UAT Test Automation vs. Manual UAT Testing: Pros & Cons
Tags: uat, test, automation
Published: 2023-03-06 13:48:43

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Introduction on UAT automation testing
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a critical part of the software development life cycle that ensures the developed software meets the user requirements and expectations.

UAT is typically performed by end-users, stakeholders or a dedicated testing team before the software is released to production.

UAT testing is manual or automation?
Definition of UAT Testing
UAT testing is a type of testing that verifies if the software application is suitable for release by checking if it meets the business requirements and user needs. It is the final stage of software testing and provides a last line of defense before the software is deployed to the production environment.

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Read: User Acceptance Testing: Why it Matter
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Explanation of UAT Test Automation and Manual UAT Testing: 
UAT Manual Testing is manual testing by end-users, stakeholders, or a dedicated testing team.
UAT Test Automation is the use of automated testing tools and scripts to perform UAT testing.
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UAT Test Automation is best suited for repetitive, routine and high-volume testing scenarios, while manual UAT testing is best for complex, non-standard and exploratory testing.

What is UAT testing in manual testing and how can it be useful?
1. Increased Speed and Efficiency
UAT Test Automation can significantly increase the speed of testing by automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Automated testing scripts can run faster and with fewer errors compared to manual testing, reducing the overall time required for UAT testing.

2. Improved Accuracy and Consistency
Automated UAT testing eliminates the potential for human errors, such as typos and incorrect test inputs, that can occur during manual testing. It also ensures consistent and repeatable testing results, providing more reliable and accurate information about the software's performance.

3. Reduced Manual Effort and Errors
Automated UAT testing reduces the manual effort required for UAT testing, freeing up resources for other critical tasks. It eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing the potential for data entry errors and inaccuracies.

4. Ability to Handle Complex and Repetitive Tasks
Automated UAT testing can handle complex and repetitive testing scenarios, such as testing large amounts of data or testing a large number of configurations. It can repeat tests as many times as required, providing confidence in the software's reliability and performance.

5. Enhanced Collaboration and Reporting
Automated UAT testing enables collaboration between team members and stakeholders, allowing for real-time monitoring and reporting of testing progress and results. It provides detailed and accurate reporting, including test cases, results, and performance data, improving decision making and problem resolution.

Challenges in UAT manual testing
1. Initial Investment in Tools and Resources
UAT Test Automation requires a significant initial investment in tools, hardware, and software, including testing tools and software, automation frameworks, and other infrastructure. This investment can be a major drawback for organizations with limited budgets or resources.

2. Requires Technical Skills and Expertise
UAT Test Automation requires technical skills and expertise, such as knowledge of scripting languages, testing frameworks, and automation tools. This requirement can be a challenge for organizations that do not have the necessary skills and expertise in-house.

3. Can be Inflexible and Rigid
Automated UAT testing can be inflexible and rigid, making it difficult to accommodate changes in requirements or testing scenarios. It may not be able to handle unexpected or non-standard testing scenarios that are best addressed through manual testing.

4. Maintenance Costs and Resource Requirements
Automated UAT testing requires ongoing maintenance and updating of tools and scripts, adding to the cost and resource requirements of UAT testing. It needs dedicated resources for maintenance and support, which can be a challenge for organizations with limited resources.

5. Dependence on Reliable Test Data and Environments
Automated UAT testing depends on reliable test data and environments, which can be a challenge for organizations that lack these resources. It can be affected by changes in the test environment, such as changes in the software architecture or dependencies.

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Read: User Acceptance Testing: Best Practices to Follow
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How to overcome these challenges with Opkey?
Opkey is a comprehensive test automation platform that helps organizations with automated Oracle UAT, SAP UAT, Workday UAT, and Salesforce UAT. Opkey addresses the challenges of UAT Test Automation by providing the following features and benefits:

1. Easy to Use and Customizable
Opkey provides a user-friendly interface and intuitive interface, making it easy to create and manage UAT testing scenarios. 
It allows for custom scripting and testing scenarios, providing the flexibility to handle changes in requirements or testing scenarios.
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2. Technical Skills and Expertise Not Required
Opkey eliminates the need for technical skills and expertise in scripting and automation, allowing organizations to perform UAT testing with minimal training and support. 
It provides a library of pre-built test cases and scripts, reducing the effort and cost of UAT testing.
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3. Cost-Effective and Scalable
Opkey provides a cost-effective solution for UAT testing, reducing the initial investment required for automated testing tools and resources. 
It provides scalable testing solutions, allowing organizations to perform UAT testing at any scale, from small to large testing projects.

