Effective User Acceptance Testing (“UAT”) begins with well-prepared test scripts. Test scripts provide a structured framework for validating that a model, program, or template performs as intended—both in terms of functionality and calculation accuracy. Without them, it’s difficult to ensure thorough, consistent testing or to trace and address issues systematically.
A comprehensive UAT should cover two key areas:
- Functionality Testing – Verifies that specific actions or features can be executed correctly. For instance, checking whether a template successfully sends an email to users.
- Calculation Testing – Ensures that outputs are accurate and based on correct inputs and logic. For example, a system may successfully send emails (functionality), but if it sends them to the wrong recipients due to an error in data referencing, it fails the calculation test.
To strengthen coverage, UAT test scripts should include both:
- Positive Testing – To confirm that the solution produces expected results under correct inputs.
- Negative Testing – To check how the solution handles invalid inputs or errors. A well-designed model should flag or halt processing when it encounters critical issues, rather than proceeding with misleading outputs.
Each test script typically includes the following fields:
- Test Scenario – A brief description of the action or condition being tested.
- Expected Results – The correct output or behavior based on the scenario.
- Observed Results – The actual output produced by the model or system.
- Status (Pass/Fail) – Based on a comparison of expected vs. observed results.
- Remarks/Explanation – Notes on discrepancies, assumptions, or additional observations.
Well-documented test scripts not only support a successful UAT exercise but also become valuable references for future maintenance, audits, and system enhancements.