What is User Acceptance Testing?

• User Acceptance testing is the final Q&A step emulating real-world usage conditions before a software application is released to end users. These tests are not usually focused on identifying simple problems such as spelling errors and cosmetic problems, nor show stopper defects such as software crashes which should have been fixed during earlier testing phases. Acceptance tests are black box system level tests whereby each test represents some expected result from the system given a predefined set of test scenarios with documented expected results combined with pass/fail criteria.
• Acceptance testing can be done by the system/software provider, but are usually performed by an independent 3rd party, clients, or end-users (customer) prior to accepting transfer of ownership satisfying contractual obligations and may also be required for payment.
• Any acceptance testing is done with acceptance criteria. Acceptance criteria, usually evaluated as pass or fail, can apply to each individual test, a group of tests or the system as a whole.
• Acceptance testing provides confidence that the delivered system meets business requirements and is the final quality check where any defects not previously detected are be uncovered.