Which backlog refinement outcome helps ensure acceptance criteria are clear?

• A. Re-prioritize the entire product backlog
• B. Clarify acceptance criteria
• C. Set project budget
• D. Determine the project deadline

Answer: (B)

Clarifying acceptance criteria during backlog refinement ensures a shared understanding of what constitutes completion for each item. Acceptance criteria define the specific conditions that must be met for the Product Owner to accept work and for the team to know when a story is truly done. When these criteria are clear, testing is straightforward, estimates are more accurate, and there’s less ambiguity about what’s in scope. For example, a password-reset feature might require that a reset email is sent within two minutes, the reset link expires in 24 hours, the UI shows a success message, and the flow remains secure. This clarity makes it easy to verify functionality and reduces rework from misinterpretation. Re-prioritizing the backlog, setting a budget, or determining a deadline address different aspects of planning and scheduling rather than ensuring acceptance criteria are explicit.