QA vs UAT Testing - What's the Difference?

When you're developing software, testing isn't just a step but a foundation for delivering something that truly works. But not all testing is the same. Quality Assurance (QA) focuses on catching issues early and ensuring the product is built right, while User Acceptance Testing (UAT) checks if it’s the right product for the people who’ll actually use it.

If you’ve ever wondered how these two approaches differ or why both matter, this breakdown will give you the clarity you need.

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What is QA (Quality assurance) testing?

In software development, Quality Assurance (QA) testing is a crucial process focused on identifying and fixing bugs, ensuring usability, and maintaining performance standards before a product is released.

It combines manual and automated tests to evaluate the software’s quality at various stages of development. It aims to ensure each component meets specified requirements and functions as expected.

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QA testing improves functionality, usability, and performance to help produce a reliable product that works smoothly and aligns with user expectations and business goals.

How does QA testing work?

QA testing, originally rooted in principles from early manufacturing practices, has evolved to fit the software world. It adapts these methods to identify bugs, enhance functionality, and ensure the software meets both user expectations and business goals.

It’s a collaborative effort between testers, developers, and stakeholders to refine and perfect the software through rigorous analysis and testing.

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The process resembles assembling a puzzle, step by step:

Analyze requirements: QA teams start by understanding what the software should do, ensuring there’s no confusion.
Plan tests: They create a roadmap, deciding what needs to be tested, how, and when.
Design test cases: Test cases or checklists are prepared to validate features and functionalities.
Run tests: These test cases are executed to uncover bugs or performance hiccups.
Retest and reassess: Fixes are retested, and regression tests ensure no new issues pop up.
Report results: Findings are shared with the team to improve the product and processes.

Classification of QA testing types

QA testing can be categorized into six key types, each addressing a different aspect of software quality:

Application under test (AUT): Focuses on testing specific platforms, such as web, mobile, or desktop applications, to address compatibility and performance.
Application layer: Targets software architecture layers - UI, backend, and APIs - ensuring all components and interactions function smoothly.
Attribute-based testing: Evaluates qualities like performance, security, usability, and functionality through specialized tests like load or penetration testing.
Testing approach: Differentiates between manual, automated, or AI-driven testing strategies, each suited to specific scenarios and goals.
Granularity: Covers testing at different levels, from detailed unit tests to comprehensive end-to-end system tests.
Testing techniques: Employs black-box, white-box, or gray-box methods to address functionality, internal logic, or a mix of both.

Example scenario

Let’s imagine you’re part of a team developing a new food delivery app, "SnackTrack." The app lets users browse restaurants, place orders, and track deliveries in real-time. Before the app goes live, it needs QA testing to ensure everything works as expected.

Step 1: Analyze requirements

First, the team reviews the requirements. What’s the goal? Users should be able to select multiple toppings, switch between crust options, and see the updated price instantly. You also check for any additional rules, like “no more than five toppings allowed” or “gluten-free crust should add $2 to the total.”

Step 2: Plan the testing

Next, you plan how to test this feature. What devices will you test on? (Think iPhones, Androids, tablets.) Which scenarios will you cover? You decide to test everything from a simple pepperoni order to a loaded, five-topping gluten-free masterpiece.

Step 3: Design test cases

Now it’s time to write test cases. For example:

Test Case 1: Add one topping and verify the price updates correctly.
Test Case 2: Try to add six toppings and check if the app prevents it.
Test Case 3: Choose “gluten-free crust” and ensure $2 is added to the total.

You also include a checklist to verify the feature looks good on different screen sizes and doesn’t crash the app.

Step 4: Execute tests

You start testing. You add extra cheese and mushrooms, switch to gluten-free crust, and watch as the total updates. Everything works! Then you try adding six toppings – An error message appears. You note this as a bug and let the developers know.

Step 5: Retest and perform regression testing

The developers fix the bug, and you retest the six-topping scenario. This time, the app displays a message: “Maximum of five toppings allowed.” Perfect! But you’re not done yet. You also check other parts of the app, like the checkout process, to ensure the fix didn’t accidentally break something else.

Step 6: Report results

Finally, you document everything. You list the test cases you ran, the bugs you found, and their status (fixed or still open). This report helps the team track progress and prepare for the next round of testing.

The outcome

Once all issues are resolved, SnackTrack’s pizza customization feature is ready for users. Thanks to QA testing, customers can enjoy their personalized pizzas without any unexpected glitches - or extra olives they didn’t order!

What is UAT (User acceptance testing)

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is the final phase of the software testing process, where actual users validate that the system meets their needs and performs as expected in real-world scenarios. It’s not about finding bugs but about ensuring the software aligns with business requirements and provides a seamless experience for its intended audience.

uat-characteristics

During UAT, end-users or stakeholders test the software in a controlled environment that mimics real usage. They verify key functionalities, ensure workflows are intuitive, and confirm that the software solves their specific problems. Successful UAT signifies that the software is ready for deployment, meeting both technical specifications and user expectations.

How does UAT work?