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4. Reliable Test Data and Environments
Opkey provides reliable and consistent test data and environments, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of UAT testing results.
It provides real-time monitoring and reporting of testing progress and results, improving collaboration and decision making.
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5. Ongoing Maintenance and Support
Opkey provides ongoing maintenance and support, ensuring that testing tools and scripts are always up-to-date and working optimally.
It provides dedicated resources for maintenance and support, reducing the effort and cost of UAT testing.
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Benefits of Manual UAT testing
1. Ability to Handle Complex and Non-Standard Scenarios
Manual UAT testing provides the ability to handle complex and non-standard testing scenarios, which may not be feasible with automated testing. This flexibility allows manual UAT testing to identify and address unexpected or unique issues and anomalies.

2. Flexibility and Adaptability to Changing Requirements
Manual UAT testing provides the flexibility to adapt to changing requirements or testing scenarios, making it a suitable option for organizations with evolving testing needs. This adaptability allows manual UAT testing to accommodate changes in requirements, test data, and other factors that may affect testing outcomes.

3. No Technical Skills or Resources Required
Manual UAT testing does not require technical skills or resources, making it accessible to organizations with limited technical resources or expertise. This eliminates the need for specialized training or support, reducing the cost and effort of UAT testing.

4. Direct Interaction with the System and Users
Manual UAT testing provides direct interaction with the system and users, allowing testers to gather feedback and insights from real-world use cases. This interaction helps to identify potential issues and improve the overall user experience of the system.

5. Possibility of Early Discovery of Unexpected Issues and Anomalies
Manual UAT testing provides the opportunity for early discovery of unexpected issues and anomalies, improving the overall quality and reliability of the system.

This proactive approach to testing helps to prevent potential issues from becoming critical problems, reducing the risk of project delays and cost overruns.

Challenges in UAT manual testing
1. Time-Consuming and Prone to Human Errors
Manual UAT testing is often time-consuming, requiring significant effort and resources to complete. It also increases the risk of human errors, affecting the accuracy and reliability of testing outcomes.

2. Limited Scope and Coverage
Manual UAT testing is often limited in scope and coverage, making it challenging to test all aspects of the system thoroughly. This limited coverage increases the risk of missed issues and potential quality problems, affecting the overall performance of the system.

3. Dependence on Manual Testing Resources
Manual UAT testing is dependent on manual testing resources, making it challenging to ensure consistent and reliable testing outcomes. This dependence on manual testing resources increases the cost and effort of UAT testing, reducing the efficiency of testing activities.

4. Lack of Reporting and Tracking Capabilities
Manual UAT testing often lacks the reporting and tracking capabilities of automated testing, making it challenging to monitor testing progress and results. This lack of reporting and tracking capabilities limits collaboration and decision making, reducing the overall efficiency of UAT testing.

5. Difficulty in Testing Complex and Repetitive Tasks
Manual UAT testing can be difficult and time-consuming for complex and repetitive tasks, reducing the efficiency and accuracy of testing outcomes.

This difficulty in testing complex and repetitive tasks increases the risk of human errors and potential quality problems, affecting the overall performance of the system.

Difference between manual and automated UAT testing: A quick checklist to choose from 
Use manual UAT testing when:
Complex and non-standard testing scenarios are required
Requirements and testing scenarios are subject to change
Technical skills and resources are limited
Direct interaction with the system and users is necessary

Use automated UAT testing when:
Speed and efficiency of testing is a priority
Accuracy and consistency of testing outcomes is important
Complex and repetitive tasks are required
Enhanced collaboration and reporting is necessary
Consider both manual and automated UAT testing when:
A balanced approach to testing is desired, taking into account the strengths and limitations of each approach.
The testing requirements and scenarios are complex and may benefit from a combination of manual and automated testing techniques.