Exit criteria are conditions that must be met before a program can proceed to the next phase and are typically what?

• A. Ambiguous and hypothetical
• B. Flexible and time-bound
• C. Cost-driven but non-measurable
• D. Measurable and demonstrable

Answer: (D)

Exit criteria define objective conditions that must be met before advancing to the next phase. They should be measurable and demonstrable so you can verify with concrete evidence that the phase is complete and the deliverables meet agreed standards. This clarity enables reliable go/no-go decisions, provides accountability, and reduces ambiguity about when it’s appropriate to proceed. Examples include passing user acceptance testing with predefined thresholds, completing required documentation, and achieving specified performance or quality targets. Other options imply ambiguity, flexibility, or non-measurable criteria, which would make it hard to confirm that the exit conditions are truly satisfied.