Exit Criteria
Exit Criteria are the predefined conditions that must be satisfied to formally conclude a testing phase. They help determine when testing is sufficient and can be stopped.
Exit Criteria answer: “Is testing complete and can we move forward?”
1. Definition
Exit Criteria are the predefined conditions that must be satisfied to formally conclude a testing phase. They help determine when testing is sufficient and can be stopped.
2. Purpose of Exit Criteria
- Define clear stopping points for testing
- Ensure adequate test coverage
- Control quality and risk
- Support release and sign-off decisions
- Avoid endless testing
3. Common Exit Criteria in Manual Testing
3.1 Test Case Execution
- All planned test cases executed
- Required test coverage achieved
3.2 Defect Status
- No open critical or high-severity defects
- Acceptable number of medium/low defects
- Defects reviewed and approved by stakeholders
3.3 Test Results & Quality Metrics
- Pass percentage meets expectations
- Defect leakage within acceptable limits
- Risk assessment completed
3.4 Documentation Completion
- Test execution reports prepared
- Test summary report completed
- Known issues documented
3.5 Stakeholder Approval
- Test lead sign-off
- Business/UAT approval (if applicable)
4. Exit Criteria at Different STLC Phases
| STLC Phase | Exit Criteria |
|---|---|
| Requirement Analysis | Requirements reviewed |
| Test Planning | Test plan approved |
| Test Design | Test cases reviewed |
| Test Execution | Tests executed + defects addressed |
| Test Closure | Test summary approved |
5. Exit Criteria vs Entry Criteria
| Aspect | Exit Criteria | Entry Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Stop testing | Start testing |
| Focus | Completion & quality | Readiness |
| Decision | Go/No-Go | Start/Wait |
6. Real-Time Example
Testing should not exit if:
- Critical payment defects are open
- Core user flows fail
- Test coverage is incomplete
Exit criteria protect the business from premature release.
7. Risks of Weak Exit Criteria
- Incomplete testing
- High production defect leakage
- Customer dissatisfaction
- Emergency hotfixes
8. Interview-Ready Answers
Short answer:
Exit criteria define the conditions under which testing is considered complete.
Detailed answer:
Exit criteria specify quality thresholds, defect status, and coverage levels that must be met before concluding a testing phase or releasing the software.
9. Key Takeaway
Exit Criteria ensure testing ends with confidence, not assumptions.