It is usually observed that even while the testing team places a strong emphasis on manual and automation testing, end users continue to report a number of defects. User acceptability testing (UAT), in addition to the standard QA procedure,is crucial since it involves managers and topic specialists.

User acceptance testing is a very straightforward concept, but really carrying it out requires a thorough understanding of the various types of UAT.

We have examined the most prevalent types of user acceptance testing so that your entry into UAT will be a little easier.

What is UAT?

During the User acceptance testing stage of software development, actual users test the finished product in a real-world setting. By simulating actual events, the procedure aims to confirm that the designed system performs as planned from the end user's perspective.

User acceptability testing, in its simplest form, is the process of ensuring that generated software functions as intended for users. At first, this can seem simple to understand, but in reality, it is not.

How is functional testing different from User acceptance testing (UAT)?

Let's now discuss the distinctions between functional testing and user acceptance testing in order to make our thoughts more clear.

User acceptance testing, often known as UAT, involves a series of processes to determine whether or not a set of requirements is usable by the user. Practically speaking, the development process begins as soon as the supplier and the customer give their approval for the product. Instead, we evaluate individual software needs and specifications during functional testing. However, the user element is absent from it. We can only confirm that the programme complies with requirements and specifications by doing functional tests. However, it does not guarantee that it is both acceptable and useful from the user's standpoint.

Let me explain this with an example: consider an application that has a search feature. The feature is working fine and giving desired results but in the process is taking too much time to get the job done. Thus, the application will pass the functionality tests but due to extended loading time, it will fail in acceptance tests as end-users will not be satisfied with its performance.

Failed acceptance is not limited only to performance-related issues, any redundant or outdated feature can also be the cause. As the users will no longer be interested in using a feature whether it is working absolutely fine, its functional tests would pass, along with the usability tests, but the user acceptance test would probably fail.

Now, we can easily differentiate between functional testing and user acceptance testing.

Types of User Acceptance Testing

User acceptance testing can take the following forms:

'Alpha' and 'Beta' testing

Alpha testing is a type of acceptance testing carried either by internal staff members or by potential user groups at the developer's facility before the product is made available to consumers. Following that, the inputs from this are taken into account to raise the calibre of the finished product.

As an alternative, independent testers do beta testing in the actual setting where the application will be utilised. It entails rigorous product testing by a group of customers, who offer input that is subsequently used to raise the standard of the product. Before the application is made public, it is put through both alpha and beta testing.

Testing for Contract Acceptance

Contract acceptance testing verifies that the generated software satisfies the pre-set and mutually agreed-upon standards and criteria. The acceptance criteria and specifications are only established once the project team approves the contract.

Compliance acceptance testing and regulatory acceptance testing

The generated software is examined in the Regulation Acceptance Testing against certain rules and regulations. Compliance with these legal requirements is extremely necessary as these rules and regulations are mostly governmental in nature. Additionally, it is known as Compliance Acceptance Testing.

Testing the operational acceptability

Operational Acceptance Testing, also known as Operational Readiness Testing or Production Acceptance Testing, ensures that the software is used in an appropriate manner and that the workflow is sound. Backup procedures, security checks, user training, and other maintenance procedures must all be included in the workflow.

A black box test.

Black Box Testing is sometimes labelled as functional testing, however it may also be viewed as a form of User Acceptance Testing to some extent. Without having to comprehend or use the internal code structure, the tester can test the program for certain functionalities. The ideas of User Acceptance Testing and Black Box Testing are fairly similar because the end user knows nothing about any code. He merely is aware of the requirements that must be met for the application. It is frequently used by many testing teams for User Acceptance Testing.

User acceptance testing, however, comes in a wide variety of forms. I hope that by giving you the above examples of UAT, some light has been thrown on the subject.

At Qualimatrix, we carry out thorough user acceptability testing to ensure that the created software meets the requirements of the intended user. Since we don't believe in taking short cuts, we test and pass our software only after ensuring that it meets both business and end-user criteria.