Ready, Set, Done: Understanding Exit Criteria in Software Testing

Kenny Rogers once famously sang, “You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away”. In the world of Quality Assurance, knowing when to stop testing can be as big of a challenge as unclear requirements or last-minute code changes.

That’s why having exit criteria in software testing is crucial. Exit criteria are the conditions which must be met in order to finish testing and start delivering. Without them, there is no clear endpoint and testing can become never-ending, resulting in excessive time, resource consumption, and project delays. Setting these benchmarks can prevent overtesting.

Why is overtesting problematic?

Overtesting software won’t guarantee a flawless product. In fact, it can cause the opposite effect. When QA teams test excessively, they can lose focus as they try to reach software perfection that is simply unattainable.

All bugs are not created equal. Some are minor issues, such as bugs that slow down processing time by a few seconds or cause slight variations in colors or fonts, but these largely go unnoticed by users. Repeatedly testing these areas is not worth the time and effort.?

When new features are introduced or requirements evolve, the finish line shifts again. By setting clear boundaries, exit criteria stop you from endlessly chasing harmless bugs that might not significantly affect the end product. Setting intelligent exit criteria helps teams prioritize the most important elements of the software and increase overall testing efficiency.

The 3 considerations for defining exit criteria

So what are the main areas of testing QA managers should focus on when setting exit criteria?

Time Constraints

Time is of the essence. Tight deadlines and external pressures mean the clock is constantly ticking. There may be a strong push to release the software internally to stakeholders and externally to end-users. Balance is key. Ensuring that your exit criteria are both logical and achievable can help strike a careful balance between extensive testing and fast delivery.

Requirements?

An effective testing strategy aims to verify that the software meets the specified requirements. If you have performed comprehensive testing that covered all of these elements, then it’s probably a good idea to stop testing. To ensure that, you should also measure test coverage.

Test Coverage

Comprehensive coverage ensures that all functional and non-functional aspects of the software have been tested. If you have confidence that your testing process includes all of these areas, then continuing to test them is unnecessary.

*Tip: automation testing may be a great way to accelerate your testing efforts. It allows you to complete complex testing activities in a shorter time than manual testing and deliver reliable results.

A centralized hub for test management

A centralized test management platform can help you better monitor your requirements and test case execution progress, as each QA aspect is managed under one dedicated, centralized hub.

Integrations with testing tools your team may already be using - combined with real-time reporting and customizable dashboards - results in a holistic approach. This allows key stakeholders to make data-driven decisions and optimize their entire testing process.