Release Sign-Off
Release Sign-Off is the formal approval given by QA and business stakeholders indicating that testing objectives are met, known risks are accepted, and the product is approved for release.
Release sign-off answers: “Are we confident to release this to production?”
1. Definition
Release Sign-Off is the formal approval given by QA and business stakeholders indicating that testing objectives are met, known risks are accepted, and the product is approved for release.
2. Purpose of Release Sign-Off
- Confirm testing completion against exit criteria
- Acknowledge known defects and risks
- Establish accountability and audit trail
- Enable controlled production deployment
3. Who Provides Release Sign-Off
- QA / Test Lead – Testing completeness and quality status
- Product Owner / Business – Business acceptance and risk approval
- Project Manager (sometimes) – Delivery readiness coordination
(Engineering may provide readiness input, but QA/business own sign-off.)
4. Inputs to Release Sign-Off
- Test Summary Report (TSR)
- Test Coverage & KPIs
- Defect status (open/closed, severity-wise)
- UAT outcomes and sign-off
- Production readiness checklist
- Risk assessment and mitigation plan
5. Release Sign-Off Criteria (Typical)
A release is considered for sign-off when:
- Exit criteria are met
- No open Critical defects
- Open High/Medium defects are documented and accepted
- Regression testing completed
- UAT completed or formally waived
- Rollback plan approved
6. Manual Tester’s Role
- Provide accurate quality assessment
- Highlight residual risks clearly (no surprises)
- Confirm test coverage and execution status
- Validate defect disposition (deferred/accepted)
- Support sign-off documentation
7. Release Sign-Off vs Go/No-Go Decision
| Aspect | Release Sign-Off | Go/No-Go |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Formal approval | Decision meeting |
| Timing | Final step | Preceding step |
| Output | Documented sign-off | Decision outcome |
8. Common Risks to Address Before Sign-Off
- Untested scope or partial coverage
- Environment gaps
- Known defects without acceptance
- Incomplete regression
- Data migration concerns
9. Common Mistakes
- Treating sign-off as a formality
- Hiding known risks to “go green”
- Missing business acceptance
- No documented rollback or contingency
10. Interview-Ready Answers
Short answer:
Release sign-off is formal approval confirming that testing is complete and the product is ready for production.
Detailed answer:
Release sign-off documents QA and business acceptance of testing results, known risks, and readiness, enabling controlled production deployment.
11. Key Takeaway
Release Sign-Off is not a guarantee of zero defects—it is a transparent, informed acceptance of quality and risk.