How do you define the scope and criteria of user acceptance testing?

Understand the project goals and scope. Clarify roles and responsibilities of the team and users. Align UAT goals with project objectives, avoiding scope creep. Utilize tools such as project charter, scope statement, requirements traceability matrix. Emphasize simplicity in communication and UAT planning. Create a simplified UAT plan or checklist for better understanding and effective user participation.

I've worked on user acceptance for many major corporations. My advice: start simple and straightforward. 1. Don't drown the users in procedures. 2. Start with a small group of users and talk to them face to face (or at least with a tool such as Zoom). 3. Train them to use the service/product but then say: "Let's run it together for 30mn and tell me what you like and don't like." 4. Then fix the functions this little group doesn't like. 5. Repeat these face-to-face meetings until this group is happy. 6. Expand the group a bit with direct contact. 7. Once this expanded group is happy, you are ready to formalize the process and write acceptance scenarios and the standard acceptance documents. Just remember: user satisfaction is the key.

Defining the scope and criteria of user acceptance testing involves identifying the key functionalities and features that the end-users will test. This includes outlining specific scenarios and use cases that reflect real-world usage. Establish clear acceptance criteria for each functionality, detailing what constitutes a pass or fail. Ensure these criteria align with the user's needs and expectations, and involve key stakeholders in this process for comprehensive coverage and relevance.

I've always leveraged a very basic question at the genesis of a project. Regardless if the project was for software development, custom tool development, out of the box software selection or network/IPT deployment project. Simply ask the team, stakeholders and sponsors "What problem are we looking to resolve" If all parties are in alignment regarding the issue/challenge which needs to be addressed, then understanding and developing the down stream efforts will be align. If there is not synergy between all the stakeholders, then step one is to conjoin these differences to a singular direction. Otherwise, the project and those responsible for developing an outcome will be in a continual loop attempting to hit critical mass.

User acceptance testing (UAT) defines the scope by focusing on end-user requirements and business objectives. It ensures that the software meets user needs and functions as intended in the real-world environment. Criteria include verifying usability, functionality, and performance against specified requirements. Clear communication with stakeholders and documenting acceptance criteria is crucial for UAT's success. Its goal is to validate the system's readiness for production and ensure it aligns with project objectives and user expectations.

Apart from obvious criteria requested by the user community, you need to consider various regulatory requirements, if apply to your project (e.g. if your project is related to defence, aircraft, healthcare or other regulated industries), and include these. This might impact both scope of the testing and the way it's conducted and documented.

User acceptance is not simply an effort to be utilized at the end of an endeavor. The criteria to meet the project goals is a continually evolving process. Case in point. Custom tool development requires engineers to build code to a list of stakeholder requirements. The testing criteria would be specific to the current level of tool development. As the tool development progresses, the criteria will evolve to a point when final UAT is required. Alternatively, for Network implementation projects, the criteria is solely dependent on who is completing the ready for function testing. Networking admins will have their own UAC, End users will require a different UAC criteria all together.

Establish criteria that the chatbot must meet to be considered successful from the user's perspective. Criteria might include accuracy of information provided, response time, user-friendliness, and ability to escalate complex issues to a human agent. Example: The chatbot should correctly interpret and respond to at least 90% of customer inquiries and escalate less than 5% to human agents.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) scope and criteria are defined to ensure software meets business needs. It includes confirming functionality aligns with user expectations, focusing on system features critical to end-users, and validating usability under typical conditions. Criteria involve defining specific scenarios, success metrics, and expected outcomes. User involvement is key to identifying acceptance criteria, often aligning with real-world scenarios to ensure the system is fit for purpose.

Frame UAT criteria around measurable improvements on critical user paths. But also incorporate qualitative feedback on convenience and perceived intelligence to holistically evaluate value. > Ensure Relevance: Collaboratively build UAT scenarios tied to high-priority jobs-to-be-done. Continually reconnect criteria to evolving user needs. > Consider Qualitative Factors: Supplement quant metrics with subjective feedback on perceived utility and ease of use. > Design Trust-Building Guards: Rigorously test edge cases that could break user trust if handled poorly. > Benchmark Progress: Establish incremental performance benchmarks spanning prototypes to production.

Depending on the project requirements, UAT is defined by the problem the project is tasked to resolve. Consumers of custom software tools will look to functionality testing of the user interface and ability to complete the given task easily and efficiently. Software development teams will look to validate the backend functions such as API integration and code level requirements are achieved. On the other side of the spectrum, networking and physical layer project will focus on network availability and performance for the network admins (ex: network connectivity or RF coverage) while the end users UAT will concentrate on end device functionality (ex: warehouse pick automation hardware) is validated.

