The standards are determined at the start of the project and serve as the collective agreement of what deems a task complete. Despite its importance, many Scrum teams struggle to precisely define and iteratively evolve a DoD. This post aims to provide guidance on how teams can practice formulating and iteratively evolve a DoD. Also, it would attempt to identify at least three reasons why and how the DoD should evolve.
Understanding the Definition of Done (DoD)
The DoD acts as a checklist for Scrum teams, detailing what needs to be achieved on a task before it can be considered as “done.” The criteria set out by the DoD may range from code reviews, acceptance tests, and so forth.
However, it is not enough to just set up a DoD at the start of the project. It needs to evolve with the project and the team, to better suit the status quo and the lessons were learned. This iterative evolution assists in refining the quality of deliverables and reduces the risk of unmet expectations or low-quality deliveries.
Formulating a Definition of Done (DoD)
Formulating a DoD at the beginning of a Scrum project typically involves the whole team coming together to discuss, agree on, and document what standards need to be met before a task can be classified as completed.
Here are some points you might want to consider when formulating a DoD:
- It should be realistic and achievable, given the team’s capabilities and the resources available.
- It should be specific, clearly stating what needs to be done.
- It should be agreed upon and understood by all team members.
- It should help the team to deliver potentially releasable Increment of “Done” product at the end of each Sprint.
Reasons Why the Definition of Done (DoD) Should Evolve
Why should a team amend its DoD as the project progresses? Here are three reasons:
- Learning and Improvement: As the project progresses, the team will gain more insights, sharpen its skills, and improve its tools and processes. These changes may warrant an evolution of the Definition of Done to raise the bar for quality and efficiency.
- Change in Project Requirements or Goals: Over time, project requirements might change, and goals might be redefined. In such cases, the Definition of Done needs to be adjusted to align with these changes.
- Feedback from Stakeholders: Based on the feedback received from project stakeholders or end-users, changes might need to be made to the DoD. For example, specific tests might need to be added or some deliverable characteristics might need to be revised.
How to Iteratively Evolve a Definition of Done (DoD)
The process of evolving a Definition of Done should be intentional and systematic. It might help to schedule regular reassessments of the DoD, for instance, at the end of each Sprint, to reflect on what went well and what needs to be changed. The nature and scope of these changes will depend on the team’s learning and the overall project context.
For instance, suppose during a Sprint retrospective, the team identifies that they spend a significant amount of time debugging code. In that case, they might choose to update the DoD to incorporate a rule that no code can be marked as “done” unless it has undergone thorough debugging.
In conclusion, the process of formulating and iteratively evolving a Definition of Done is a significant part of creating an effective Scrum environment. It encourages continuous improvement, helps ensure quality, and supports transparency and clarity around project deliverables. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that this is a collaborative process and changes to the DoD should be made collectively and not unilaterally.
Practice Test
True/False: The Definition of Done (DoD) should never evolve once it is set.
1) True
2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: As a team learns and grows, their DoD must evolve along with them. This aligns with Agile principles of iterative refinement.
Which of the following are reasons the Definition of Done (DoD) should evolve? (Select all that apply)
1) The team is not meeting their sprint goals
2) The product is not meeting quality standards
3) The team has gained new skills
4) None of the above
Answer: a, b, c
Explanation: DoD should evolve to ensure that the team and the product continue to improve and meet their targets. New skills in the team can also expand the scope of DoD.
The Definition of Done (DoD) is determined by which of the following?
1) Product Owner
2) Development Team
3) Stakeholders
4) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Definition of Done is a shared understanding among the team members and stakeholders.
True/False: Definition of Done (DoD) can be adjusted mid-Sprint.
1) True
2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: The Definition of Done is set at the start of a Sprint and should not change during the Sprint; changes can be put into effect in the following Sprint.
True/False: The Definition of Done (DoD) is optional in Scrum.
1) True
2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: The Definition of Done is a core concept in Scrum, it offers transparency and a clear understanding of when something is complete.
True/False: There is a standard global Definition of Done (DoD) that all Scrum teams should follow.
1) True
2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: The Definition of Done is unique to each project and should be agreed upon by all roles involved in the project.
In what ways can the Definition of Done (DoD) evolve? (Select all that apply)
1) Increase in the team’s technical skills
2) A change in the project requirements
3) Realization that some tasks were overlooked in the initial DoD
4) None of the above
Answer: a, b, c
Explanation: The Definition of Done evolves with the team, with the project, and with a deeper understanding of what it takes to finish a task.
True/False: The Definition of Done (DoD) should be revisited at the Sprint Retrospective.
1) True
2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Sprint Retrospective provides an opportunity for the team to reflect on their DoD and make necessary modifications for the next Sprint.
Which Scrum event is most suitable for evolving the Definition of Done (DoD)?
1) Sprint Planning
2) Sprint Retrospective
3) Daily Scrum
4) Sprint Review
Answer: b) Sprint Retrospective
Explanation: The Sprint Retrospective provides an opportunity for the team to look back on their work, discuss challenges and reformulate the DoD as necessary.
True/False: The Definition of Done (DoD) is a contract between the Scrum Team and the stakeholders.
1) True
2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: The DoD ensures transparency and sets clear expectations for all parties involved in the project.
Interview Questions
What does DoD or Definition of Done (DoD) mean in Scrum?
The DoD or Definition of Done in Scrum refers to the clear agreement within the Scrum Team about the set of conditions that must be met before a product increment “Done”.
Why is it important to have a shared understanding of the definition of “Done”?
A shared understanding decreases the likelihood of misunderstandings or miscommunications within the Scrum Team. It ensures everyone is on the same page about when a task or project truly finished, thus improving productivity and workflows.
What is the purpose of evolving the Definition of Done over time?
The purpose of evolving the DoD over time is to improve the product quality and team processes. As the team better understands the project, adapts to changes, and learns from previous iterations, the DoD can be refined to more accurately reflect project requirements and team capabilities.
Name one reason why the Definition of Done (DoD) should evolve?
The DoD should evolve to incorporate new insights, requirements, or situations that arise throughout the course of the project. This ensures that the DoD remains relevant and accurately reflects actual project needs.
How often should the Definition of Done (DoD) be updated or reviewed?
The DoD should ideally be reviewed and updated each sprint to ensure it remains relevant to the current project needs and circumstances.
Who is responsible for updating and maintaining the Definition of Done (DoD)?
All members of the Scrum Team, including the product owner, development team, and scrum master are collectively responsible for maintaining and updating the DoD as they have a shared responsibility towards delivering a “Done” product increment.
How can the Definition of Done (DoD) affect product quality?
A well-defined and adhered to DoD ensures that each increment is of high quality as it clearly lays out what conditions need to be met. This includes aspects related to coding standards, testing, documentation, and the functionality of the increment, thereby impacting the overall product quality.
How can the Scrum Team ensure their Definition of Done is realistic?
The Scrum Team should make sure that the DoD only includes those criteria that can be achieved within one sprint. Regular retrospectives can provide the feedback necessary to adjust the DoD to be both realistic and achievable.
Why should the Definition of Done (DoD) be transparent and explicit?
Transparency in the DoD ensures that every member of the Scrum Team, as well as stakeholders, understand what is expected for an increment to be “Done”. Being explicit would remove any gaps for ambiguity or misinterpretation.
Can the Definition of Done (DoD) include aspects beyond code completion?
Yes, the DoD can, and should, include aspects beyond coding such as testing, documentation, reviews, integration, as well as compliance to design and architectural standards.
What can happen if the Definition of Done (DoD) is not adhered to?
If the DoD is not adhered to, the product quality may suffer and technical debt may accumulate. This can increase the risk of project failure and dissatisfaction among stakeholders.
Can the DoD be different for different Scrum Teams?
Yes, the DoD can certainly look different from one Scrum Team to another depending on the specific requirements of the project, the team’s working agreements and the organization’s policy or standards.
How can sprint retrospective meetings help in evolving the Definition of Done?
During sprint retrospectives, the Scrum Team discusses what worked well and what didn’t in the previous sprint. These insights can be used to refine the DoD for future sprints – updating quality standards, adding new criteria or removing unnecessary ones.
What is the role of the Scrum Master in maintaining the Definition of Done?
The Scrum Master helps the Scrum Team understand and adhere to the DoD as well as facilitate discussions for its evolution and improvement.
What can lead to the evolution of the Definition of Done?
Various factors like changes in project requirements, changes in team or working conditions, learnings from past sprints, responses to external factors and stakeholder feedback can lead to the evolution of the DoD.
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