Exitkriterier

Exitkriterier, or exit criteria, are predefined conditions that determine when a project, study, trial, or phase should end or when a decision point should be concluded. They provide objective benchmarks for stopping, continuing, or escalating activities and help manage risk, resource use, and governance.

Typical exit criteria include quantitative thresholds, such as budget limits, time horizons, performance targets, or quality levels, as well as qualitative judgments related to safety, compliance, or strategic fit. They are often established in advance and reviewed at milestone moments to avoid ad hoc decisions. Clear documentation of who approves an exit and how data are to be collected is common practice.

Applications of exit criteria vary by domain. In clinical trials, stopping rules and futility analyses function as exit criteria to protect participants and conserve resources. In project management, go/no-go gates rely on exit criteria to decide whether to proceed to the next phase. In software testing and product development, testing exit criteria specify when testing is complete, all critical defects are resolved, and acceptance criteria are met. Exit criteria may also govern vendor contracts, regulatory submissions, or disaster recovery plans.

Good practice emphasizes measurability, realism, and alignment with goals. Exit criteria should be reviewed periodically and updated if project scope, risks, or external conditions change. Misalignment or overly rigid criteria can lead to premature termination or endless continuation; balanced criteria support timely, evidence-based decisions.