Acceptance Testing

Definition

Acceptance testing is the client-and-delivery check that agreed representative cases, outputs and failure behaviors match the written acceptance criteria.

Why it matters to the business

It turns completion into an observable standard rather than a subjective claim that the build appears finished.

How it works

The scope defines representative test cases. The implementation is exercised against them, defects are corrected, and accepted behavior is recorded before stabilization.

Where it appears in real systems

Lead routing tests, integration sample records, dashboard reconciliation and AI evaluation examples can all form acceptance cases.

Common failure modes

• The criteria were never written.
• Only the happy path is tested.
• Test data does not resemble real inputs.
• A known failure is pushed into maintenance instead of fixed before acceptance.

Implementation considerations

• Write acceptance criteria before implementation.
• Include representative edge cases.
• Record expected failure behavior.
• Separate acceptance defects from later scope additions.

When it is appropriate

Use explicit acceptance testing for every bounded implementation where observable output can be defined.

When it is not appropriate

Do not treat acceptance testing as a substitute for unresolved business decisions or missing client dependencies.

Relationship to BYFORCE

All five BYFORCE packages use written scope, testing and acceptance before stabilization or the next commercial stage.

Source basis

• docs/commercial/BYFORCE_PACKAGE_BIBLE.md
• docs/website/BYFORCE_SELF_SERVICE_INTAKE_SPEC_2026-09-23.json