Acceptance Criteria

Definition

Acceptance criteria are a set of predefined conditions that a product or system must meet to be accepted by stakeholders. These criteria ensure that the final output aligns with the initial requirements and expectations, serving as a basis for functional testing and performance validation. They help clarify requirements, facilitate communication among team members, and provide measurable standards for success.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Acceptance criteria should be clear, concise, and testable to ensure they can be effectively evaluated during testing.
2. They are typically created during the requirements gathering phase and are crucial for validating the functionality of the product.
3. Acceptance criteria can be written in various formats, including user stories or checklists, depending on the team's preference.
4. These criteria help prevent scope creep by clearly defining what is included in the project and what constitutes 'done.'
5. Effective acceptance criteria improve communication among team members and stakeholders by setting common expectations.

Review Questions

• How do acceptance criteria contribute to the functional testing process?
  • Acceptance criteria are essential in functional testing as they provide specific conditions that must be met for a product to be accepted. They guide testers in evaluating whether the system meets the defined requirements by outlining what success looks like. When testers assess the product against these criteria, it helps ensure that all functionalities are validated and that stakeholders' expectations are met.
• Discuss the relationship between acceptance criteria and performance validation in product development.
  • Acceptance criteria play a critical role in performance validation by defining measurable outcomes that a product must achieve under specific conditions. While acceptance criteria focus on ensuring functionality meets stakeholder expectations, performance validation assesses how well those functions perform when subjected to real-world demands. Together, they ensure that not only does the product work correctly, but it also performs efficiently within the expected limits.
• Evaluate the impact of well-defined acceptance criteria on project outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.
  • Well-defined acceptance criteria significantly enhance project outcomes by providing clarity and direction throughout the development process. By establishing clear benchmarks for success, teams can work more effectively, minimizing misunderstandings and ensuring alignment with stakeholder expectations. This ultimately leads to higher levels of stakeholder satisfaction, as products are delivered that meet their needs and quality standards, reducing the likelihood of costly revisions or rework.

Related terms

Functional Testing: A type of testing that verifies whether the system performs its intended functions as specified in the requirements.

Performance Validation: The process of ensuring that a product meets performance standards under specified conditions and workloads.

Requirements Specification: A detailed description of the system's expected behavior and features that serves as a foundation for developing acceptance criteria.