Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance Criteria Definition

Acceptance Criteria refers to a set of predefined conditions or requirements that a product or feature must meet in order to be considered acceptable or complete. It serves as a guideline for the development team to ensure that the end result aligns with the expectations and needs of the stakeholders.

What is Acceptance Criteria?

Acceptance Criteria are an essential part of the Agile development process. They provide a clear definition of what needs to be accomplished for a user story or feature to be considered done. These criteria are typically written in collaboration with the product owner, development team, and other stakeholders to ensure a shared understanding of the desired outcome.

Acceptance Criteria Method

The Acceptance Criteria method involves breaking down user stories or features into specific, measurable, and testable requirements. These criteria act as a contract between the development team and the stakeholders, outlining the functionality, behavior, and quality standards that must be met. By defining the acceptance criteria upfront, the team can focus on delivering value and meeting customer expectations.

Acceptance Criteria Examples

1. User Story Acceptance Criteria:

For example, if the user story is “As a user, I want to be able to reset my password,” the acceptance criteria could include:

• The user should be able to access the password reset page.
• After entering their email, the user should receive a password reset link.
• Clicking on the link should redirect the user to a page where they can set a new password.

2. Agile Acceptance Criteria:

In an Agile environment, acceptance criteria are often written in a specific format, such as Given-When-Then. For instance:

• Given a registered user on the login page,
• When the user enters the correct email and password,
• Then the user should be redirected to the dashboard.

Acceptance Criteria in Agile

In Agile development, acceptance criteria play a crucial role in ensuring that the team understands the requirements and can deliver the expected outcome. By defining acceptance criteria during the sprint planning or backlog refinement sessions, the team can estimate the effort required and prioritize the work effectively. This helps in maintaining transparency, reducing rework, and delivering value incrementally.

Acceptance Criteria Format

Acceptance criteria can be written in various formats, depending on the team’s preference and the complexity of the requirement. Some common formats include:

• Bullet points: A simple list of requirements.
• Given-When-Then: A structured format that describes the preconditions, actions, and expected outcomes.
• Test scenarios: Detailed test cases that cover different scenarios and edge cases.

How do you write good acceptance criteria?

To write good acceptance criteria, it is important to keep the following best practices in mind:

1. Be specific and measurable: Clearly define what needs to be accomplished and how it will be measured.
2. Use clear language: Avoid ambiguity and ensure that the criteria are easily understandable by all stakeholders.
3. Focus on user value: Ensure that the acceptance criteria align with the user’s needs and expectations.
4. Keep it testable: The acceptance criteria should be verifiable through testing or other means.
5. Collaborate with stakeholders: Involve the product owner, development team, and other stakeholders in defining the acceptance criteria to ensure a shared understanding.

Wrap Up

Acceptance Criteria are a vital component of the Agile development process, providing a clear definition of what needs to be accomplished for a product or feature to be considered complete. By following best practices and involving stakeholders in the process, teams can ensure that they deliver value and meet customer expectations effectively.