I am Max and since more than a decade I find Bugs that could cost a lot of money.
Get to know me easilyThe User Acceptance Test (UAT) is one or the last phase of Software Development. It is crucial to decide on whether to go live with a new Version or not. In the following, I am going to explain why this step is important, how it can or should be done, what best practices there are and how one can avoid typical pit falls.
A User Acceptance Test (UAT) is the phase of software development in which end users test the application to check whether it meets their requirements in terms of functionality and ergonomics. The aim is to ensure that the software is ready for actual use before it is rolled out to all users.
UAT differs significantly from other test stages in software development:
The responsibility for the UAT typically lies with:
A successful UAT requires a structured approach. Here are the most important steps:
Before the test begins, clear objectives must be defined and test cases created.
Test cases should be based on real usage scenarios.
The testers carry out the planned test cases and document the results.
Once the test has been completed, the results are analyzed.
A structured UAT can help to avoid unexpected problems. To ensure that the time invested yields the best return, you should pay particular attention to the following:
As early as the requirements phase, it is important to correctly define success as such: What should be paid particular attention to? Does the software feel ergonomic to use? Is the menu navigation logical and understandable? Are technically correct results generated? The testers should be explicitly briefed on these questions so that they pay attention to the essentials.
Users should be involved in the test process at an early stage in order to better understand their requirements and expectations. It is best to do this even before the actual test.
The use of real or realistic data ensures practical tests. Important here: Data protection (e.g. in accordance with the European General Data Protection Regulation) must be guaranteed. The use of productive data as test data may cause legal problems under certain circumstances, so effective anonymization should be ensured if this approach is chosen. On the safe side here is synthetically generated test data that is based on real user profiles. However, this comes with the trade-off that the data may not capture all edge cases that occur in reality. In individual cases, I recommend a data protection check.
Each test case should be documented in detail and prioritized according to business importance. It should be noted that bug fixes also take time. If business-critical errors are therefore found early, the associated bug fixes can be rolled out first so that there is enough time for a re-test. Less important test cases can then be deprioritized or even omitted if necessary. For a corresponding decision, coordination should be sought not only with the stakeholders, but also with the development team, as this may have important insights for prioritization.
A close exchange between testers, developers and project managers is essential for rapid problem solving.
Repetitive tasks should be recorded so that it can later be assessed whether automation makes economic sense. I am happy to help with this assessment.
Because this is an extremely common error, I would like to emphasize its importance once again: It should NEVER be tested for production. Business-critical systems are usually embedded in a complex context and send and receive data or are exposed to user interaction or even attacks. All this not only reduces the validity of the test results, it can also trigger business incidents that can become really expensive in case of doubt, especially if the system is handled relatively carelessly in the test (which should also be part of the aim of the test). To avoid these costs, I generally recommend setting up a test environment close to production, which is completely isolated in itself.
With a complex undertaking such as a UAT, there are inevitably some problems from time to time, but these can be avoided with appropriate care:
Problem: Test cases are based on unclear or changing requirements.
Solution: Clarify and document requirements with all stakeholders at an early stage. A process should be defined for changes that arise at short notice if this happens frequently in practice.
Problem: Testers are not professional QA experts.
Solution: Provide clear instructions and training. I am happy to help with this.
Problem: Testers often have other main tasks and little time for the UAT.
Solution: Plan tests in smaller units and integrate them into regular work processes.
Problem: The test environment is either not available at all or does not sufficiently reflect the production instance.
Solution: Ensure that the test environment is as close as possible to Production. I am aware that this entails costs. However, these should be seen as an investment: With a clean setup, it is possible in the future to either reuse the test environment or, in the best case, even make it universal so that separate instances can be started for future tests. The benefit of such a solution is incomparably higher because it is possible to react very flexibly to changing requirements.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is an essential phase in software development that ensures that the developed application meets business requirements. By following a structured approach, working closely with end users and following best practices, companies can ensure that their software works smoothly and meets user expectations. A well-executed UAT reduces the risk of problems after go-live and contributes significantly to the success of a software project. Companies should therefore ensure that they plan sufficient time and resources for this important test phase.
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I am Max and since more than a decade I find Bugs that could cost a lot of money.
Get to know me easily