What is the primary purpose of user acceptance testing (UAT)?

The primary purpose of user acceptance testing (UAT) is to confirm that the system meets users' needs and is ready for deployment. UAT is conducted by the end-users or stakeholders to validate the functionality of a system or application based on their requirements. This testing phase is critical because it ensures that the software behaves as expected in real-world scenarios and that it fulfills the specified business requirements before it is officially launched. Successful UAT signifies that users are satisfied with the functionality and can comfortably work with the new system, thus minimizing the risk of operational disruptions after deployment.

While addressing bugs is essential, particularly in earlier stages of software testing, UAT is less focused on identifying these issues. Instead, it focuses on user satisfaction and system usability, reinforcing that the product is fit for purpose. System performance assessment and user training are also important aspects, but they fall outside of the primary focus of UAT, which centers on meeting users' needs and readiness for deployment.