Definition of Done

5 minutes 5 Questions

The Definition of Done is an important concept that defines what it means for work to be completed. It's a shared understanding of the team regarding the quality of work that must be achieved in the development of a product increment. It acts as a checklist which ensures transparency and quality co…

Guide to Understanding the Definition of Done in Scrum

Definition of Done (DoD) is a crucial concept in Scrum and project management. It serves as a complete checklist that defines when a task, user story, or project increment is completed.

Importance: It is essential for ensuring transparency, setting standards for the quality of work, and confirming when a task can be depicted as 'done', exempting it from future sprints. DoD guarantees that all the inherent tasks necessary for the completion of a function are performed, which can enhance the product's overall quality.

Functionality: DoD works as a shared understanding within the Scrum Team about the standards required for work to be finalized. The list of criteria needs to be met before a Product Backlog Item (PBI) can be marked as done.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Definition of Done
1. Understand how DoD brings transparency and sets quality standards.
2. Learn why it is critical to decide and agree on DoD before starting any work in Scrum.
3. Make sure to remember that while the acceptance criteria can be different for each user story, the Definition of Done applies universally across all user stories.
4. Use examples to describe how incomplete work is identified when a checklist is not fully met.

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PSM I - Definition of Done Example Questions

Test your knowledge of Definition of Done

Question 1

A new team member has recently joined the Scrum team. He is confused about the definition of ‘Done’. What is the best way to explain it to him?

A collective agreement within the team that defines the criteria for when a product increment is considered complete, ensuring consistency and quality. An individual’s interpretation of when they believe their work on a task is finished, based on their own standards and understanding. A detailed checklist that is created at the start of the project and must be strictly followed for every task to ensure it is considered done. An evolving document that outlines technical requirements and quality standards expected from every project deliverable, agreed upon by the entire Scrum Team and stakeholders, which can be reviewed and adapted at the end of each Sprint for continuous improvement.

Correct Answer: A collective agreement within the team that defines the criteria for when a product increment is considered complete, ensuring consistency and quality.

The definition of 'Done' is a core concept in Scrum that ensures transparency and a shared understanding of what it means for a piece of work to be complete, which helps maintain quality and consistency across the team's deliverables. It is not solely based on individual perspectives (wrong_answer_1), it is not a static checklist that doesn’t allow for adaptation (wrong_answer_2), and while wrong_answer_3 introduces elements of truth regarding adaptation and agreement, it misrepresents the simplicity and shared understanding inherent in the real definition of 'Done'.

Question 2

The Product Owner wants to change the definition of ‘Done’ to make it easier to achieve. What should be your response?

Agree with the Product Owner as they have the final say. Explain that the definition of 'Done' ensures quality and consistency, and the team should agree upon any changes. Talk with the Scrum Master privately to change the definition of 'Done'. Ignore the Product Owner’s request and follow the current definition of 'Done'.

Correct Answer: Explain that the definition of 'Done' ensures quality and consistency, and the team should agree upon any changes.

The correct answer is: 'Explain that the definition of 'Done' ensures quality and consistency, and the team should agree upon any changes.' The Scrum Guide clearly states that the definition of 'Done' is a tool to ensure that quality doesn't decrease over time and it is shared and must be agreed upon by the whole team, not just dictated by the Product Owner. This maintains consistency, reliability, and quality in deliveries. The other options are incorrect because: (1) The Product Owner does not have the final say over the definition of 'Done', it's a team consensus. (2) Ignoring the Product Owner’s request is not a correct or healthy Agile behaviour. (3) Privately talking with the Scrum Master to change the definition of 'Done' is also wrong, as it contradicts the idea of transparency and equal voices within the Agile framework.

Question 3

As a professional Scrum Master of a mature Scrum team, the team has been missing their objective in the previous two Sprints due to unmet Definition Of Done (DoD). What should be the next step in this situation?

Implement a stricter performance monitoring system to track individual contributions to meeting the Definition Of Done, focusing on accountability. Encourage the team to inspect and adapt their work processes, possibly revisiting and refining their Definition Of Done in a collaborative manner. Instruct the development team to increase their daily work hours until the Definition Of Done is consistently met in subsequent Sprints. Organize a series of extensive training sessions on Scrum practices, aiming to indirectly address the issue by improving overall Scrum knowledge.

Correct Answer: Encourage the team to inspect and adapt their work processes, possibly revisiting and refining their Definition Of Done in a collaborative manner.

The correct approach aligns with the Scrum values of courage, openness, and respect, fostering a collaborative environment where the team can address challenges together. Organizing extensive training sessions, while beneficial for overall knowledge, does not directly address the problem at hand. Increasing work hours can lead to burnout and is not a sustainable solution. Implementing a stricter performance monitoring system could create a culture of fear and reduce team morale, moving away from the principles of Scrum.

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