What role do end-users play in user acceptance testing?

End-users play a crucial role in user acceptance testing (UAT) by validating the system's functionality. This stage of testing is primarily focused on ensuring that the system meets the needs and requirements of the end-users in a real-world context. Their involvement helps to ensure that the application is user-friendly, functions as intended, and satisfies the business requirements.

During UAT, end-users use the system as they would in their daily tasks, providing insight into its usability and identifying any issues that may have been overlooked during earlier testing phases. Their feedback is essential for confirming that the solution is ready for deployment and meets the users' expectations. By participating actively, end-users help to identify gaps between what was built and what the users need, thus ensuring a smoother transition to full deployment.