Test Phase Overview

Phase	Unit Test (UT)	Integration Test (IT)	System Test (ST)	User Acceptance Test (UAT)
When	Earliest formal testing. Units of code are tested before they are integrated with other units.	Follows successful unit testing of each integrated unit or module	Follows successful integration testing of components and occurs prior to releasing code to customer for acceptance testing	Follows successful system testing and occurs prior to system implementation. Generally, this is the last major phase of testing.
Type	White box testing	White box testing	Black box testing	Black box testing
Who	Developers other than the code creators	Technical staff, including experienced developers who test independently from developers who created the programs	Technical testing staff who test independently from developers who created the programs	User (customer) testing staff who test independently from technical testing staff and developers who created the programs
Skills	Experienced developers with: · Basic knowledge of functional requirements · Strong analytical skills · Strong knowledge of: - Technical requirements - System architecture - Database structure - Detailed design specifications for the integrated units/modules - Unit testing methodologies · Ability to maintain cooperative relationships and communicate well with other technical staff	Experienced developers with: · Basic knowledge of functional requirements · Strong analytical skills · Strong knowledge of: - Technical Requirements - System architecture - Database structure - Detailed design specifications for the integrated units/modules - Unit and integration testing methodologies · Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with business analysts and communicate with both technical and functional staff	Experienced technical testers with: · Strong knowledge of functional requirements · Strong analytical skills · Strong knowledge of technical requirements including - System architecture - Database structure - Detailed design specifications for the fully integrated system · Strong knowledge and experience with integration and system testing methodologies. · Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with business analysts and communicate with both technical and functional staff · Test-to-break attitude	Experienced business analysts with: · Expert knowledge of the functional requirements and business operations · Basic knowledge of technical requirements · Expert business operations knowledge · Strong knowledge and experience with acceptance testing methodologies · Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with developers and communicate with both technical and functional staff · Test-to-break attitude