14.4 - Acceptance Criteria
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Introduction to Acceptance Criteria
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Today, we will explore acceptance criteria, which define the conditions a user story must meet to be accepted as done. Can anyone tell me why these criteria are important?
I think they help clarify what needs to be done.
Exactly! Acceptance criteria ensure clarity and help prevent any misunderstandings between stakeholders and the development team. What's another reason they are useful?
They probably make sure that the work is testable.
Correct! They allow the testing team to verify that the requirements are met. Remember, clear acceptance criteria are essential to avoid ambiguity. Let's summarize key points: they ensure clarity and testability.
Writing Effective Acceptance Criteria
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Now that we understand the purpose of acceptance criteria, let's discuss how to write them effectively. What are some characteristics we should keep in mind?
They should be clear and specific?
Yes! They should also be testable and concise. An example of good acceptance criteria might be, 'A reset password link is sent to the registered email.' How would you identify if this criteria is clear or ambiguous?
If it clearly states what happens, then it's clear. If it leaves out details, it's ambiguous.
Exactly! Clarity is key. Let's recap; acceptance criteria should be clear, specific, tested, and concise.
Gherkin Language for Acceptance Criteria
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Next, let's talk about Gherkin language, which is used to express acceptance tests in a standardized format. Does anyone know the format?
Isn't it like that Given-When-Then format?
Great memory! The format is indeed Given, When, Then. For example, 'Given the user is on the login page, When the user clicks on
Forgot Password
Absolutely! Gherkin allows us to define different scenarios under one feature. This promotes clarity and consistency in our acceptance criteria. To summarize: Gherkin's structure aids in writing clear acceptance criteria using Given-When-Then format.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
This section explores the importance of acceptance criteria in Agile projects, emphasizing its role in establishing clarity and testability for user stories. It introduces Gherkin language for writing these criteria in a structured format.
Detailed
Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance criteria play a crucial role in Agile project management by defining the boundaries and conditions that must be met for a user story to be deemed 'done'. They not only ensure clarity but also provide testability and a shared understanding between stakeholders and the development team.
Examples of acceptance criteria include requirements such as:
- A reset password link is sent to the registered email.
- The link should expire after 24 hours.
- The user is prompted to enter a new password upon clicking the link.
The section also introduces Gherkin language, a structured format used in Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) to write acceptance tests. The Gherkin syntax is based on Given, When, Then statements that clearly state preconditions, actions, and expected outcomes of a scenario. An example of a Gherkin statement for a password reset includes:
Feature: Password Reset Scenario: Successful password reset request Given the user is on the login page And the user clicks on "Forgot Password" When the user submits their registered email address Then a reset link should be sent to that email And the link should expire in 24 hours
Effective acceptance criteria contribute to successful Agile projects by preventing ambiguity and supporting the development team in delivering functional requirements accurately.
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Definition of Acceptance Criteria
Chapter 1 of 4
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Chapter Content
Acceptance criteria define boundaries and conditions that the user story must meet to be accepted as done. They ensure clarity, testability, and shared understanding between stakeholders and the development team.
Detailed Explanation
Acceptance criteria are specific conditions that a user story must satisfy for it to be considered complete. They help clarify the expectations of all parties involved β including the development team and stakeholders β ensuring that everyone has the same understanding of what 'done' means. By defining these criteria, teams can avoid misunderstandings that might arise from ambiguous user stories.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you're planning a birthday party for a friend. You might set criteria for the party to be deemed successful: there should be a cake, at least five guests, and a playlist of their favorite songs. If these conditions are met, you can confidently say the party was a success. Similarly, acceptance criteria help teams know when they have successfully met a user's needs.
Examples of Acceptance Criteria
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Chapter Content
β
A reset password link is sent to the registered email.
β
The link expires after 24 hours.
β
The user is prompted to enter a new password upon clicking the link.
Detailed Explanation
These examples illustrate specific acceptance criteria related to a password reset feature. Each of these points clearly states what needs to happen for the story to be considered complete. For instance, the first criterion ensures that a user receives a password reset link, which is essential for fulfilling the user's request. The second specifies a time limit for the link's validity, adding a layer of security. The third states that the user must be prompted to create a new password, which is the final step needed to complete the process.
Examples & Analogies
Think of these acceptance criteria like a recipe for baking a cake. First, you need the right ingredients (the reset link), then you need to bake it for a specific amount of time (the expiration period), and finally, you need to decorate it before serving (prompting for a new password). Each step must be completed for the cake to be perfect!
Gherkin Language for Acceptance Criteria
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Chapter Content
Gherkin is a structured language used in Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) to write acceptance tests in a readable GivenβWhenβThen format.
Detailed Explanation
Gherkin language is a tool that helps in writing acceptance tests in an easily understandable format. It follows a structure that includes three key components: 'Given' describes the initial context or setup, 'When' indicates the action that the user takes, and 'Then' outlines the expected outcome. This structured approach not only makes tests more readable but also aids in collaboration between technical and non-technical team members.
Examples & Analogies
Consider teaching someone to drive using Gherkin language. You can set the context: 'Given the car is parked on the street', then describe the action: 'When the driver starts the engine', and finally state the expected result: 'Then the car is ready to drive'. This clear format helps anyone understand the steps involved.
Gherkin Syntax Example (Password Reset)
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Chapter Content
Feature: Password Reset
Scenario: Successful password reset request
Given the user is on the login page
And the user clicks on "Forgot Password"
When the user submits their registered email address
Then a reset link should be sent to that email
And the link should expire in 24 hours.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk provides a practical example of how acceptance criteria for the password reset feature could be written using Gherkin syntax. The feature is the general functionality being described (Password Reset), while the scenario outlines a specific case β a successful password reset request. The steps clarify what needs to happen from the user's perspective (the given state, the action taken, and the resulting state). This format allows developers to visualize the user interaction and understand what needs to be tested.
Examples & Analogies
Using the earlier cake analogy, think of this Gherkin syntax as a detailed instruction manual for baking the cake. It tells you the starting point (you have a baking pan), what to do next (mix ingredients), and the end goal (the cake is ready to be served). Each step is clear and ensures youβre on the right track.
Key Concepts
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Acceptance Criteria: Defines the conditions for completing a user story.
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Gherkin Language: A format for writing clear acceptance criteria.
Examples & Applications
Example of acceptance criteria: A reset password link is sent to the registered email.
Gherkin example: Given the user is on the login page, When the user clicks 'Forgot Password', Then they receive a reset link.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Acceptance criteria laid down tight, / Help teams know when tasks are right.
Stories
Once upon a time, a team wrote acceptance criteria for their user stories. Every time they followed the Gherkin structure, they found clarity and avoided confusion during tests!
Memory Tools
Remember the Gherkin format: 'G-W-T', for Given-When-Then.
Acronyms
AC for Acceptance Criteria helps project teams steer!
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Acceptance Criteria
Conditions that must be met for a user story to be deemed complete.
- Gherkin Language
A structured language used in Behavior-Driven Development for writing acceptance tests.
- Testability
The degree to which a requirement can be effectively tested.
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