the envisioned audience.

In-house UAT services requires paid subjects or volunteers to use the software. For this purpose, a test version is designed for free downloading or a free trial.

The experiences of initial users are forwarded to developers to make final modifications before the commercial release of the software.

Changes can appear as if they have been completed without proper UAT. There could still be work to be done, in fact. Users can only discover this issue after the platform is published.

Reverting to running a more rigorous UAT test is not the highest cost in this situation. The credibility loss is.

Importance of UAT

With UAT test cases, it becomes easy for you to check if a defined contract between the customer and the developer is on track.

Running those tests can ensure that there are no changes in requirements and everything in under control to satisfy your clients. UAT is useful because:

• UAT captures elements of users in a verifiable manner.
• These tests can identify issues that are missed by integration tests or unit.
• They provide a good overview of the actual performance of a system

User acceptance testing is an obligation to meet the needs of customers in an operational environment or a business.

Lack of best practices in user acceptance testing may endanger the complete success of a product.

User Acceptance Testing Best Practices

You should have an action plan for the UAT phase of a project. Here are some user acceptance testing best practices:

Plan Advanced Testing

While preparing for the test, you have to focus on three critical levels. These levels are:

1. Strategic Level

It determines the elements that you want to check in the testing phase of a product. It must contain an excellent description for direction and objectives. This level doesn’t give details of the testing procedure.

2. Logistical Level

It is a top-rated plan that may describe the procedure of test. It is an essential plan of a project for the overall test. This level focuses on the phases of testing, such as unit, integration, system, and UAT.

3. Script Level of Test

This level determines the essential details of actions that should be performed, procedures to perform this test and expected results.

While creating a software-testing checklist, it is essential to plan advance testing to increase the speed of procedure. With the help of detailed testing plans, you can improve the convenience of team members to design and perform each test.

It is essential to know what you want to test during user acceptance testing. Without knowing critical elements, you may not get desired results.

Design Test Cases

After listing the essential features of the test, you have to prepare a list of UAT test case scenarios and define ways to test them.

For instance, an uneducated user can ascertain the intuitiveness of platform in the real-life.

Expected outcomes of software testing should be documented and known before UAT.

It may help you to form the basis of main metrics measuring the deviance or adherence from the requirements of the business.

Here is an overview of UAT with actual outcomes and expected outcomes.

• Scenario: Verify that a Stock field accepts numeric fonts
• Test Steps: Login to your platform and write in numeric fonts
• Anticipated Outcome: Platform must accept only numeric fonts
• Actual Outcome: Platform accepts numeric characters only

User Acceptance Testing Methodology

You can consider this procedure as an independent testing project that means, it must have design, the execution phases, and plan.

These phases are important for user acceptance testing methodology.

Prepare the Main Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance criteria list things that you have to evaluate before accepting a product. These are of two types:

1. Business Related or Application Functionality

The main business functionality must be validated because of several reasons, including time.

For this purpose, you will need two meetings with the user or clients who are going to be a part of this testing.

This meeting will help you to explain different aspects of a product for testing.

2. Contractual

The QA team is not involved in this phase. The preliminary contract is reviewed before SDLC.

It is an agreement to check if all aspects of a contract are delivered or not. You have to focus on the application functionality.

Test throughout Assembly of a Project

Software testing services start after installation of an assembly of the final system. It increases the ability of users to test a product.

This time is critical because you have to find and fix damaging problems to enhance the overall experience of users.

It will be good to work on testing a system or product throughout the assembly and design procedure.

It will help you to find problems and help you to instruct your whole team to work on these problems. It may help you to generate a successful UAT.

Match Tests to Users

Testing needs for all projects can be different. It will be good to understand the intensity of the test and the method of testing a system or product.

For programs that can control assets or personal safety, it is essential to ensure that user acceptance testing is at an intense level.

It will increase the success chances of a test and decrease the risk of failure of a product or system.

Involve End Users

Several companies depend on surrogate users to perform UAT test cases. These tests may increase troubles of people who exist in the similar niche as an end user.

For a successful UAT, you can arrange some review sessions with actual users.

Integration of real users in the phase of testing can improve the success rate of testing. You can get the advantage of their feedback to enhance a system or product.

Review Test Tools and Plans

Testing plans may have some errors. A checklist of UAT may contain errors so it will be good to ask your testing team to review it.

The review process may include a knowledgeable person, one QA agent and one project manager.

Regular review of tests may help you to improve your testing phase and get successful outcomes.

For consistent success, you can re-evaluate the set of tools and feedback.

Conclusion

User acceptance testing is not easy, but the right practices can increase the chances of success. While conducting a test, you should carefully check the whole procedure.