5 Essential Steps to Successful User Acceptance Testing

alishahenderson - May 15 - - Dev Community

User acceptance testing is performed in the final phase of the software development process wherein a user plays a crucial role. There is a structured and strategic approach required to conduct user acceptance testing.

It is an important testing type because the software product or application is examined and analyzed from a user's point of view. In this article, you will get to know the five essential steps required to conduct user acceptance testing.

What is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)?

It is a testing method wherein real users will be given the responsibility to test the product or application in a real-time environment. It is conducted in the last phase of the software development process, just before the product is going to be released. User feedback plays a crucial role, as it helps in determining the worth of a software product or application from a user's perspective.

The objective of user acceptance testing is to make sure that the product is built as per the user and business-specific requirements and can handle real-world tasks with ease.

Following are the five steps required for carrying out user acceptance testing:

1.Clear goals need to be established: There should be clear communication between the team and testers (users) to set clear expectations from the testing process. This includes defining the scope, objectives and goals of UAT. The testers should be provided with the necessary resources and instructions to carry out the testing process and also the expected deliverables.

This, in turn, makes sure that everyone is on the same page and the chance of any misunderstanding or miscommunication is reduced.

2.A user acceptance testing plan should be created: In order to conduct UAT successfully, a well-defined test plan is deemed to be important. The objectives and goals of the test should be included in the plan along with detailed instructions for each step. The expected results should also be listed out for each step and also any potential issues or risks that may arise.

In order to keep the testing process efficient and organized, a firm deadline needs to be set for UAT to finish. The tasks can be prioritized by testers and make sure that the testing phase isn't delaying the overall development process. This deadline needs to be communicated to all the stakeholders involved.

3.The UAT environments and test cases need to be defined: The software compatibility is vital across different devices and browsers. The devices and browsers need to be identified that are commonly used by the target users and make sure the software is tested. Potential issues can be uncovered and a smooth user experience can be ensured across all platforms.

4.The testers need to be identified and recruited accordingly: Testers (users) are recruited by taking into consideration factors such as geographic location, gender, age and interests. Feedback is obtained that reflects the actual user experience. Once the participants have been identified, invitations need to be sent, so that useful information about the test can be provided.

5.Collecting UAT feedback from users: User feedback plays a crucial role in the UAT process. The team obtains feedback from users and then based on the feedback will decide on further modifying the product or making alterations to it. The usability and user experience of a software product or application are properly ascertained through this testing method. Also, the value of a product or application is known from a user's perspective.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing user acceptance testing for your specific project, then do visit online a globally acclaimed software testing services company that will provide you with a pragmatic testing framework that is in line with your project needs.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.

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