HKSM

The explicit, agreed-upon conditions that must be satisfied before a deliverable can be formally approved and accepted.

Key Points

• Clear, measurable, and testable conditions that define when a deliverable is “done.”
• Agreed with key stakeholders and documented in the requirements and scope baseline.
• Provide the objective basis for approval during Validate Scope via inspection, testing, or review.
• Must be unambiguous and linked to specific requirements to prevent disputes and rework.

Example

For a CRM data migration deliverable: at least 99.5% of records match the legacy system, zero critical defects remain, a reconciliation report is approved by Finance, and Sales Operations signs off on user acceptance testing.

PMP Example Question

Which item defines the objective pass/fail conditions used to approve a project deliverable?

1. Acceptance criteria
2. Project charter
3. Work breakdown structure
4. Risk register

Correct Answer: A — Acceptance criteria

Explanation: Acceptance criteria specify measurable conditions for approval. The project charter authorizes the project, the WBS decomposes scope, and the risk register tracks risks.