What is the impact of user acceptance testing (UAT) in systems design?

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) plays a crucial role in systems design by ensuring that the system meets user needs before it goes live. This phase of testing is typically the last step before the software is released into a production environment, providing an opportunity for actual users to interact with the system in a real-world scenario. During UAT, end-users validate that the software functions as intended and fulfills the requirements outlined during the initial stages of the project. Their feedback is essential; it can lead to adjustments or enhancements required for the system to successfully support business processes.

UAT helps identify issues that may not have been apparent during earlier testing phases, such as functional discrepancies, usability challenges, or unmet requirements. By addressing these concerns before launch, organizations can reduce the risk of costly fixes and operational disruptions after the system goes live, ultimately leading to higher user satisfaction and better system adoption.

The other options pertain to different aspects of system development and evaluation. Validating system performance under load primarily occurs during stress testing, not UAT; finalizing the software feature list occurs earlier in the project planning stages; and determining the budget for ongoing system maintenance typically takes place after the system is implemented, based on operational requirements rather than during UAT.