Definition
A testing phase covering the installation, commissioning and operational and maintenance processes for the service or product.
Comment
First office application, or FOA, is often seen as a synonym for beta testing: typically "FAO" is used to describe testing where there is only one site (beta tests usually take place with many customers).
Often the FOA is closely supervised by the supplier and development teams.
Also see: Beta testing


On many programmes and large projects, testing will take up a significant portion of the budget. But it will receive less management attention than an activity of this size warrants.