User Acceptance Testing: Manual vs. Automated Approaches

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a crucial phase in the software development life cycle that ensures software applications meet business requirements and user expectations before deployment. It acts as a final checkpoint conducted by stakeholders, product owners, or real-life end-users to validate functionality, usability, and performance. UAT differs from other testing types by focusing on the user perspective rather than technical aspects. There are various types of UAT, such as alpha, beta, contract, regulation, and operational acceptance testing, each addressing specific project requirements. UAT can be conducted manually, relying on human intuition and flexibility, or through automation, which offers speed, scalability, and repeatability. The choice between manual and automated UAT depends on project needs, budget, and team expertise, with tools like testRigor offering solutions for automated testing. Proper UAT ensures software aligns with business goals and reduces the risk of defects, ultimately enhancing user satisfaction and project success.