Chapter 2 – Testing Throughout the SDLC
Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
A collaborative approach where examples of software behavior are expressed as executable specifications using a common language (typically Given-When-Then) shared by business, development and testing.
In simple words
BDD writes tests as plain-English scenarios so business, devs and QA agree on what the feature should do before code is written.
Exam tip
Given-When-Then and Gherkin/Cucumber examples usually point to BDD, not TDD.
Related terms
- Test-Driven DevelopmentRed-green-refactor: write a failing test, make it pass with the simplest code, then clean up.
- Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD)The team agrees on acceptance tests up front and only writes code that makes those tests pass.
- Specification by ExampleInstead of vague requirements, the team writes real input/output examples that also run as tests.
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