What is a typical characteristic of a well-defined acceptance criteria?

A well-defined acceptance criteria should be clear and concise. This characteristic ensures that all stakeholders, including the development team and product owner, understand the requirements and conditions that need to be met for a feature or user story to be considered complete. Clarity prevents misunderstandings and helps the team focus on delivering the specific value intended. Conciseness avoids unnecessary complexity, making it easier for the team to reference and utilize the criteria during development and testing phases.

In addition, clear and concise acceptance criteria aid in the validation process, as they provide an objective benchmark against which the final product can be assessed. When criteria are straightforward, it simplifies discussions around fulfillment and helps maintain focus on delivering high-quality results that align with user needs and business objectives.