What is Acceptance Testing?

A normal usage scenario of a software product is defined by an acceptance test. There are various ways in which such scenarios can be described, either using a notation or some other approaches. However, the prime aim is to use an automation tool to execute such tests. The result of an acceptance test has a binary result, just like unit tests, i.e. pass or fail. Depending upon the maturity of the agile team, the term ‘functional test’, ‘acceptance test’, and ‘customer test’ are interchangeably used.

Common Challenges

There are some pitfalls in expressing acceptance tests in a technical manner. It is difficult to review and understand acceptance test by the primary audience. In order to avoid any complexity with technical implementation, it is advised to involve experts and customers while creating acceptance tests. Acceptance test procedure that focuses on technicality run a higher chance of getting failed even with a slight change that don’t have any significant impact.

From the cost aspect, acceptance test automation is considered non-beneficial, because of the following reasons.

  • Automated acceptance test creation requires a lot of time and effort
  • Maintenance of automated acceptance tests are difficult due to its ‘fragile’ nature

Advantages of Automated Acceptance Testing

Acceptance test has the following benefits.

  • It gathers the user requirements in a verifiable way
  • Identifies the issue missed during the unit or integration testing
  • It facilitates close collaboration between developers, domain experts, and customers
  • It allows an unambiguous contract between developers and customers
  • Reduces the chance of new defects and regressions
  • Provide an overview of the system

How different is User Acceptance Testing (UAT) from Functional Testing?

User acceptance testing or UAT consist of a series of steps and ensures if a particular requirement is working for the user. It is legally and practically possible to get the software development done if the supplier and the customer both agree on the product. On the other hand, functional testing tests particular requirements and specifications of the application. However, it lacks the user components. A functional test ensures that the specifications are correct based on the software. But, it doesn’t ensure whether it works for the user or not.

For example, consider an application that has some performance issue with its search feature with loading time really bad. It would be technically working for every tester to use. However, no one would want it. Functional tests and usability tests would go fine in this case, but it would lead to a failed acceptance test due to performance related issues.

Now, we can easily understand how functional testing is different from user acceptance testing.

Types of User Acceptance Testing

Following are the types of user acceptance testing that exists.

  • Alpha and Beta Testing: Alpha testing comes into the picture in the early phase of development and involve internal staffs. It can also be performed by potential user groups, but in the development environment before the product is released to customers. The inputs taken from alpha testers are then used to fix certain bugs to improve the overall quality of the product. Unlike Alpha testing, Beta testing happens in the customer’s environment. It involves extensive testing of the product by a group of customers, who provides the feedback, which is then implemented to improve the product’s quality. Both alpha and beta testing is done before the application is released
  • Contract Acceptance Testing: Here the software that is developed is tested against certain criteria. The criteria and specifications are defined when the contract is made and agreed upon.
  • Regulation Acceptance Testing/Compliance Acceptance Testing: Regulation acceptance testing or compliance acceptance testing checks if the software application complies with the legal and government regulations.
  • Operational Acceptance Testing (Operational Readiness Testing or Production Acceptance Testing): Operational acceptance testing ensures that there is a proper workflow (backup plans, maintenance, and training) for the software to be used.
  • Black Box Testing: This kind of user acceptance testing is often categorized as functional testing. It allows the tester to analyze certain functionalities without letting the testers to see the internal code. The principles of black box testing are similar to user acceptance testing, as the user is unaware of the code, but only the requirements that should be met by the software.

Tools Used for User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

  • Usersnap
  • Engageuat
  • QASymphony, and more

360logica uses a systematic and a defined User Acceptance Testing (UAT) approach to perform effective acceptance testing. The company’s capability to perform extensive user acceptance testing and comprehensive QA services make it as the prominent offshore software testing provider. 360logica employs its specialized tools, skills, and knowledge to identify performance bottlenecks and help them fix and ensure seamless performance.