In a logistics plan, exit criteria are defined as which?

• A. Steps to begin the next procurement cycle
• B. Guidelines for evaluating supplier performance
• C. Conditions that must be met before moving to the next phase or releasing a portion of operations, ensuring readiness and compliance
• D. A process for disposing of obsolete equipment

Answer: (C)

Exit criteria are the specific, measurable conditions that must be met to move from one stage of a logistics plan to the next or to release a portion of operations. They act as go/no-go gates that ensure readiness, quality, compliance, and risk controls are in place before advancing. In practice, this means objective evidence such as completed tasks, validated performance metrics, stakeholder sign-offs, system readiness (like ERP or WMS integration), and assurance of safety and regulatory compliance. These criteria prevent skipping steps and help manage risk by confirming a phase is truly complete before proceeding. This focus is different from items that describe starting a procurement cycle, evaluating supplier performance, or disposing of obsolete equipment, which aren’t about gating progression or ensuring readiness to move forward.