When you hear about “user acceptance testing” (UAT), it sounds easy enough: you get potential end users to validate that a system meets their expectations for functionality and usability.
Unfortunately, as many can attest, UAT can be quite a complex endeavor in practice, requiring test managers to balance end user interactions with the final development of the system.
So what can make your UAT testing experience more smooth and effective?
The testing experts at TestMonitor have come together to answer four of the top questions about UAT to help you make the most of this crucial stage.
What is the outcome of UAT?
After all of the coordination, effort, and time from those involved, the outcome of UAT testing should be a determination of which functional and non-functional requirements of the software, system, or application fit the expected user experience.
Although defects can certainly be flagged, UAT testing is not specifically about searching for them. In other words, if you are focusing on finding defects in the system, you are missing the point and potential of the UAT phase.
Why is the user so important in UAT?
Although automated testing has its strengths, it can’t hold a candle to the effectiveness of putting real people—potential customers—in front of your software to evaluate its usability and functionality.
Up until UAT, all testing was either conducted by professional testers or members of the development team. Now, you can put real end users in front of your system and allow them to validate its accuracy, user-friendliness, and overall usability—giving you essential feedback.
This is why, when UAT is done, the development team will have a firm understanding of whether or not your product meets the objectives, requirements, and targets for your ultimate customers.
How can you create efficiency and effectiveness with a UAT plan?
In recent years, testing tools have gone through an evolution. Many of those tools were ones designed for test management, like TestMonitor.
Take advantage of TestMonitor’s advanced features. Utilize the preconfigured test cases in your testing library, upload existing test cases, or define new ones. Easily assign, track, and record feedback for each test using tools designed to empower testers and quality assurance (QA) managers.
In addition, TestMonitor provides custom and configurable reports, a logging function, and notifications and alerts to help keep testing on pace.
Why is it important to create a UAT plan?
A UAT test plan structures your testing approach, identifies the guidelines needed to achieve the desired level of testing, and defines the responsibilities of each of the UAT team members.
Although every test will be different and have unique qualities, developing a UAT test plan typically includes the following steps:
- Determining the objectives of the testing
- Defining the testing approach
- Documenting the testing timeline
- Locking in the testing scope
Take your UAT to the next level.
These are just some of the more common questions that TestMonitor clients have about making the most of their UAT testing experience,
Overall, we have found that a dedicated test management tool can not only bring needed structure to your testing efforts, but also maximize your team’s time, efforts, and experience to make the best product possible.Ready to learn more about integrating all of these best practices into one industry-leading test management solution? Try TestMonitor for free. Also, click here for our Complete Guide to Next-Level User Acceptance Testing.
