13/06/2026
Most people write requirements. The best PMs write acceptance criteria.
There's a difference.
Requirements say "users should be able to withdraw funds."
Acceptance criteria says:
✅ GIVEN a verified user with balance > $10
WHEN they submit a withdrawal request
THEN the system shows a risk disclaimer, requires 2FA confirmation, and logs the action with a timestamp
I've been building security features for a crypto wallet platform — things like withdrawal review permissions, API key management, abnormal operation alerts.
Every single one starts with Given/When/Then.
It removes ambiguity. Developers know exactly what to build. Testers know exactly what to verify. Reviewers know exactly what to approve.
Bad acceptance criteria is where most product delays are born.
What's your go-to format for writing acceptance criteria?