What is a UAT Environment in Software Testing — The Complete Guide

What is UAT (User Acceptance Testing)?

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is the final phase of the software testing process, where actual users test the application to ensure it meets their requirements and expectations. UAT helps verify that the system functions as intended and that all business requirements have been fulfilled. By conducting tests in a UAT environment, developers can ensure that the application performs correctly before going live, reducing the risk of issues in production.

UAT environments allow stakeholders or end-users to evaluate the software independently of the production environment, ensuring they can validate features without risking operational disruptions. It also provides an opportunity for users to confirm whether the software aligns with the business goals and that all functionalities work seamlessly according to their needs.

An Example of UAT:

There are many user acceptance testing tools. Suppose we are using, Testsigma, a no-code test automation platform, to automate UAT by simulating end-user actions. It allows stakeholders to create automated test cases without writing complex code. For instance, to test a banking app’s login feature, Testsigma could simulate user input, such as entering incorrect credentials and verifying that the system prompts an appropriate error message. This not only speeds up the testing process but also ensures consistency and accuracy in verifying critical functionalities before the software is released to production.

What is a UAT Environment?

The UAT test environment is an exact duplicate of production. Test code is not deployed into it for bug fixes or new user stories. The only code that’s deployed to UAT is a final release code version. The UAT environment intends to provide end users the ability to test in a production-like environment.

The UAT environment contains only code already tested by QA and development. The UAT environment does not receive any code deployments that are not final release candidate builds. By keeping the UAT environment pristine, UAT testers and end users are assured a truly realistic application experience

Why do we need a UAT environment?

The UAT environment needs to be separate and unique because it must mimic the real world as closely as possible for user acceptance testing. Test data needs to simulate production or live data. In the same way, the backend processes and connections need to be fully functional. It’s important that a UAT environment truly mimics the live server. Any differences in configuration, data, or data processing steps including APIs and database connectivity will affect how the application functions.

The UAT environment must be as close to the same as the production server for best results. Performing UAT testing in an exclusive test environment ensures the application features are tested as consumers will interact with and use them. A UAT environment provides a place to perform effective user acceptance testing tools to ensure the functionality meets the user’s needs.

2. How do you set up a UAT environment?

Step 1: Create a Separate Server Instance

1. Keep the UAT environment isolated from Development and QA to avoid interference.

2. Virtualization or cloud-based platforms can be considered for effective setup and management.

Step 2: Production-Equivalent Security

1. Implement security as it is in production.

2. Configure firewalls, access controls, and encryption of information that is sensitive.

3. At set intervals, review and update security configurations to respond to fresh threats.

Step 3: Replicate Production Infrastructure

1. Create the same database structures, APIs, and messaging systems as those in the production environment.

2. Data consistency and compatibility with the production environment.

3. Apply data masking or anonymization techniques for sensitive information.

Step 4: Define Roles and Responsibilities

1. Clearly define roles and responsibilities regarding code deployment, UAT environment management, and issue resolution.

2. Establish channels of communication and ways of escalating so that issues are responded to effectively.

Step 5: Integrate UAT into the Release Process

1. Bring the UAT environment under the preview of the release management process.

2. Define the deployment steps and checkpoints for moving code into the UAT environment.

3. Ensure that the production transition after a successful UAT is smooth and without any surprises.

Step 6: Create UAT User Accounts

1. Create user accounts for the UAT testing team.

2. Provide adequate permissions and levels of access based on testing needs.

3. Refer to guidelines on managing accounts and security practices.

Step 7: Prepare Representative Test Data

1. Create test data that accurately represents the types, formats, and volumes of data in the production environment.

2. Data privacy and compliance regulations should be adhered to.

3. Consider the use of data generation tools or techniques that will help create realistic datasets.

Step 8: Develop a Comprehensive UAT Test Plan

1. Define the objectives and scope of UAT testing.

2. Identify test scenarios, test cases, expected results.

3. Outline procedures for test execution and reporting requirements.

Step 9: Design Detailed Test Cases and Suites

1. It must be specific test cases developed to address all functional and non-functional requirements.

2. The test cases are to be organized into logical test suites based on system modules or features.

3. Prioritize the test cases according to risk and impact.

Step 10: Integrate Defect Tracking

1. Configure defect tracking tool including UAT environment.

2. Define fields and workflows for defect reporting and management.

3. Ensure that it is integrated with other project management tools for a streamlined workflow.

Step 11: Establish a Reporting Mechanism

1. Come up with a reporting framework to monitor UAT test execution, defects, and overall progress.

2. Produce clear and concise reports for stakeholders.

3. Analyze test results for trend/ area identification of improvement.

Automate UAT using Testsigma

UAT is typically performed towards the end of the software development life cycle when the software is close to being released. The testing is conducted from the end user’s perspective. Now you can automate your tests using tools and easily perform the testing.

