Most web applications require several types of testing, but perhaps none of them is as important as testing for user acceptance.
If a program contains problems that significantly affect how it performs for end users, it can fail to generate enough sales to justify the cost of developing it.
To help prevent this from happening to your web applications, remember the following tips for user acceptance testing: Start With a Plan If you have already developed programs, you may feel sufficiently familiar with the development process to skip this step, but remember: if you develop a new program, the testing methodologies for previous programs might not apply to the program as well as you anticipate they will.
If nothing else, drawing up a plan will help you navigate through any unexpected difficulties in the testing process.
Use the Right Data The data you use for web applications testing should closely represent the data the program will contain when it goes live.
The best practice is to use the most recently captured data from the program.
Check Browser Compatibility If the program will be Internet accessible, it should be compatible with all the major web browsers.
A program that will be used internally does not have this application testing requirement.
It should, however, be checked for compatibility with the browsers that will be used to access it.
Evaluate Screen Texts The text of a program can determine whether end users will read the program's instructions, or attempt to operate the program without reading them.
In addition to choosing a font that looks professional and is easily readable, be sure the text is easy to understand, free of errors, and conveys exactly what it should.
Check Data Field Requirements Misappropriated field requirements can sabotage otherwise excellent programs.
The three biggest field errors are: (a) fields without enough character space, (b) mandatory fields that are not indicated as mandatory, and (c) fields that allow invalid entries, or do not allow valid entries.
Egregious errors such as these can make end users permanently abandon a program out of frustration.
Check Data Storage Be sure the program has the correct values stored in the right fields in the database table.
Remember that truncated values are typically not the correct values for the database table.
Evaluate Time-Outs Programs that time-out too soon can be extremely frustrating, as they can cause the user to lose unsaved data.
Programs that do not time-out soon enough, on the other hand, can increase the risk of data theft if the user leaves his or her computer unattended.
The key is to know how your target market will use the program, and what degree of data security they need.
Conclusion Application testing has several requirements, the most important of which is testing for user acceptance.
The tips above are helpful for predicting user acceptance for a variety of programs, but it is wise to consult a provider of web applications testing programs about the needs of your unique program.