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a structured process where real users or stakeholders test the software to ensure it meets their needs and aligns with business requirements. It’s like a final rehearsal before launching the product into the real world. The goal is to confirm that the system functions as intended, workflows are intuitive, and all critical requirements are met.

uat-testing-process

Here’s how the UAT process unfolds:

Prepare the UAT environment: Set up a testing environment that closely mimics the production setup to provide a realistic testing experience.
Provide test scenarios: End-users or business representatives are given predefined test scripts or scenarios to evaluate critical functionalities.
Execute tests: Testers interact with the software just as they would in real-world use, validating features, workflows, and usability.
Log issues: Any problems, such as missing features, usability gaps, or unexpected behaviors, are documented for review and resolution.
Retest fixes: Once the issues are addressed, testers verify the fixes to ensure the software meets requirements.
UAT sign-off: After all criteria are met, stakeholders provide approval, signaling the product is ready for deployment.

UAT testing types

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) can be categorized into different types, each with a specific purpose in validating the software before its release:

Alpha testing: Conducted by internal teams or selected users in a controlled environment. It identifies critical issues early, ensuring the software is stable before external testing.
Beta testing: Performed by real users in a live environment to gather feedback on usability, functionality, and overall performance. This helps fine-tune the software based on actual user experiences.
Regulatory acceptance testing (RAT): Ensures the software adheres to legal, regulatory, and industry standards, especially important in sectors like finance or healthcare.
Contract acceptance testing (CAT): Validates that the software fulfills all contractual agreements and deliverables specified by clients or stakeholders.
Business acceptance testing (BAT): Focuses on confirming that the software supports business processes and objectives, ensuring it meets operational needs effectively.
Operational acceptance testing (OAT): Evaluates operational aspects such as backup, recovery, and maintenance to ensure the system is ready for deployment and ongoing support.

uat-testing-types

Example scenario

Imagine a new e-commerce platform, "ShopEase," is ready for its final review before going live. The development team has implemented features like user registration, product browsing, a shopping cart, and a payment gateway. It’s now time for User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to confirm that the platform meets business requirements and delivers a smooth shopping experience.

Step 1: Preparing for UAT

The QA team sets up a UAT environment that mirrors the production setup, complete with sample products, mock payment gateways, and test user accounts. A group of stakeholders, including business representatives and a few selected end-users, is invited to participate.

Step 2: Assigning test scenarios

Each participant is given specific test scenarios to simulate real-world usage. For example:

Registering as a new user and logging in.
Searching for a product, filtering by price, and adding it to the cart.
Checking out, applying a discount code, and completing payment.
Simulating an issue, like entering invalid card details, to test error handling.

Step 3: Testing the system

The testers perform their assigned scenarios, interacting with the platform exactly as real customers would. For instance, one tester searches for a smartphone, filters by brand, and adds it to the cart. Another tester tries to apply an expired discount code to see if the system rejects it.

Step 4: Logging issues

During testing, participants log issues such as slow load times on the product pages, confusing error messages during checkout, or incorrect discount calculations. These issues are documented and reported to the development team.

Step 5: Retesting and approval

Once the issues are resolved, testers revisit the same scenarios to ensure the fixes work as expected. For example, the slow-loading product pages now load instantly, and the discount code functionality behaves correctly.

Step 6: UAT Sign-Off

After all tests pass and stakeholders are satisfied, the business representatives provide a formal UAT sign-off. This confirms that "ShopEase" is ready to launch, with features that meet both business objectives and user expectations.

QA vs UAT testing: Key differences

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When to use QA vs UAT?

QA testing:

Use throughout the development lifecycle to catch bugs, improve functionality, and ensure performance.
Ideal for testing technical aspects like code quality, integrations, and system reliability.
Ensures the software meets internal quality standards.

UAT testing:

Use in the final phase before deployment to validate real-world usability.
Ideal for confirming the software meets business needs and user expectations.
Ensures the product is ready for live use by its intended audience.

How QA integrates with UAT

QA and UAT are complementary processes that work together to ensure software quality and readiness for deployment. QA focuses on detecting and resolving technical issues throughout development, laying a solid foundation for UAT. By the time UAT begins, QA ensures the software is stable, functional, and free of major defects.

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During UAT, feedback from end-users may uncover usability issues or gaps in meeting business requirements. This feedback loops back to the QA team, which works with developers to address these concerns.

Together, QA ensures technical excellence, while UAT validates user satisfaction and alignment with business goals. This integration ensures a seamless transition from development to deployment.

Conclusion

No single testing method addresses all software requirements. That’s why leading organizations use a mix of QA and UAT strategies at various stages of development for optimal outcomes.

Global App Testing: Your partner in QA and UAT

Global App Testing (GAT) enhances your QA and UAT processes with its innovative platform and global network of testers. With a combination of advanced tools with real-world insights, GAT helps ensure your software meets technical standards and user expectations efficiently and effectively.

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Key advantages of Global App Testing:

Diverse environments: GAT tests across various devices, OS, and networks, closely simulating real user conditions.
Crowdsourced expertise: Access to a global network of testers enables rapid and extensive testing capabilities.
Broad coverage: Allows simultaneous testing of different application aspects, such as functionality, usability, and localization.
Cost efficiency: Outsourcing with GAT is more economical than maintaining a large in-house team, reducing recruitment, training, and infrastructure costs.
Immediate feedback: Real-time analytics from GAT aid in swift issue resolution and development, hastening time-to-market.
Flexibility and scalability: GAT's adaptability suits fluctuating testing demands and multiple project management.
Versatile testing support: Accommodates various test types, including exploratory, regression, and performance testing.
Global insight: GAT's worldwide tester base of 90,000+ testers offers critical insights for globally relevant applications.

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