Testsigma constitutes a cloud-based test automation platform presenting an exclusive AI-powered approach to user acceptance testing. It provides codeless test creation, cross-browser testing, and integration with popular tools as well as AI-powered testing: all of which are very strong and efficient features for the quality assessment of complex applications.

Features Of Testsigma

• Automate easily in simple English
• Start test automation in minutes
• Automate for web, mobile & APIs from the same place
• Save time on your test maintenance with AI-supported built-in features
• Easy and efficient test execution on the cloud
• Debug with the help of screenshots, videos, and logs easily
• Get reports that you can customize according to your needs
• Setup all your review and collaboration processes on the cloud
• Easily integrate with CI/CD tools
• Access your tests from anywhere, anytime
• Helpful support that is there for you 24×7

Example: Automated UAT for “Login” Functionality

First, you have to sign in to Testsigma.

Test Objective: Verify that a registered user can successfully log in to the Simply Travel website.

Pre-Conditions:

• A valid user account exists on Simply Travel.
• The user has access to the UAT environment URL.

Test Steps:

1. Navigate to the Simply Travel UAT environment: Open a web browser and navigate to https://simply-travel.testsigma.com/.
2. Access Login Page: Click on the “Login/Sign Up” button.
3. Select Login Option: Click on the “Login” option.
4. Enter Email Address: Enter a valid email address associated with a Simply Travel account in the “Email address” field. (Note: Replace <email> with the actual email address)
5. Click Continue: Click on the “Continue” button.
6. Enter Password: Enter the corresponding password for the provided email address in the “Password” field. (Note: Replace <password> with the actual password)
7. Submit Login: Click on the “Submit” button.

Here’s a screenshot of the test steps in the Testsigma application.

Expected Results:

• Upon successful login, the user should be redirected to the Simply Travel dashboard or homepage.
• The user should see their account name displayed on the website.
• No error messages should be displayed.

Pass/Fail Criteria:

• The user successfully logs in and accesses the dashboard/homepage (Pass).
• An error message is displayed during login (Fail).
• The user is unable to access the dashboard/homepage after login (Fail).

Are UAT and the test environment the same thing?

No. UAT is considered a pristine environment because no test or development code exists in it, only pre-release or release builds. The QA or test environment may have multiple code versions or temporary test code for verification purposes.

QA test and development servers are typically unstable. Due to variances in application configuration, settings, and code, these servers must be used for development and QA testing only. Customers and UAT testers should refrain from attempting to test in any other servers due to the developmental nature of the application code.

What is the difference between UAT and a test environment?

Common software development test environment differences include:

UAT environment examples

Having a UAT environment can serve multiple purposes for a software development team.

Example UAT environment uses include:

• Agile team demos for feature validation at release
• Validation testing for regulatory compliance needs
• Internal product management application validation
• Internal product verification of requirements
• Internal review of application state
• External customer validation and acceptance testing
• Sales and marketing demos to prospective clients
• Identifying defects not found during development and QA testing
• Identify application defects not visible until release deployment

UAT environment frameworks

Building a UAT framework includes several steps. The steps to building an effective UAT environment framework include:

• Identify the customers or end users participating in the UAT process
• Develop a UAT test plan that identifies the environment and access details
• Define the UAT deployment process
• Create a copy of production to server as a UAT server instance
• Duplicate security structures
• Duplicate connections including databases, APIs, and messaging systems
• Create users accounts and authentication credentials
• Create test data that mimics production and scrub it to make it generic
• Train UAT testers on reporting defects and issue escalation
• Create all customer-facing documentation available in production

UAT Test Environment Improves Customer Experience

UAT testing is vital to ensure applications meet customer needs effectively. UAT not only allows customers to verify requirements but also test to ensure the application functions in a way that meets the business objectives.

For development, having a UAT environment provides a handy release code reference. Developers and QA testers can use UAT to simulate production-level functionality without having to access production. Product managers and UI/UX design team members also benefit from using UAT to verify application functionality.

Creating a UAT environment that duplicates production as exactly as possible is critical. The UAT environment must be controlled so that only releasable code versions are deployed. Leave the test code on the development or QA servers. UAT must be kept pristine and stable for customer testing, customer demos, and validation testing. Create a UAT environment that increases your application’s customer experience by identifying defects in the release code.