Definition of Done (DoD)

5 minutes 5 Questions

The Definition of Done (DoD) is a clear and concise list of requirements that a software increment must meet to be considered 'done'. It is a concept that plays a crucial role in managing Scrum teams as it outlines the set of deliverables needed to ensure completeness and quality of work. The DoD s…

Guide to Understanding and Answering Questions on Definition of Done (DoD)

The Definition of Done (DoD) is a list of criteria that must be met before a product increment is considered 'done'.

Why it is important: In Scrum, DoD is essential as it clearly defines what it means for work to be complete. This creates a shared understanding among the Scrum Team, thereby reducing ambiguity and enhancing productivity. The DoD ensures that every piece of work meets quality standards, hence improving the overall quality of the product.

What it is: The Definition of Done (DoD) is an agreed upon set of items that must be completed before a project or user story can be considered 'done'. It is unique to each Scrum team and can evolve over time.

How it works: When a Product Backlog item or an Increment is described as "Done", everyone must understand what "Done" means. So, DoD is used.

How to answer questions regarding DoD in an exam: Understand the concept and application of DoD deeply. Use precise language and refer to the Scrum Guide where necessary for definitions. Present practical examples to demonstrate your understanding of DoD.

Exam Tips:
1. Ensure you understand the importance of DoD in Scrum.
2. Pay attention to how DoD is defined and applied in practical scenarios.
3. In answer explanation, ensure clarity in understanding what is considered 'Done' in Scrum.
4. Study the consequence of not having a DoD.
5. Reference the Scrum Guide appropriately when unsure.

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PSM I - Definition of Done (DoD) Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Definition of Done (DoD)

Question 1

At the end of a sprint, the team realizes they've been overlooking a step in their Definition of Done (DoD). However, they worry that adding it now will delay the delivery date. What should be the most appropriate action by the Scrum Master?

The Scrum Master should help the team prioritize work in the Sprint Backlog, possibly removing less critical items to accommodate the new step without affecting the delivery date. The Scrum Master should advise the team to incorporate the overlooked step into their Definition of Done, understanding the impact this may have on the delivery date and communicating it transparently with the Product Owner. The Scrum Master should encourage the team to continue without the step for now and revisit the Definition of Done for future Sprints to determine if the step should be permanently added. The Scrum Master arranges an urgent meeting with stakeholders to explain the situation, seeking additional resources or an extension of the Sprint to include the overlooked step without compromising the delivery schedule.

Correct Answer: The Scrum Master should advise the team to incorporate the overlooked step into their Definition of Done, understanding the impact this may have on the delivery date and communicating it transparently with the Product Owner.

The Scrum Master's role is to ensure that the Scrum Framework is understood and enacted. This involves upholding the Scrum values and practices, such as the Definition of Done. It's important the DoD reflects the team's understanding of what it means to complete work. If a step was overlooked, it's crucial to address this to maintain the integrity of the work delivered. The correct course of action is to incorporate the overlooked step, ensuring transparency with the Product Owner regarding its impact. The wrong answers, while plausible sounding, either risk the quality (by skipping the step), misrepresent the role of the Scrum Master (by reallocating work or seeking additional resources directly), or potentially compromise the project timeline without addressing the root cause of the oversight.

Question 2

The latest product increment delivered by your Scrum team didn't meet the customer's expectations, despite meeting all the criteria in the Definition of Done (DoD). It's clear that the DoD needs refinement. What should be the Scrum teams immediate action?

The Scrum team should increase the frequency of their reviews with stakeholders to ensure early detection of misalignments without changing the DoD. The Scrum team should conduct a comprehensive audit of all previous product increments against the current DoD and stakeholder feedback to identify specific areas of misalignment, which may lead to a more complex and time-consuming refinement process of the DoD. The Scrum team should delegate the responsibility of refining the DoD to the Product Owner, as they are the primary link to the stakeholders and their needs. The Scrum team should collaboratively refine the DoD to better match stakeholder expectations and improve product quality.

Correct Answer: The Scrum team should collaboratively refine the DoD to better match stakeholder expectations and improve product quality.

The correct answer focuses on the necessity of the Scrum team collaboratively working on refining the Definition of Done (DoD) to ensure it encapsulates both the quality standards and the stakeholder expectations. This action encourages team alignment and continuous improvement. The wrong answers present viable but ultimately misleading strategies such as not adjusting the DoD at all, improperly assigning responsibility, or opting for a more complex solution that might not directly address the root cause of the issue.

Question 3

A Sprint just ended and the team realized certain tasks were not fully complete according to the definition of done (DoD). The omitted tasks had to do with fully updating the accompanying documentation but product functionality was unaffected. What should be their action to prevent this in the future?

Adjust the Definition of Done to exclude documentation so the team can focus solely on product functionality. In the next Sprint Planning, allocate specific time for documentation tasks and assign them to the most available team member. Integrate a review of the Definition of Done in the Sprint Retrospective to ensure understanding and adherence. During the Daily Scrum, team members should report progress on documentation to encourage transparency and accountability for incomplete work.

Correct Answer: Integrate a review of the Definition of Done in the Sprint Retrospective to ensure understanding and adherence.

The correct action is to ensure the team understands and adheres to the Definition of Done (DoD) as tasks being left incomplete violates Scrum values and compromises the product's integrity over time. Adjusting the DoD to lower standards, allocating tasks based on availability, or focusing daily updates solely on documentation are not effective long-term solutions as they do not address the root cause of why tasks were incomplete nor ensure team-wide responsibility.

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