The Definition of Done (DoD) is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. It serves as a shared understanding among the Scrum Team of what it means for work to be complete and releasable. In Professional Scrum, the Definition of …The Definition of Done (DoD) is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. It serves as a shared understanding among the Scrum Team of what it means for work to be complete and releasable. In Professional Scrum, the Definition of Done is essential for creating transparency and ensuring that everyone has the same expectations about quality and completeness. When a Product Backlog item meets the Definition of Done, an Increment is born. The Definition of Done creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what work was completed as part of the Increment. If a Product Backlog item does not meet the Definition of Done, it cannot be released or even presented at the Sprint Review. Instead, it returns to the Product Backlog for future consideration. The Definition of Done typically includes criteria such as code being reviewed, tests passing, documentation being updated, and meeting coding standards. It may also include integration requirements, performance benchmarks, and compliance with organizational standards. The Scrum Team is responsible for creating and adhering to the Definition of Done. If the organization has standards that all products must follow, the Definition of Done must include those as a minimum. Development Teams may choose to apply more stringent criteria for quality. As Scrum Teams mature, they often strengthen their Definition of Done to include more rigorous quality criteria. This evolution leads to higher quality Increments and more predictable delivery. For Product Owners, understanding the Definition of Done is crucial because it affects what can be considered truly finished and potentially releasable. It helps in managing stakeholder expectations and ensures that technical debt does not accumulate over time. The Definition of Done is a commitment for the Increment that promotes quality and consistency across all work delivered by the Scrum Team.
Definition of Done: Complete Guide for PSPO-I Exam
What is the Definition of Done?
The Definition of Done (DoD) is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. It creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what work was completed as part of the Increment.
Why is the Definition of Done Important?
The Definition of Done serves several critical purposes in Scrum:
1. Creates Transparency: Everyone on the Scrum Team and stakeholders understands what 'done' means, eliminating ambiguity about the state of work.
2. Ensures Quality: It establishes a minimum quality standard that all work must meet before being considered complete.
3. Enables Accurate Forecasting: When the team has a clear DoD, they can better estimate how much work they can complete in a Sprint.
4. Reduces Technical Debt: A strong DoD prevents incomplete work from accumulating and creating future problems.
5. Supports Releasability: Each Increment that meets the DoD should be potentially releasable.
How the Definition of Done Works
The Definition of Done applies to every Product Backlog item that moves into an Increment. Key operational aspects include:
• The Developers are accountable for creating a Definition of Done • If the organization has a standard DoD, all Scrum Teams must follow it as a minimum • If no organizational standard exists, the Scrum Team must create one appropriate for the product • The DoD can become more stringent over time as the team matures • A Product Backlog item that does not meet the Definition of Done cannot be released or presented at Sprint Review • Work not meeting the DoD returns to the Product Backlog for future consideration
Examples of Definition of Done Elements
• Code reviewed by peers • Unit tests written and passing • Integration tests passing • Documentation updated • Acceptance criteria met • Performance benchmarks achieved • Security requirements verified • Deployed to staging environment
Product Owner's Role with Definition of Done
As a Product Owner, you should:
• Understand the DoD and its implications for release planning • Respect that Developers own the DoD creation • Use the DoD to make informed decisions about releasing Increments • Understand that the DoD affects velocity and forecasting • Never pressure the team to compromise the DoD
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Definition of Done
Tip 1: Remember Ownership The Developers are accountable for creating and adhering to the Definition of Done. The Product Owner does not define it, but must understand and respect it.
Tip 2: Organizational Standards Take Precedence If the organization has a DoD standard, all teams must follow it as a minimum. Teams can add more stringent criteria but cannot have a weaker DoD.
Tip 3: DoD Applies to Increments The DoD is about the Increment, not individual tasks. Every Product Backlog item contributing to the Increment must meet the DoD.
Tip 4: Incomplete Work Returns to Backlog If work does not meet the DoD, it is not included in the Increment and returns to the Product Backlog. It is not automatically included in the next Sprint.
Tip 5: DoD Supports Transparency Questions about transparency and inspection often relate to the DoD. A clear DoD enables meaningful Sprint Reviews.
Tip 6: Watch for Compromises Exam scenarios may present pressure to release incomplete work. The correct answer always maintains the integrity of the DoD.
Tip 7: Evolution Over Time The DoD should become more rigorous as the team improves. Look for answers that support continuous improvement of quality standards.
Tip 8: Distinguish from Acceptance Criteria The DoD applies to all Product Backlog items, while acceptance criteria are specific to individual items. Both must be satisfied for work to be complete.