Definition of Done

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The Definition of Done (DoD) is a mutually agreed set of conditions that work must meet to be considered complete. It ensures transparency and quality by providing clear, shared understanding of what it takes to finish a task. In daily Scrum Practices, DoD is employed at every level of work completion, including individual backlog items and overall Sprint Goals. It serves as a checklist and reduces rework by making sure all necessary work is done before labeling any task complete.

Guide: Definition of Done (DoD) for PSM I Exam

Definition of Done (DoD) is a vital component in scrum practices, specifically in the daily scrum.

What's DoD? It is a clear and agreed upon list of requirements that a product backlog item must meet to be considered completed. In scrum, it's vital because it ensures that everyone on the team has a shared understanding of what it means for work to be completed.

Why it's Important? DoD promotes transparency and guarantees a shared understanding of when a task is done. More practicably, it reduces rework and prevents the accumulation of technical debt.

How it Works? For each item in the product backlog, the development team collaboratively decides what conditions must be satisfied for the item to be labeled as Done. It can vary between teams or organizations.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Definition of Done
1. Understand that the DoD is agreed upon by all team members and can vary from one team to another.
2. Be familiar with how DoD is used during sprint planning and review.
3. Know that DoD is used to assess when work is completed on a product backlog item.
4. Remember that improving the DoD is a responsibility shared by the entire Scrum team.
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PSM I - Definition of Done Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Definition of Done

Question 1

Your Scrum team is involved in developing a new web application. They are arguing whether the code should be peer reviewed before being considered done. How should you respond as a Scrum Master?

Correct Answer: Encourage the team to include peer reviews in the Definition of Done if it adds value to their process and product quality.

As a Scrum Master, facilitating the team's discussion on improving their work process is essential, but it's equally important to ensure that such discussions lead to actionable improvements that align with Scrum values. The correct answer emphasizes the value of peer reviews if they contribute positively to the team's work and product quality. The wrong answers involve either shifting the focus away from effective practices like peer reviews, recommending complete reliance on automation, which can't replace the insights from human review, or misguiding the team about managing their time outside the sprint, which can lead to misalignment with Scrum principles.

Question 2

Your Scrum team plans to incrementally build an outpatient registration portal. They decided not to conduct cross-browser testing, assuming all users would use a certain browser. How would you, as a Scrum Master, address this assumption in accordance with the Definition of Done?

Correct Answer: Encourage the team to reflect on the potential impact of not performing cross-browser testing on product value and user satisfaction, and suggest revisiting the Definition of Done to possibly include it.

The correct answer underscores the Scrum Master's role in facilitating the team's understanding of the implications of their decisions on the product and ensuring the Definition of Done reflects the team's commitment to quality and user satisfaction. The wrong answers, although related to common discussions in Agile and Scrum contexts, either misrepresent the Scrum Master's role, underestimate the importance of a comprehensive testing strategy (including cross-browser testing), or suggest inappropriate delegation or reliance on automation without considering the specific needs of the project.

Question 3

One member of your Scrum team has suggested improving the Definition of Done by requiring code documentation, but others are resistant, stating that it's unnecessary and time-consuming. As the Scrum Master, what is your best approach?

Correct Answer: Explain the benefits of code documentation to the team and discuss collectively to find a balanced and agreed-upon Definition of Done.

The role of a Scrum Master is to facilitate team discussions and help the team reach decisions that are best for the project and the team's productivity. In this scenario, the correct approach would be to 'Explain the benefits of code documentation to the team and discuss collectively to find a balanced and agreed-upon Definition of Done'. This approach facilitates a discussion where everyone's viewpoints are considered and it encourages team members to be open to change and improvement, while also making them feel part of the decision-making process. The answer 'Impose code documentation requirement without seeking the team's agreement' is not an appropriate course of action because it disregards the team's opinions and could lead to decreased morale and productivity. The response 'Accept the team's resistance and don't require code documentation' is also incorrect because it fails to address a potential improvement in their working procedure. Finally, the answer 'Suggest the person suggesting to handle the documentation for the entire team' is not a feasible solution because it overburdens one person and does not encourage team collaboration and shared responsibility.

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Other Daily Scrum Practices concepts

AdaptationCollaborationDaily Scrum MeetingDaily Scrum StructureFocus FactorImpediments HandlingScrum ArtifactsScrum ValuesSprint Backlog UpdatesSprint GoalTime-boxed duration
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