User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Usability Testing – these terms might sound similar but different. This blog will guide you about User Acceptance Testing vs. Usability Testing.

User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing – Overview

What is Usability Testing?

Usability testing is when people try out a product, website, or app to see how easy it is. The testing aims to identify users’ issues or problems while using the product. Usability testing can help improve the overall user experience and increase customer satisfaction.

During usability testing, participants are given specific tasks to complete while using the product. The testers observe and take notes on how the participants interact with the product, noting any areas of confusion or difficulty.

After the testing, the results are analyzed, and changes can be made to improve the product’s usability. Usability testing can be done at any stage of the product development process, from early prototypes to finished products.

For example, a company has developed a new mobile app. Before launching it to the public, they conduct usability testing by inviting individuals to use the app and provide feedback. The testers are given specific tasks to complete, and their interactions with the app are observed and recorded. The company can make necessary changes based on feedback to improve the app’s usability and ensure a better user experience.

Read all about – Usability Testing.

What is User Acceptance Testing?

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is testing that end-users or customers perform to ensure that the software or application meets their specific requirements and expectations. It is usually the last testing stage before the product is released.

During UAT, users go through required test scenarios and perform various tasks and actions to ensure the software works in different scenarios. They also report any issues or bugs they encounter during testing, and then the team works on fixing those issues.

Read all about – User Acceptance Testing

In summary, the development team should carry out UAT during the final stages of preparation before releasing the software to the end users.

User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing – Key Differences

Features	Usability Testing	UAT
Definition	Evaluates software’s ease of use and efficiency, including its interface, navigation, and user experience elements.	Verifies and validates that the software meets the user’s requirements and functions as intended in terms of functionality, usability, and performance.
Goal	Identify usability issues and enhance the software’s design and user experience.	Ensure that the software meets the business requirements and achieves the desired outcomes.
Testing time	It is done at all stages of software development.	This testing is conducted towards the end of the software development life cycle.
Testers	Usability experts, UI designers, and end-users who may interact with the software.	Actual end-users, business representatives, or subject matter experts who will perform real-world tasks.
Feedback	Focuses on subjective feedback, including user satisfaction, frustration, and experience.	Focused on objective feedback, including defects, issues, and discrepancies.
Tools	Various tools, such as mockups, wireframes, and design prototypes to observe user interactions and record observations.	Test management software, test automation frameworks, and API testing tools to verify functionality and check for defects.

User Acceptance Testing vs Usability Testing – Can they be automated?

Some aspects of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Usability Testing can be automated using various testing tools, notably the software’s user interface (UI) component. However, it is necessary to note that both UAT and Usability Testing rely heavily on subjective evaluation by human testers, which makes complete automation difficult.

For example, UI testing tools like Selenium or Testsigma can automate functional testing in UAT and simulate user interactions for Usability Testing. These tools can check if the software functions as intended and whether the user interface meets the usability standards.

Summary

Alright, folks! So, we’ve talked about UAT, Usability Testing, the differences between User Acceptance Testing and Usability Testing, and how important they are for a successful product launch.

User Acceptance Testing aims to ensure that the product meets stakeholders’ requirements, while Usability Testing aims to ensure the product is easy and intuitive for end-users. And lastly, we also discussed some tools that can help us automate some UI tests that would be executed as part of usability and UAT testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UAT , a usability testing?

Yes, UAT (User Acceptance Testing) is a type of usability testing that involves end-users evaluating a system to ensure it meets their needs and requirements.

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