User acceptance testing (UAT) defines the scope and criteria of testing based on end-user requirements. It involves creating test cases that reflect real-world scenarios to ensure the system meets user expectations. Criteria include functional validation, usability, and performance. Test cases should be detailed, covering typical workflows and edge cases. Validation involves users verifying the system’s behavior, aiming to ensure it's fit for purpose and aligns with their needs.

Create specific test cases based on the acceptance criteria. These should cover a range of expected user interactions. Test cases should include both typical and atypical user queries to assess how well the chatbot handles various scenarios. Example: Test cases might include a customer asking for store hours, seeking help with a return, or inquiring about product availability.

Develop scenario-based test cases that holistically cover critical paths and exceptions. Continually gather live user feedback to close potential gaps between test regimes and reality. Cover Critical Paths > Address Exceptions > Maximize Automation > Bridge Test Environments > Continuously Inspect

User acceptance testing (UAT) defines the scope by focusing on validating system functionality against user requirements. Criteria involve assessing usability, functionality, and performance. Select testers based on their role relevance, domain expertise, and representative end-user characteristics to ensure comprehensive testing.

Often, I’ve seen individuals selected for UAT because of their job title or the testing effort has always been within their realm of control. The challenge with this approach is these users are pre-ordained to the requirements and lack the ability to view a testing scenario from a fresh perspective. The old saying “If you want to understand who runs an office or company, talk with the administrative staff for the managers”. This holds true for selecting the appropriate testing community. Individuals who are not part of the project but ultimate consumers of the ‘gizmo” are the perfect candidate for UAT. They have a clear and non-bias perspective which will give very clear understanding if the development team have achieved their goals.

Choose testers who represent the chatbot's end users, such as actual customers or employees who interact with customers. Ensure a diverse group of testers to cover a wide range of perspectives and use cases. Example: Select a mix of tech-savvy users and those less comfortable with technology, as they would represent the broader customer base.

User acceptance testing (UAT) defines the scope and criteria of testing based on end-user requirements. It involves planning test scenarios that mirror real-world use cases, ensuring all features are validated as per user expectations. UAT criteria should cover functionality, usability, performance, and compatibility. Execution involves end-users performing tests, reporting issues, and validating fixes. This iterative process ensures the system meets user needs before final deployment.

Focusing on non-Green Field Network Implementation UAT requirements. PM’s often miss the requirement to conduct UAT testing prior to the work effort commencing. Validating functionality of end user devices will save the deployment team time once the new network is deployed. Classic Use Case: Customer has a non-functioning corporate TV or radio feed streaming to the site. If the pre UAT is not completed (and sighed off by the customer) prior to the network refresh, then the deployment team will be tasked to troubleshoot and resolve the functionality of the feed prior to full acceptance of the service deliverables. Post implementation validation is nothing more than completing the pre UAT. UAT of RF/WIFI is another topic entirely.

Develop a testing plan that schedules test cases, assigns them to testers, and outlines the process for collecting feedback. Conduct the testing in an environment that simulates real-world use as closely as possible. Example: Testers interact with the chatbot in a staged environment that mimics the retail website, using a variety of devices and internet conditions.

Analyze results against acceptance criteria. But also gather qualitative feedback on convenience and areas for improvement to guide ongoing enhancements. > Quantitatively Measure: Evaluate test pass rates against defined acceptance criteria. Identify priority defects by user impact and severity. > Review Subjective Feedback: Synthesize tester feedback on usability and areas for improvement. Surface emotional perception issues. >Plan Continuous Improvement: Log defects and requests for ongoing grooming. Develop production feedback mechanisms and benchmarking. > Confirm Aligned Value: Validate delivered capabilities address user needs. Obtain sign-off verifying acceptance criteria are met.

User acceptance testing (UAT) defines the scope by focusing on scenarios that mirror real-world usage. Criteria for UAT include identifying specific test cases, establishing acceptance criteria, and ensuring test environments simulate production conditions. UAT evaluates functionality, usability, and compatibility against business requirements. Confirmation entails verifying that the system aligns with user needs and resolves any discrepancies before deployment. This process ensures that the software or system is ready for user adoption and minimizes post-deployment issues.

Collect and analyze feedback from the testers to evaluate whether the chatbot meets the defined criteria. Identify any issues or areas for improvement and determine whether they need to be addressed before launch. Example: Analyze the frequency of correct responses, user satisfaction ratings, and any recurring issues identified by testers.