What are acceptance criteria?

Acceptance criteria are defined as the conditions that a product must satisfy in order for stakeholders to accept the product. They serve as a set of clear and concise requirements that outline what needs to be achieved for the project deliverables to be considered complete and satisfactory. By establishing acceptance criteria, project teams can align their work with stakeholder expectations, ensuring that the end product meets the necessary standards of quality and functionality.

These criteria provide a clear framework for testing and validating whether the product fulfills the agreed-upon requirements. They also help in avoiding misunderstandings or disputes regarding the scope of work, as everyone involved has a shared understanding of what constitutes successful completion. This makes acceptance criteria critical for managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring project success.

In contrast, options referring to specifications before project initiation, design documents for development, and budget limitations do not capture the essence of acceptance criteria, which focus specifically on the conditions for stakeholder satisfaction once the product is developed.