exit criteria

Exit criteria are specific events and accomplishments that must be achieved before a program can proceed further in the current acquisition phase or the next acquisition phase covered by the criteria. Exit criteria are selected to track progress in important technical, schedule, or management risk areas. They serve as gates to demonstrate the program is on track to achieve its final program goals and should be allowed to continue additional activities within an acquisition phase or for continuation into the next acquisition phase. Exit criteria are some level of demonstrated performance outcome (e.g., engine thrust), the accomplishment of some process at some level of efficiency (e.g., manufacturing yield), or successful accomplishment of some event (e.g., first flight), or some other criterion (e.g., inclusion of a particular clause in a follow-on contract) that indicates the program is progressing satisfactorily. Exit criteria are documented in the Acquisition Decision Memorandum.