ISTQB FOUNDATION 4.0 | Tutorial 41 | Acceptance Criteria | Test Design Techniques | CTFL Tutorials

Summary

This tutorial delves into acceptance criteria for user stories in ISTQB Foundation Level certification, emphasizing their importance in collaborative writing and testing. Acceptance criteria define the conditions that must be met for a story to be considered complete, serving as test conditions for developers and testers alike. The video discusses various formats for writing these criteria, including scenario-oriented and rule-oriented approaches, and stresses the need for clarity and achievability to ensure effective testing and stakeholder consensus.

Takeaways

• 📘 Acceptance criteria are conditions that must be met for a user story to be considered complete and accepted by stakeholders.
• 📝 They are a continuation of collaborative user story writing, ensuring each story has clear and achievable conditions.
• 🔍 Acceptance criteria help to define the scope of a user story and reach a consensus among stakeholders about what is achievable.
• 📊 They serve as a basis for user story acceptance testing, allowing both business users and testers to conduct tests.
• 📈 Acceptance criteria are crucial for accurate planning and estimation, providing a clear understanding of what needs to be achieved.
• 📝 Common formats for writing acceptance criteria include scenario-oriented (Given-When-Then) and rule-oriented (bullet points or tables).
• 🛠 Test engineers should review acceptance criteria for achievability and testability before accepting a story into a sprint.
• 🔑 The 'Given-When-Then' format is often used in Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) for writing acceptance criteria.
• 🗣️ Acceptance criteria are derived from conversations and should be well-defined and unambiguous for the team to understand.
• 🤔 Testers must be curious and question vague acceptance criteria, seeking precise information to ensure they are testable.
• 📚 The significance of acceptance criteria lies in their ability to guide the development and testing process, ensuring clarity and completion.

Q & A

What is the main topic of this tutorial?

The main topic of this tutorial is 'Acceptance Criteria' in the context of ISTQB Foundation Level certification, specifically discussing its importance and how it relates to test analysis and design.

What are acceptance criteria in the context of user stories?

Acceptance criteria are conditions that an implementation of a user story must meet to be accepted by the stakeholders. They define the scope of the user story and serve as the basis for user story acceptance testing.

Why are acceptance criteria important for a test engineer?

Acceptance criteria are important for test engineers because they provide a clear set of conditions to test against, ensuring that the functionality meets the stakeholders' expectations and can be considered complete.

What is the significance of having clear and achievable acceptance criteria?

Clear and achievable acceptance criteria are significant because they help in defining the scope of work, reaching consensus among stakeholders, and allowing for accurate planning and estimation of the time required to meet those criteria.

How can acceptance criteria help in reducing the scope of a user story?

Acceptance criteria help in reducing the scope of a user story by specifying the exact conditions that need to be met, which can prevent the story from becoming too broad and ensure focus on the essential requirements.

What are some common formats for writing acceptance criteria?

Common formats for writing acceptance criteria include scenario-oriented formats like 'Given-When-Then' used in BDD, and rule-oriented formats such as bullet point verification lists or tabulated input-output mappings.

Why is it important for a test engineer to review acceptance criteria before picking up a story?

It is important for a test engineer to review acceptance criteria before picking up a story to ensure that the criteria are testable, achievable, and clear, which helps in planning and conducting effective testing.

What does the 'Given-When-Then' format represent in acceptance criteria?

The 'Given-When-Then' format represents a scenario-oriented approach to writing acceptance criteria, where 'Given' sets the precondition, 'When' describes the action, and 'Then' specifies the expected outcome.

How can acceptance criteria be used to reach consensus among stakeholders?

Acceptance criteria can be used to reach consensus among stakeholders by providing a clear and precise description of what is expected from the implementation, allowing all parties to agree on the requirements before development begins.

What should a test engineer do if they find the acceptance criteria to be vague or unachievable?

If a test engineer finds the acceptance criteria to be vague or unachievable, they should raise the issue with the product owner and stakeholders to seek clarification and ensure that the criteria are specific, measurable, and testable.

How can acceptance criteria help in planning and estimation of a project?

Acceptance criteria help in planning and estimation by providing a detailed and precise understanding of what needs to be achieved, allowing the team to allocate resources and time effectively based on the requirements.