Entry & Exit Criteria

 

Entry Criteria and Exit Criteria in Software Testing

In software testing, it is important to know when to start testing and when to stop testing. This is where Entry Criteria and Exit Criteria help. They act like simple checkpoints that guide the testing process and make sure testing is done in an organized way.

Entry Criteria

Entry Criteria are the conditions that must be completed before the testing process begins. Testing should not start until everything required for testing is ready.

Some common entry criteria include:

• Requirements or specifications are available.

• Test cases are written and reviewed.

• The application build is received from developers.

• The testing environment is set up properly.

Example:
Before testing a login page, the developer must first create the login feature and provide the build to the tester. Only then can the tester start testing it.

Exit Criteria

Exit Criteria are the conditions that must be satisfied before the testing process is completed. It helps testers decide whether the software is ready to be delivered to users.

Some common exit criteria include:

• All test cases are executed.

• Important or critical bugs are fixed.

• The remaining minor bugs are acceptable.

• Test reports are prepared.

Example:
If all the features of an e-commerce website are tested and there are no major defects left, the testing team can stop testing and approve the software for release.

• Entry Criteria tells us when testing should start.

• Exit Criteria tells us when testing should stop.

Both are important because they help ensure that the testing process is systematic, complete, and reliable.