What are Acceptance Criteria?
Acceptance Criteria are a set of predefined requirements that a software product must meet to be accepted by a user, client, or stakeholder. They are essential in the context of Functional Testing, ensuring the software behaves as expected and fulfills the agreed-upon needs. Typically outlined in user stories or specifications, these criteria serve as a standard against which the functionality of the software can be verified.
Purpose of Acceptance Criteria
1. Clarification: They provide clarity for developers and testers about what needs to be accomplished.
2. Alignment: Helps align the expectations of stakeholders with the development team.
3. Validation: Facilitates the validation process during Functional Testing, ensuring all aspects of the user story are addressed.
Characteristics of Effective Acceptance Criteria
Effective Acceptance Criteria should be:
- Clear: Should be unambiguous to avoid confusion.
- Measurable: Must be quantifiable or testable to verify compliance.
- Relevant: Need to align with the business value of the software.
- Concise: Should be kept brief to enhance understanding.
Examples
For instance, an acceptance criterion for an e-commerce site could be: "Users must receive a confirmation email after successful order placement." This criterion can be validated through Functional Testing, ensuring the feature works as intended.