aiwg/agentic/code/frameworks/sdlc-complete/templates/deployment/product-acceptance-plan-template.md

Cognitive architecture for AI-augmented software development with structured memory, ensemble validation, and closed-loop correction. FAIR-aligned artifacts, 84% cost reduction via human-in-the-loop, standards adopted by 100+ organizations.

# Product Acceptance Plan Template

## Purpose

Define the criteria, responsibilities, and procedures for obtaining stakeholder acceptance of the solution prior to
release.

## Ownership & Collaboration

- Document Owner: Deployment Manager
- Contributor Roles: Test Architect, Project Manager, Requirements Reviewer
- Automation Inputs: Acceptance criteria catalog, test evidence matrix
- Automation Outputs: `product-acceptance-plan.md` with criteria, schedule, workflow

## Completion Checklist

- Acceptance criteria mapped to requirements and tests
- Stakeholder roles and approval workflow documented
- Acceptance schedule and evidence capture defined

## Document Sections

1. **Introduction**
   - Purpose, scope, and references to requirements and test plans.
2. **Acceptance Objectives**
   - Describe what acceptance seeks to validate and success definition.
3. **Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities**
   - List stakeholders, their acceptance authority, and communication channels.
4. **Acceptance Criteria**
   - Map criteria to requirements, use cases, or quality attributes.
5. **Acceptance Tests and Evidence**
   - Identify tests, demonstrations, or reviews providing evidence.
6. **Schedule and Logistics**
   - Provide timeline, environments, data preparation, and checkpoints.
7. **Approval Workflow**
   - Outline sign-off steps, required artifacts, and decision-making process.
8. **Issue Management**
   - Define how acceptance issues are logged, resolved, and retested.
9. **Risks and Mitigations**
   - Document risks that may impact acceptance and mitigation plans.
10. **Acceptance Sign-off**
    - Include sign-off table with stakeholder names, roles, and dates.

## Agent Notes

- Maintain traceability to requirements and test evidence to streamline audits.
- Coordinate schedule with Deployment Plan and Test Evaluation Summaries.
- Update status and evidence links promptly to keep stakeholders informed.
- Verify the Automation Outputs entry is satisfied before signaling completion.