What Is User Acceptance Testing (UAT)?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

User acceptance testing (UAT) is an important part of project management. Discover how it helps to ensure that the software or system being developed meets the requirements and expectations of the end users or customers.

[Featured Image] A member of a development team works at a computer and performs user acceptance testing in their office.

User acceptance testing (UAT) is the final stage of software development, in which end users and clients test the software in real-world conditions to assess its functionality and usability. Unlike other tests performed within the development cycle, UAT verifies whether the software works as intended, rather than facilitating feedback on its appearance or features. 

Development teams must perform UAT because their assumptions when developing the software may not hold true in an actual work environment, either due to miscommunication, misunderstanding, oversight, or simply evolving requirements. During UAT, beta testers working in real-world conditions test software and provide feedback to developers so that they can resolve any issues before rolling out the software.

If you're ready to get started, prepare to work as an entry-level project manager by enrolling in the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate program. In this seven-course series, you will have the opportunity to practice strategic communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management through real-world scenarios in as little as six months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a shareable career certificate and qualified for over 100 hours of project management education, which helps you prepare for various project management certifications. 

What is user acceptance testing? UAT meaning

In software development, user acceptance testing (UAT) is the final stage of the development cycle. During testing, project managers and developers look to see how the software will function in real-world scenarios, such as within a specific business environment. 

For example, a company creating a business intelligence tool might conduct UAT to ensure that the software will be able to function properly within the suite of systems the business uses. During this period, beta testers will provide feedback on performance to developers, who will, in turn, make the necessary changes to ensure that the software will perform as expected. Once UAT is successfully completed, the product will be ready to be rolled out and sold to the larger business community.

What sets UAT apart from QA?

Quality assurance, or QA, comes before UAT in the development cycle. QA encompasses tasks that ensure the software is error-free, while UAT examines how users interact with the software. The crucial distinction is that QA testing doesn’t verify if the final product conforms to business needs or operates as required in practical settings.

Read more: Quality Assurance Certification: Options, Testing, and Careers

Related terms

Explore the basics from professional project managers and software developers

Stay current about trends and job opportunities in the industry with Career Chat on LinkedIn. Explore how user acceptance testing fits into the fields of project management and software development with the following free resources:

Further accelerate your career growth in project management or software development with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses. 

Updated on
Written by:

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.