Which testing phase directly involves end-users?

User acceptance testing (UAT) is the phase that directly involves end-users. This phase occurs after the software has passed various technical tests, including unit, integration, and performance testing. The primary goal of UAT is to ensure that the software meets the needs and expectations of its intended users. In this phase, end-users interact with the software in a real-world scenario, providing feedback on its usability, functionality, and overall experience.

The involvement of end-users is critical as they are the ones who will ultimately use the software in their day-to-day tasks. Their perspective helps to identify any issues that may not have been captured in earlier testing phases, ensuring that the final product is not only technically sound but also user-friendly and aligned with user requirements. Thus, UAT serves as a final validation step to confirm that the software is ready for deployment and will effectively meet its intended purpose.