In Agile, clear communication of requirements is essential. The ‘Given-When-Then’ (GWT) format offers a structured way to define acceptance criteria, ensuring all stakeholders share a common understanding of a feature’s expected behavior.
Understanding the Given-When-Then Structure
Given
Specifies the initial context or preconditions.
When
Describes the action or event that triggers the behavior.
Then
Details the expected outcome or result.
Example of Given-When-Then in Practice
Given
The user’s account is in credit, and no recent withdrawals have been made.
When
The user attempts to withdraw an amount less than their card’s limit.
Then
The withdrawal should be completed without errors or warnings.
Benefits of Using Given-When-Then
- Clarity: Offers a straightforward way to express expected behavior, reducing ambiguity.
- Testability: Facilitates the creation of test cases that align with specified criteria.
- Collaboration: Encourages discussions among stakeholders, developers, and testers to ensure alignment.
Conclusion
By adopting the GWT format, Agile teams can enhance communication and ensure features meet the desired outcomes.
