User Acceptance Testing: a complete overview 

In this article we explain all you need to know about conducting user acceptance tests. 

What is acceptance testing?

Before diving deeper into user acceptance testing, it is important to discuss what acceptance testing entails. Acceptance testing is the process in which end users or stakeholders test an alpha or beta version of a website, app, or product to determine whether it meets the requirements and needs.

There are various types of acceptance tests:

• User Acceptance Testing (UAT). These tests are conducted to ensure that the product meets the end user's expectations. This article will delve further into this variant.
• Business Acceptance Testing (BAT). BAT focuses on ensuring that the software meets business goals and purposes.
• Contract Acceptance Testing (CAT). CAT is performed to check if the software complies with the specifications and requirements agreed upon in the contract.
• Regulatory Acceptance Testing (RAT). These tests check whether the software complies with local laws and regulations.
• Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT). OAT is performed to ensure that the software is ready for deployment and use in a live environment. These tests are often more 'functional' in nature.

What is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)?

User acceptance testing (UAT), also known as end user testing, is the process by which real end users test a beta version of a website, app, or product. It determines whether the beta version meets the predetermined requirements and expectations before the product goes live.

Important: Unlike other forms of software and acceptance testing, user acceptance tests are performed by the product's end users. This is fundamentally different from other acceptance tests, where internal stakeholders or software testers test the product.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) versus User Testing (UT)

User acceptance testing (UAT) is used to establish that the beta version of the product meets the set requirements and is performed before the product is released to the market. User testing, on the other hand, focuses on identifying bottlenecks in the user experience and is used with the goal of improving the user experience.

The benefits of User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

The benefits of user acceptance testing include:

• Validation of requirements and needs. UAT helps companies determine whether the new product meets the requirements and needs of end users before it is released to the market.
• Identification of bugs and crashes. Testing with real users can uncover bugs and crashes that only surface during regular use of the website, app or product.
• Improved user experience. Although UAT is not user testing, the feedback obtained through the questionnaire can provide insights into the user experience.
• Risk reduction. Thorough testing of a new product prevents the launch of an incomplete or buggy product, which could damage the company's image or reputation.

When do you conduct User Acceptance Testing?

Usually, UAT tests are conducted by using a user acceptance testing tool that allows to test beta versions of a website or app. As beta versions are often used in user acceptance tests, this means that these type of tests take place at the end of the development cycle. This means UAT tests are conducted prior to the product launch. 

Methods for User Acceptance Testing

User acceptance tests involve a rather large amount of users. This means that about 150 to 400 users are asked to participate. Due to the large numbers, it is advisable to carry out quantitative research. The following methods are often used to perform user acceptance tests:

• Unmoderated user tests tests without recordings. In this approach, users are guided through the test process by a test plan, which explains how they can access the beta version and what tasks they need to perform.
• Surveys. Users are asked to provide feedback after testing by completing an online survey.

User Acceptance Testing Tool

When conducting user acceptance tests, it is advisable to use a platform like User Sense. Using a user acceptance testing tool offers the following advantages:

• Device information. This allows you to quickly find out which devices and software versions users encounter certain issues.
• User information. This lets you determine if certain bugs and crashes occur more frequently among specific user groups.
• Session length. You have insight into how long people took to perform certain tasks.
• Task completion rate. You can directly determine the percentage of users who have successfully completed the tasks.

Recruiting Testers for User Acceptance Tests 

To obtain reliable results, it is important to recruit testers from the target group. Ideally, they are not yet familiar with the product so they can participate in the test unbiased and unprejudiced manner. Due to the large number of testers needed for UAT, recruiting testers can be time-consuming. Therefore, consider using external panels or read more about recruiting testers.

Step-by-step Guide for UAT testing

Looking to carry out UAT tests yourself? Then use our process to help you doing so.

Step 1 - Prepare and plan

• Define the goals. Determine the specific goals of the UAT, such as validating certain functionalities or business processes. Define the scope of the tests, including which parts of the software will be tested.
• Recruit and select testers. Choose representative end users or customers who will test the software. Ensure that these testers have a good understanding of the business requirements and objectives.
• Set up the test plan. Develop detailed test scenarios and cases that cover the key functionalities and business processes. Ensure that these scenarios mimic realistic user interactions.

Step 2 - Set up the test environment

• Prepare the test environment. Ensure that the test environment or beta version is identical to the production environment. This includes hardware, software, network configurations, and access rights.
• Prepare test data. Create or identify test data that is representative of the real data that will be used in production. This helps to obtain realistic test results.

Step 3 - Execute UAT tests

• Invite testers and provide instructions. Provide the detailed test scenarios and cases to the testers. Ensure they have clear instructions on how to conduct the tests.
• Execution. Allow testers to perform the tests independently according to the provided scenarios. Testers should complete all steps and note the expected outcomes.

Step 4 - Collect and process results

• Gather data. Testers should document their findings, including any issues, errors, or deviations from the expected results. This can be done via a shared document or a dedicated test management system.
• Data cleaning. Check the incoming data for inconsistencies, incompleteness, or inaccuracies and clean up the dataset before starting the analysis.

Step 5 - Analysis and reporting

• Analysis. Analyze the collected results to identify trends, common issues, and critical errors. Categorize the issues based on severity and priority.
• Reporting. Create a detailed test report summarizing the findings, identified issues, and recommendations. This report should also include any proposed solutions.
• Follow-up. Collaborate with developers and other stakeholders to resolve identified issues. Plan additional tests if necessary to verify that the problems have been addressed.