What is UAD?

UAT (User Acceptance Testing) is the final stage of software testing, where end users or clients verify the readiness of the product for deployment in real-world conditions.

Main objectives of UAT:

• Ensure that the system meets business requirements and user expectations.
• Identify defects that may have been missed in previous testing stages.
• Obtain formal approval (quality mark) from the client for deployment.

Difference of UAT from other types of testing:

• Purpose: Not to find technical defects, but to check the product's suitability for business.
• Testers: End users or their representatives, not professional testers.
• Environment: As close as possible to the production environment.
• Basis for testing: Business scenarios and workflows, not technical specifications.

Types of UAT:

• Alpha Testing: Conducted by the developer’s team within the organization but not by the developers themselves (e.g., sales or support staff).
• Beta Testing: Conducted by a group of real end users outside the developer’s organization in a real environment.

UAT process includes:

1. Planning UAT.
2. Preparing test data and scenarios.
3. Executing tests.
4. Documenting results and defects.
5. Fixing defects and retesting.
6. Obtaining official approval.

Example of a simple UAT scenario for an online store:

• Purpose: To verify the ability to successfully place an order.
• Steps:
  1. Open the homepage.
  2. Find a product using the search bar.
  3. Add the product to the cart.
  4. Go to the cart.
  5. Start the checkout process.
  6. Enter delivery details.
  7. Choose a payment method.
  8. Confirm the order.
• Expected result: The order is successfully placed, and the confirmation page is displayed.

Importance of UAT:

• Reduces the risk of system failures after launch.
• Improves user satisfaction.
• Helps ensure the product solves real business problems.