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Challenge of Embedded Users in Agile Acceptance Testing
publish date: 2026/06/19 10:25:34.292487 UTC
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The agile approach of embedding users in the development team has a significant practical challenge. What is it?
Correct Answer
It is difficult to find 'typical' users willing to work full-time with a development team, so acceptance tests may not reflect real usage
Explanation
While embedding users in agile teams is an attractive concept, it is difficult in practice to find typical users with general knowledge of how the system will be used who are willing to work full-time with the development team. The acceptance tests defined may not truly reflect practical usage, because the embedded user may be atypical or may adapt to developer working patterns rather than real end-user patterns.
Reference
Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition
