What should be included in the escalation path if acceptance criteria are not met?

• A. Include an escalation path that specifies who to contact and what actions to take if criteria are not met.
• B. No escalation.
• C. Ignore criteria.
• D. Re-check later.

Answer: (B)

When acceptance criteria are not met, the escalation path should clearly outline who to contact and what actions to take. This formalizes the response to deviations, ensuring the right people are alerted, the issue is addressed promptly, and there is a documented trail of how it will be resolved. It also sets expectations for timelines, responsibilities, and decision points, so corrective actions can be agreed upon and tracked.

Without an escalation path, issues can stall or slip through the cracks, making it harder to assign accountability or prevent recurrence. Simply re-checking later or ignoring the criteria neither resolves the current problem nor provides a structured way to prevent it from happening again. A well-defined escalation path typically includes who to reach at each level, the actions required (such as rework, hold, or additional testing), and the timeframes for response and resolution.