Acceptance criteria template
A simple acceptance criteria template: three to six yes-or-no checks that say when work is done. Examples for emails, reports, designs, and tickets.
Acceptance criteria are the short list of things that must be true for work to count as done. Not "it looks good." Instead: "the price is in dollars," "it fits on one page." Write them before the work starts and nobody argues after.
When to use it
With any task brief. Especially for work that has come back before, work for a client, and work handed to someone new.
The template
Done checks for: [task name]This is done when all of these are true:1. [A sentence someone can test with yes or no]2. [A sentence someone can test with yes or no]3. [A sentence someone can test with yes or no]4. [Optional]5. [Optional]6. [Approver's name] has approved it.
Rules: three to six checks. Each one testable. Each one about the result, not the effort. If you need more than six, split the task.
Filled examples
A customer email
- The first two lines say what is changing and when.
- It says what the customer must do the first time they log in.
- The help article link opens the right page.
- It does not mention the pricing change.
- It is under 150 words.
- Dana has approved it.
A one-page report for leadership
- It fits on one page.
- It opens with the decision leadership needs to make.
- It shows the three findings that bear on that decision, each with its number.
- Every chart has a title and a source.
- The two interviews are included.
- Priya has approved it.
A design
- Empty, filled, and error states are all shown.
- It uses components from the design system.
- Text is readable on a phone screen.
- Copy matches the approved wording in the brief.
- The file is in the shared folder with the agreed name.
A Jira ticket
- A Team plan customer sees an Invoices section on the billing page.
- The last 12 invoices are listed, each with a working PDF download.
- The page loads in under 2 seconds.
- Nothing else on the billing page changed.
How to tell a good check from a bad one
| Bad | Why | Good |
|---|---|---|
| It looks professional. | Not testable. | It uses the brand font and colors. |
| Spent enough time on it. | About effort, not result. | All three plans are listed with prices. |
| Covers everything the client needs. | Too vague. | Answers the three questions in the client's email, in order. |
| Is perfect. | Nothing is. | Dana has approved it. |
Where M-Tracker fits
In M-Tracker, done checks live with the task. When the work is marked done, M-Tracker reads the brief, the checks, and the work, and tells the person which checks are met and which are not. They fix the gaps before you see it.
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