Entry Criteria
Entry Criteria, or the "Definition of Ready", refers to the conditions that must be met before testing can begin for a particular feature or release. These conditions may include requirements documentation being completed, code being developed and integrated, the test environment being set up, and test data being available. The purpose of entry criteria is to ensure that the testing process is well-prepared and that the testing team has everything they need to start their work.
Exit Criteria
Exit Criteria, or the "Definition of Done", refers to the conditions that must be met before testing can be considered complete for a particular feature or release. These conditions may include all test cases being executed and passed, all defects being resolved or addressed, and all documentation is completed. The purpose of exit criteria is to ensure that the testing process is thorough and that all necessary testing has been conducted before the software is released to the customer or end-user.
Example Entry Criteria and Exit Criteria (Definition of Ready and Definition of Done) explain using a Student Management system implementation story.
Let's consider an example of a Student Management System (SMS) that needs to be developed and tested before it can be released to the school.
Here are some possible Entry Criteria and Exit Criteria that could be used for this project:
Entry Criteria (Definition of Ready):
Requirements documentation for the SMS is completed and approved by stakeholders.
Development of the SMS has begun, and the code has been integrated into the testing environment.
The test environment is set up with all necessary hardware and software.
Test data, including student and teacher data, is available and accurately reflects the data expected in the live environment.
Once these entry criteria are met, the testing team can begin their work. They will use various testing techniques, such as functional testing, integration testing, and performance testing, to ensure that the SMS meets the requirements and performs as expected.
Exit Criteria (Definition of Done):
All test cases are executed and passed, including functional, integration, and performance tests.
All defects found during testing are resolved, and retesting is conducted to verify the faults are fixed.
All necessary documentation, such as test reports and user manuals, is completed and approved by stakeholders.
The SMS is integrated into the live environment and performs as expected without significant issues or problems.
Once these exit criteria are met, the SMS can be considered ready for release to the school. The testing team can recommend to stakeholders that the SMS is ready for release based on the testing results and the exit criteria that meet.
By using clear Entry Criteria and Exit Criteria, the testing team can ensure that they are prepared for testing and have everything they need to succeed. They can also ensure that the SMS is thoroughly tested and meets the school's needs and requirements. This helps to increase the quality of the SMS, reduce the risk of defects, and ensure that the SMS meets the needs of the school and its stakeholders.
Conclusion
Both Entry and Exit Criteria are important to ensure the testing process is well-planned and executed. By defining clear criteria for when testing can begin and when it is complete, the testing team can ensure that they are testing the right things at the right time and with the right rigour. This helps to increase the quality of the software, reduce the risk of defects, and ensure that the software meets the customer or end-user.