What Is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

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What is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)?

User acceptance testing (UAT) is done by end users.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is end-to-end testing where real-time scenarios are implemented while testing the application.
Acceptance testing is also known as User acceptance testing (UAT).
Generally, User acceptance testing (UAT) is done by the customer and checks whether the application is working according to given business scenarios or real-time scenarios.
User acceptance testing (UAT) is done before production/live.
User acceptance testing (UAT) is the process of collecting feedback from customers.
Test team, Development team, and customer involved in User acceptance testing (UAT).
User acceptance testing (UAT) starts after completing system and function testing i.e. SIT.
The customer decides which user story needs to be executed.
Customers decide whether the build should go to production or not after User acceptance testing (UAT).

Types of User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Alpha Testing or Internal Acceptance Testing
Beta Testing or External Acceptance Testing

1. Alpha Testing or Internal Acceptance Testing

Alpha testing is the final stage of testing performed by your QA team to check that your application is ready for release outside your company.
The testing is coordinated in-house, and structured and is usually done by your own test team.
Alpha testing happens for web base applications.
Alpha testing can be done in front of testers, developers, and customers.
Real customers mostly in the service-based industries involved in alpha testing like HDFC, IDBI, etc.
The aim is to test every single user flow end to end. The idea is to ensure that your software is bug-free, stable, and functioning as expected.

2. Beta Testing or External Acceptance Testing

Beta testing involves releasing the software to a limited number of real users. They are free to use it as they want.
However, the users give feedback about how the application performs.
It is done to get feedback from real users based on their experience.
Many product-based software companies use beta testing to find out if a new feature/improvement for any software product.
The developer and tester were less involved in it.
Customers like Microsoft, Rupay, master card, etc.
In beta testing when the developer and the tester complete their work then the same product sometimes send to different testers to collect feedback.

Difference between Alpha Testing and Beta Testing

Alpha Testing	Beta Testing
Alpha testing is performed by testers who are usually internal employees of the organization.	Beta testing is performed by the end users or from a different team QA member.
Alpha testing is performed at the developer’s site.	Beta testing is performed by the end-user of the product.
Alpha Testing is done normally in a service-based organization.	Beta Testing is normally done in a product-based organization.
Developers can immediately address critical issues or fixes in alpha testing.	Most of the issues or feedback or improvements collected from the beta testing will be implemented in future versions of the product.

Use or Advantage of User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

To find the defects missed during the functional testing phase.
How well the product is developed.
A product is what actually the customers need.
The client satisfies after the user acceptance testing (UAT).
Feedback helps in improving product performance and user experience.
Minimize or eliminate the issues arising from production.

FAQ

Q 1. Can system testing be done at any stage?

Answer: No, we cannot do system testing at any stage, it must start only if all modules work correctly and are in place, but it should be performed before UAT (user acceptance testing).

Q 2. Distinguish between System Testing and UAT.

Answer: UAT: User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a process of determining whether the product will meet the needs of its users or not. Done by the client to ensure all requirements are fulfilled.

System Testing: Also known as end-to-end testing, Here testing is done as a whole software/project and finding defects when the system is under test.

Q 3. Exit criteria for UAT or When we can stop UAT?

Before moving into production, the following needs to be considered:

No critical defects open
Business requirements met
UAT Sign off meeting with all stakeholders/clients and they

What is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)