Make the expected behavior observable
“Users can update a record” leaves the reviewer to decide which users, which fields and what should happen to invalid input. Name the role, the starting record and the permitted change. Include any calculation or status transition that must follow.
Prepare the input before reviewing the implementation. That gives the developer and the person accepting the work the same example to examine. For an export, include its required columns and values. For an approval, identify what must be stored after the decision.
Check rejected actions too
These examples show the shape of an acceptance check. The precise roles and rules belong in the application’s own requirements.
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| Starting condition | Action | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| A read-only user can view a record | Send an update request directly to the server | Reject the change; retain the stored value |
| A required field is empty | Submit the form | Identify the missing field; preserve other entries |
| An import has already completed | Submit the same import identifier | Apply the agreed duplicate rule; report the outcome |
Describe an interrupted operation
Specify the expected state after an unavailable API, interrupted import or rejected database update. Which records may already have changed? Can the action be repeated safely? Does someone need to inspect the result first?
Background processes also need a definition of completion. A run that accepts some rows and rejects others should expose both outcomes. Include the log, notification or recovery control when it is part of the agreed scope.
Keep a reproducible review record
Save the software version, environment, input and observed result with each failed check. Another person should be able to repeat it. After a correction, rerun the affected check and examine related behavior.
If the review introduces a new requirement, record it separately from a defect against the original one. That preserves the basis for acceptance while allowing the new work to be considered.