What is UAT and How Does It Benefit Digital Products

Why conduct UAT

User Acceptance Testing allows you to look at the product through the eyes of the target audience. Detected errors can be both technical (for example, a button does not work in a particular browser) and logical, such as when the user does not understand how to perform the desired action.

In practice, examples of UAT scenarios may look like this:

• In an online store, check if it is possible to go from selecting a product to successful payment without unnecessary steps.
  
  
• In a CRM system, assess whether it is convenient for managers to work with customer profiles.
  
  
• In a mobile application, test how easily and quickly a user can register, place an order, or pay for a service.

Differences between UAT and other types of testing

Before a product becomes available to the general public, it goes through several validation stages, including UAT. Different formats of testing are used in product development for new products and updates to existing ones.

Alpha testing

Conducted within the company or by a limited group of users close to the development team. Its goal is to identify the most obvious errors and flaws at an early stage.

• Value: allows critical errors to be fixed before the product reaches end-users.
  
  
• Example: developers release an early version of the application, where they test the main functions and overall operability themselves.

Beta testing

This is done by recruiting users from the target audience. Testing can be conducted with a closed group of clients or may be open to anyone.

• Value: provides an opportunity to test the product on a large number of devices and gather feedback directly from the target audience.
  
  
• Example: the company releases a beta version of a game for a thousand players to gather data on performance and functionality.

Alpha and beta tests are aimed at verifying the product's readiness for release: assessing stability, compliance with documentation or contracts, and identifying critical defects. However, they only answer the question: "Does the product work as intended?". UAT goes further and checks whether the product solves business tasks and fully suits the users.

A/B testing

A special form of testing where users are shown two variations of a product or its individual elements to determine which one performs better.

• Value: helps optimize individual interface elements and increase conversion by identifying the most effective solutions.
  
  
• Example: an online store tests different variations of calls-to-action on a button or in a banner to determine which one results in more clicks.

Stages of UAT

To make acceptance testing structured and predictable, it is divided into several sequential stages.

Preparation of scenarios

In the first step, a plan of actions that users will perform is formed. Typically, such scenarios describe entire business processes:

• In an online store: go from selecting a product to placing an order and paying for it.
  
  
• In a banking application: open a deposit, transfer money, or pay utility bills.
  
  
• In a corporate system: input customer data and generate a report.

It is important that the scenarios reflect actual tasks, not just technical functions.

Selection of participants

The main difference between UAT and other forms of testing lies in the role of participants. It is crucial to involve the end-users, i.e., customers or employees of the client company. The following is taken into consideration:

• their experience with similar products;
  
  
• understanding of business processes;
  
  
• alignment with the product's target audience.

Conducting tests

Users execute the scenarios independently, without prompts from developers. This allows checking if the product is comfortable for a person encountering it for the first time.

At this stage, the team notes:

• where users experience difficulties;
  
  
• which actions take longer than expected;
  
  
• where errors or unexpected results occur.

Gathering feedback

After completing the scenarios, participants share their impressions: what was convenient and what hindered their work. Comments can pertain to both minor details (button color or text font) and critical issues (inability to complete a purchase).

Analyzing results

The final stage is summarizing. The team compares expectations and actual results:

• which scenarios were successfully completed;
  
  
• where issues arose and how critical they were.

Based on the analysis, a decision is made regarding the product's release, further development, or conducting additional testing. This helps avoid situations where a product formally works but is inconvenient for users.

When to conduct UAT

There are several typical cases when conducting UAT is particularly important.

Before launching a new version of the product

A major software release may contain changes that directly affect user experience:

• redesign of the interface;
  
  
• addition of new modules or features;
  
  
• reworking of business logic.

UAT allows ensuring that new features do not hinder the user from performing familiar actions. For example, if a new analytics module has been added to a CRM system, it is important to check that familiar operations (such as updating customer data) still work smoothly and without any glitches.

When releasing an MVP to market

MVP is a minimally viable product created to test hypotheses. Here, UAT helps gather feedback directly from users: which features are useful, what is lacking, and what causes difficulties. This allows the team to decide whether to further develop the product or adjust the initial hypothesis.

When implementing critically important features

Even in a mature product, each new major feature can radically change the user experience. The introduction of payment methods, integration with external services, or updated authorization capabilities can significantly impact the user's journey.

UAT allows you to test in advance how seamlessly users perceive these changes. For example, when enabling a new payment method, you can test whether the purchasing process has actually become easier.

• If tests are conducted too early, users may encounter technical bugs.
  
  
• If too late, the company risks releasing a product that does not meet audience expectations.

The best time to conduct a test is when the product is stable in terms of code, but changes can still be made based on feedback results.

Typical problems and risks

To ensure that UAT truly helps a product enter the market with the desired level of quality, it is important to consider typical risks associated with testing.

Users are disengaged or do not understand their role

• Conduct a thorough onboarding: explain why UAT is conducted, what exactly is being tested, and what acceptance criteria apply.
  
  
• Clarify who is in charge of recording the results and whom to contact for help in case of questions or issues.
  
  
• Organize quick access, ready accounts, and step-by-step instructions to minimize the entry barrier into testing.
  
  
• Provide additional motivation: participation at convenient times, gratitude to active users, small bonuses.

Insufficient time for testing

• Set entry criteria in advance: a stable, test-ready version of the product, a full set of test data.
  
  
• Plan the time with potential refinements in mind, break testing into sessions of 60–90 minutes, and prioritize scenarios. This helps maintain participant focus and ensure that the most important cases are checked first.
  
  
• Establish a "freeze point" when the team no longer adds new features. From this moment, they can only fix bugs and finalize existing features, while new ideas and improvements are carried over to the next cycle.

Overly complex language in tasks

• Describe tasks using language that your audience can understand: for example, instead of "check the processing of the SELECT id, name, date FROM orders SQL query", write "view a list of all customer orders".
  
  
• Illustrate scenarios: accompany them with screenshots, highlight important segments, and provide a mini-glossary of terms that cannot be avoided.
  
  
• Conduct a short joint session to review 2–3 key cases with participants before starting.

Resistance to changes

• Explain the advantages of the new product version in advance: for example, time savings, fewer errors, less routine.
  
  
• Agree with the audience on precise evaluation criteria and strictly adhere to them so that decisions are based on facts rather than emotions.
  
  
• Gather feedback, identify the three most discussed issues, and quickly address at least one of them. This will create a sense of progress among the audience.

Conclusion

UAT is a type of acceptance testing that ensures the product is ready for use by end consumers. Through it, the company gains valuable data and can release a solution that truly helps users rather than merely meeting technical requirements. This is why UAT is widely used in the development and market launch of digital products.