Acceptance Criteria refers to a set of predefined conditions or requirements that a product, project, or task must meet in order to be considered complete and satisfactory. These criteria are typically established by stakeholders, such as clients, users, or project managers, and serve as a benchmark for evaluating the success and quality of the deliverable. Acceptance Criteria outline specific functionalities, features, performance levels, or other measurable attributes that must be present or achieved for the acceptance of the final outcome. They provide clear guidelines and expectations for the development team, ensuring that the end result aligns with the desired objectives and meets the needs of the stakeholders.
Acceptance criteria are the specific conditions or requirements that must be met in order for a product or service to be considered acceptable or satisfactory. These criteria are typically outlined in a contract or agreement between two parties, and serve as a means of ensuring that both parties are on the same page regarding the quality and functionality of the product or service being provided. Acceptance criteria may include factors such as performance standards, testing requirements, and other specifications that must be met in order for the product or service to be deemed acceptable. Failure to meet these criteria may result in penalties or other consequences as outlined in the contract or agreement.
Q: What are acceptance criteria?
A: Acceptance criteria are a set of conditions or requirements that must be met in order for a user story or feature to be considered complete and functioning as expected.
Q: Why are acceptance criteria important?
A: Acceptance criteria help ensure that the development team and stakeholders have a shared understanding of what needs to be delivered. They provide clarity and help prevent misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
Q: Who is responsible for defining acceptance criteria?
A: Typically, the product owner or business analyst is responsible for defining acceptance criteria. However, it is a collaborative effort involving the development team, stakeholders, and subject matter experts.
Q: How should acceptance criteria be written?
A: Acceptance criteria should be written in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). It is recommended to use a structured format, such as Given-When-Then or a checklist.
Q: Can acceptance criteria change during the development process?
A: Yes, acceptance criteria can change as the project progresses. They should be treated as living documents that can be refined, updated, or added to based on feedback, new requirements, or evolving business needs.
Q: How many acceptance criteria should a user story have?
A: The number of acceptance criteria can vary depending on the complexity of the user story or feature. It is important to have enough acceptance criteria to cover all the necessary functionality and edge cases, but not so many that they become overwhelming or redundant.
Q: Should acceptance criteria be prioritized?
A: Yes, acceptance criteria can be prioritized based on their importance or criticality. This helps the development team focus on the most essential aspects first and ensures that the highest value requirements are met.
Q: Can acceptance criteria be automated?
A: Yes, acceptance criteria can be automated using various testing frameworks or tools. Automated acceptance tests can help validate that the software meets the specified criteria and can be used for regression testing.
Q: How often should acceptance criteria be reviewed?
A: Acceptance criteria should be reviewed and refined regularly throughout the development process. They should be discussed and clarified during sprint planning, grooming sessions, or whenever there are changes or updates to the requirements.
Q: What happens if acceptance criteria are not met?
A: If acceptance criteria are not met, the user story or feature is considered incomplete and should not be considered done. It may require further development, bug fixing, or re
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
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