What is Acceptance Test-Driven Development?

Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) is a development methodology that emphasizes collaboration and communication among business customers, developers, and testers. This approach focuses on defining acceptance criteria before the development process begins, ensuring that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the desired outcomes. By creating acceptance tests based on these criteria, ATDD aims to verify that the software meets the business requirements and delivers the expected value.

In ATDD, the acceptance tests are written collaboratively by the stakeholders, often in a plain language that is easy to understand. These tests serve as the foundation for the development process, guiding the creation of the software and providing a concrete measure for success. By involving all parties in the early stages of development, ATDD helps in identifying potential issues, aligning expectations, and fostering a shared vision of the project goals. This methodology not only enhances the quality of the software but also ensures that it is closely aligned with the users' needs and business objectives.