Try Before You Buy: Acceptance Testing In Technology Contracts

User acceptance testing (UAT) is defined by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board as formal testing with respect to user needs, requirements, and business processes, which is conducted to determine whether or not a system satisfies certain acceptance criteria. It is an essential aspect of many types of technology contracts, but is often overlooked.

On the one hand, those without technical backgrounds may gloss over specification or testing details. On the other, software engineers and other technology specialists may fail to consider the commercial or legal implications of how the contract is worded. This note aims to break down the key aspects of the UAT process, and provides a checklist of things to consider from both a customer and a supplier's perspective.