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Definition of Done (DoD)

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The Definition of Done (DoD) is a shared understanding within the Scrum Team on the technical and quality aspects that need to be met for a product to be considered 'done'. It plays a crucial role in managing the increment of potentially shippable functionalities that constitute a Sprint. The DoD assists teams in establishing the conditions for user stories and ensuring the development matches expected criteria, thus promoting transparency, and reducing rework and technical debt.

Guide to Definition of Done (DoD) in Scrum Ceremonies

The Definition of Done (DoD) is an integral component within the Scrum methodology. This concept primarily details all the specific tasks and activities that must be completed before a deliverable can be considered 'done' or ready for delivery.

The DoD is important because it sets clear expectations and helps to avoid miscommunication within the team. It acts as an agreement that enables team members to assess when a task is complete, and promotes shared understanding & transparency for both internal team and stakeholders.

How it works: The DoD is made as part of an iteration planning meeting. The team discusses and agrees on the specific tasks that should be included in the DoD. It often involves steps such as code reviews, integration tests, and acceptance tests, among other tasks.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Definition of Done (DoD)
1. Understand the concept: Clear understanding of the DoD concept is crucial. Make sure to explain what it is, why it is important, and how it works.
2. Use examples: Using actual examples can help to illustrate the importance and operation of DoD.
3. Be specific: Try to be as specific as possible about the steps included in the DoD of a particular project.
4. Highlight its benefits: Pointing out how a well-defined DoD aids effective organisational communication and boosts productivity can also be beneficial.

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Question 1

During a sprint the team notices a new member is completing tasks which he believes fulfills the criteria of 'done', however, his understanding is not aligned with the team's definition of done (DoD). What would be the best approach to handle this?

Correct Answer: Organize a team meeting to realign on the Definition of Done and ensure everyone's understanding is consistent.

The best way to address a misunderstanding of the Definition of Done (DoD) is to ensure the entire team has a unified understanding. This can be accomplished through a group discussion or meeting focused on the DoD. Assigning a mentor, adjusting the sprint backlog, or setting up a new daily review process might help in specific contexts but do not directly solve the problem of alignment on the DoD. These approaches could potentially isolate the new member or add unnecessary processes to the team's workflow. Realigning on the DoD as a team ensures everyone is on the same page and supports the Scrum values of commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect.

Question 2

In a middle of a Sprint, the Product Owner requests to alter the DoD to incorporate client feedback. How should the Scrum Team respond?

Correct Answer: Consider the alterations for future Sprints as changing DoD mid-sprint can lead to scope creep.

In Scrum, changing the Definition of Done (DoD) in the middle of a sprint has the potential to introduce scope creep and may cause the team to lose focus from their Sprint commitment. Hence, it is not preferable to change the DoD once the Sprint has started. The alterations suggested by the Product Owner should be considered for future Sprints when backlog refinement or Sprint Planning occurs. As a result, the correct answer is 'Consider the alterations for future Sprints as changing DoD mid-sprint can lead to scope creep.' On the other hand, 'Directly reject the Product Owner's request.' is a poor approach in Scrum, which values collaboration and communication. 'Accept and implement the changes immediately.' breaks the rules of Scrum, as it can divert the focus and productivity of the team. 'Compromise on existing items in the DoD to accommodate the new request.' is also incorrect, as it can affect the work the team had committed to finish in the sprint.

Question 3

During a sprint, one team member identifies a small but essential measure that is not included in the existing DoD. However, including it will mean that the sprint goal might not be met. What would be the correct course of action?

Correct Answer: Feature should be marked as not 'Done' and brought up for discussion during the Sprint Retrospective, with considerations for adapting the DoD in future sprint planning.

Choosing the correct action when a team member identifies a necessary addition to the Definition of Done (DoD) involves considering the impact on the current sprint's goal and the team's process overall. The ideal approach respects the integrity of the Scrum framework's roles, artifacts, and events. Marking the feature as not 'Done' while postponing the discussion about changing the DoD to the Sprint Retrospective ensures the team learns from the incident and improves without compromising the current sprint's commitments. Immediate adjustments, consultations, or risk assessments might seem proactive but could bypass the collaborative, team-based decision-making process that Scrum promotes.

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