Chapter 2 – Testing Throughout the SDLC
Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
Acceptance testing performed to check operational aspects such as backup/restore, disaster recovery, maintainability and security by operations staff.
In simple words
Ops team checks that the system is deployable, monitorable and recoverable.
Exam tip
OAT is done by the operations team, not end users.
Related terms
- Acceptance TestingThe ‘go / no-go’ testing that confirms the system meets business needs and is ready to be released to real users.
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT)Real users try the software and decide if it’s good enough to ship.
- Maintainability TestingCheck how easy it is for developers to change the code safely.
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