How to write acceptance criteria: Definition, formats, examples

Acceptance criteria are a critical component of agile methodologies and product management, serving as predefined conditions that a product or feature must fulfill to be accepted by stakeholders or customers. These criteria offer clear guidelines for developers, promote understanding across teams, form a basis for testing, and help manage customer expectations, ultimately enhancing satisfaction. Acceptance criteria can be prescriptive, providing detailed requirements, or guiding, offering a broader view with more creative freedom. Utilizing formats like Given-When-Then and Gherkin language can streamline the writing and implementation of acceptance criteria, ensuring clarity and effective communication among development teams. They differ from the definition of done, which applies to all user stories, while acceptance criteria are specific to each story. By aligning expectations and preventing scope creep, well-defined acceptance criteria play an essential role in delivering high-quality software that meets user needs efficiently.