Requirements 101 - The Gherkin Format

In today's post, let's go back to basics and look at a format for communicating requirements that has served Product Managers well over the years.

While there are lot of new techniques out there, the Gherkin format has stood the test of time as a way to communicate in plain English and ensure collective understanding of requirements.

It is also easily understood as a format with AI agents so once you understand the format simply 'wash, rise and repeat' through your preferred AI tool to accelerate your requirements game.

Using Gherkin to Document Product Requirements as a Product Manager

In our world, clarity and precision in documenting product requirements is essential. One approach that has always served me well is using the 'Gherkin' format for writing and managing product requirements. This blog post explores the theory behind Gherkin, its history, application, benefits, limitations, and how it can be integrated with other documentation methods to provide a comprehensive set of requirements.

Understanding Gherkin: Theoretical Foundation

Gherkin is a domain-specific language designed to describe software's behaviour without detailing how that functionality is implemented. It allows teams to define application behaviour using plain text, enabling business, developer and testing teams to understand what is needed from concept to implementation.

The simplicity of Gherkin lies in its structured format:

Key Terms and Process

Gherkin is centred around a few key terms and a straightforward process:

• Feature: This keyword initiates a Gherkin document and provides a high-level description of the functionality that is to be delivered.

• Scenario: Denotes a specific situation or use case that needs to be tested.

• Given, When, Then: This is the heart of Gherkin syntax.

  • Given: Sets up the initial context of the scenario.

  • When: Describes the action or event that triggers the scenario.

  • Then: Outlines the expected result or outcome of the scenario.

• Background: Used to define steps common to all scenarios in a feature.

• Scenario Outline: Allows the creation of scenarios that can be run multiple times with different data sets.

The process involves writing human-readable stories that are then translated into tests. This ensures a shared understanding among team members about what the application should do.

The Origin of Gherkin: A Brief History

Gherkin was born out of the Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD) methodology, which emerged in the early 2000s. BDD evolved from Test-Driven Development (TDD) as a way to foster collaboration between developers, testers, and non-technical stakeholders by using language that is accessible to all.

BDD helped bridge communication gaps within development teams and Gherkin was developed as a way to document BDD practices in a structured format that could be automated.

Applying Gherkin to Document Product Requirements

As product managers, using Gherkin to document requirements can standardise how requirements are collected, documented, and communicated. Here's how Gherkin can be applied:

1. Feature Definition: Begin by defining what the product or feature aims to achieve. This includes the business value and the high-level goal of the feature.

2. Scenario Identification: Identify and list all the scenarios that the feature should cover. This involves understanding user interactions and edge cases that need to be documented and tested.

3. Collaborative Writing: Engage various stakeholders, including developers, QA analysts, and business users, in writing Gherkin scenarios. This collaboration ensures that everyone's perspective is considered, and potential misunderstandings are resolved early.

4. Continuous Refinement: As the project progresses, scenarios may need to be updated or refined based on feedback or changing requirements. Gherkin's clarity and simplicity make it easy to modify existing scenarios or add new ones.

Real-life Applications of Gherkin

Gherkin has been successfully employed by various businesses across industries to streamline their product management processes. Here are a few examples:

• Retail: A major online retailer uses Gherkin to document and test user stories related to their e-commerce platform. By writing scenarios in Gherkin, the product team can ensure that the checkout process meets all user requirements and regulatory standards.

• Finance: Financial institutions have adopted Gherkin to specify requirements for their mobile banking apps. The clear, structured format helps teams verify that transactions and account management features are reliable and user-friendly.

• Healthcare: Healthcare software companies utilise Gherkin to define and validate user stories related to patient data management systems. This ensures compliance with industry regulations and enhances patient care.

Benefits for Business Stakeholders

Gherkin offers several advantages for business stakeholders:

• Enhanced Communication: By using plain language, Gherkin improves communication between technical and non-technical team members, reducing the risk of misunderstandings.

• Alignment and Clarity: Gherkin scenarios clearly define expectations and outcomes, ensuring all stakeholders agree on the product's functionality.

• Traceability and Accountability: With Gherkin, it is easier to track requirements and align them with business objectives, promoting accountability at all project stages.

Limitations of Using Gherkin

Despite its benefits, Gherkin comes with certain limitations:

• Learning Curve: Team members unfamiliar with BDD may need time to learn how to write effective scenarios in Gherkin.

• Overhead: Writing detailed Gherkin scenarios can be time-consuming, especially for large projects with numerous features and edge cases.

• Misinterpretation Risk: If scenarios are not well-defined, there is a risk of misinterpretation, leading to incorrect implementation.

Integrating Gherkin with Other Documentation Techniques

Gherkin is most effective when used alongside other documentation techniques. Here’s how it can be integrated:

• User Stories: Begin with high-level user stories to capture the user's perspective and then detail the acceptance criteria using Gherkin scenarios.

• Wireframes and Prototypes: Use visual models to complement Gherkin scenarios, providing a holistic view of the product’s functionality and design.

• Functional Specifications: Combine Gherkin with detailed functional specs to ensure complete coverage of business and technical requirements.

Example Template: Writing a Gherkin Scenario

Here is a simple template for creating a Gherkin requirement using the 'Given, When, Then' format:

Feature: User Login

As a user, I want to log into the application so that I can access my account.

Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials

  Given the user is on the login page

  When the user enters a valid username and password

  And clicks the login button

  Then the user should be redirected to the dashboard

Scenario: Unsuccessful login with invalid credentials

  Given the user is on the login page

  When the user enters an invalid username or password

  And clicks the login button

  Then an error message should be displayed

Scenario Outline: Password reset

  Given the user has forgotten their password

  When the user requests a password reset

  Then a reset link should be sent to "<email>"

  Examples:

    | email            |

    | user1@example.com |

    | user2@example.com |

By incorporating Gherkin into the product development lifecycle, teams can ensure better alignment, improved communication, and a shared understanding of project goals and outcomes. When used effectively alongside other documentation methods, Gherkin can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of product management processes.