Defining Done

5 minutes 5 Questions

'Done' in Scrum is the team's shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete, to ensure transparency. This definition varies significantly between Scrum Teams, but must be consistent within one team to ensure productivity and quality. Defining 'Done' provides a checklist which verifies necessary aspects like code integration, testing, documentation, and user acceptance. It’s crucial in Scrum projects, as it marks the completion of a User Story or an Increment. The ScrumMaster ensures adherence to the definition of 'Done' and it helps the team avoid technical debt and project pitfalls related to misunderstanding and unsaid assumptions.

Guide on Defining Done in Scrum

Defining Done is an essential further step in Scrum, a popular framework within Agile methodology in place for managing project development.

Why it's Important:
Defining Done provides a clear understanding of when a task or product backlog item is considered complete. Without a definition of done, the team can face confusion and inconsistencies, resulting in poor product quality and possibly, waste of resources.

What it is:
Defining Done is a shared understanding among the Scrum team about what it means for work to be complete. It ensures everyone has the same expectations about the outlined work.

How it Works:
Once a team agrees on the criteria of when a task is done, then each member of the team must ensure they meet these criteria at the end of each sprint, before considering the task as done.

Exam Tips on Answering Questions on Defining Done:
Understanding the concept, significance, and how it works is crucial. For exam answers, be sure to:
1. Give a clear definition of 'Defining Done'.
2. Explain its importance in Scrum.
3. Discuss how it helps achieve consistency and high product quality.
4. Describe how it influences the work of Scrum teams and benefits the project.
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CSM - Defining Done Example Questions

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Question 1

A team member consistently overlooks documenting his code, reasoning that it's not mentioned in the Definition of Done. The issue is causing future debugging and enhancement problems. As a Scrum Master, how should you deal with this?

Correct Answer: Update the team's Definition of Done to include code documentation after gaining consensus through discussion.

The correct approach involves updating the team's Definition of Done to include code documentation, ensuring consensus through discussion. This means that all team members are aware of this requirement and agree to it, fostering a culture of shared responsibility. Directly instructing a team member to document their code or assigning a specific role for this purpose does not promote a team-based approach to Scrum values and can lead to silos. Suggesting the product owner to prioritize tasks indirectly related to documentation might not address the root cause and could lead to unnecessary complexity in the backlog. The goal is to incorporate code documentation into the team's routine practices in a manner that is agreed upon by all members.

Question 2

Halfway through a sprint, a tester identifies a critical bug in the developed functionality. However, the Definition of Done does not include handling of such bugs. How should the Scrum Master guide the team in this situation?

Correct Answer: Update the sprint backlog to include the bug fix and then analyze the Definition of Done to see if modifications are necessary for future sprints.

The correct approach involves adapting to the unforeseen challenge by including the bug fix in the current work (as it is critical) and then reflecting on the Definition of Done for potential improvements, thus maintaining the sprint's integrity and the product's quality. Option one delays necessary action, option two disrupts the sprint unnecessarily, and option three overcomplicates the response, taking valuable time away from achieving the Sprint Goal.

Question 3

During Sprint Planning, the team realizes that the proposed work might not fully align with the current Definition of Done. What action should the Scrum Master take?

Correct Answer: Encourage the team to discuss and agree on temporary adjustments to the Definition of Done for this specific Sprint, considering the unique challenges.

In this scenario, the Scrum Master should encourage the team to discuss and agree on temporary adjustments to the Definition of Done for this specific Sprint, considering the unique challenges. The Definition of Done is an important artifact that ensures a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete. However, it is not meant to be a rigid, inflexible set of rules. In situations where the proposed work might not fully align with the current Definition of Done, the team should have an open discussion to find a solution that allows them to proceed with the Sprint while maintaining transparency and quality. Temporarily adjusting the Definition of Done, with the team's agreement, is a pragmatic approach that enables the team to adapt to the specific challenges they face in the upcoming Sprint. The other options, such as proceeding without addressing the misalignment, strictly adhering to the Definition of Done at the cost of reducing scope, or postponing the Sprint, are less desirable as they may lead to reduced transparency, quality issues, or delays in delivering value.

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Other Adopting Scrum in Organizations concepts

Cross-Functional TeamsEmpirical Process ControlFacilitating Scrum EventsProduct Owner ServiceScrum AccountabilitiesScrum EventScrum Master Service to the OrganizationScrum SprintsScrum ValuesSprint Retrospective
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