What is user acceptance testing and who performs UAT?

User Acceptance Testing (UAT), also known as beta or end-user testing, is defined as testing the software by the user or client to determine whether it can be accepted or not. This is the final testing performed once the functional, system and regression testing are completed.

The main purpose of this testing is to validate the software against the business requirements. This validation is carried out by the end-users who are familiar with the business requirements.

When Is It Performed?

This is typically the last step before the product goes live or before the delivery of the product is accepted. This is performed after the product itself is thoroughly tested (i.e after system testing).

Who Performs UAT?

Users or client – This could be either someone who is buying a product (in the case of commercial software) or someone who has had a software custom-built through a software service provider or the end-user if the software is made available to them ahead of the time and when their feedback is sought out.
The team can be comprised of beta testers, or the customer should select UAT members internally from every group of the organization so that each and every user role can be tested accordingly.