The “Definition of Done” (DoD) in Scrum refers to the shared understanding within the Scrum Team about when a Product Backlog Item (PBI) is considered done. Having a clear and universally accepted DoD enhances transparency and focus, providing a concrete basis against which progress can be measured.
Effective DoD Elements
Here, we will discuss five elements that constitute an effective DoD, aligning with the philosophies and principles of Scrum.
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Story Acceptance Criteria are Met: The Acceptance Criteria for each User Story should be clearly defined in the DoD and must be complied with. The Acceptance Criteria stipulates the expected outcomes that, when delivered upon, indicate that the story is complete.
For instance, an Acceptance Criterion for a User Story about an eCommerce website’s ‘add to cart’ feature could be: “A user shall be able to add products to the cart from a product details page, and the number of items in the cart should increment accordingly.” A story is only ‘Done’ when all its acceptance criteria are met.
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Code Review and Quality Assurance Testing: For every increment of the product, the code should be reviewed and undergo rigorous Quality Assurance (QA) testing according to the DoD. If there exists any bug or functionality issues, the associated user stories should not be considered ‘Done.’
For example, using code review tools like Crucible or SonarQube, and QA testing tools like Selenium or TestRail, can ensure high-quality, error-free code.
- Cross-Functional Dependencies are Resolved: The deliverable in an iteration should be potentially shippable, meaning there shouldn’t be any tantalizing dependencies on other teams/functions for the PBI to be considered ‘Done’.
- Documentation Complete: Although Agile manifesto values working software over comprehensive documentation, it doesn’t mean documentation is ignored altogether. Updates to system documentation, user manuals, or technical design documents should be completed as part of the DoD for a PBI.
- Stakeholder Approval: After an increment is prepared and delivered, it should be approved by the relevant stakeholders to confirm that it meets the requirements and is ready for shipment. These stakeholders include anyone that has the authority to accept or reject the increment, such as a Product Owner in a Scrum Team.
Using these elements in your Definition of Done means each user story delivered lives up to the expected standards of functionality, code quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. This ensures transparency and focus in product development processes, with progress measured against a clear, common standard.
Summary Table of the Elements
| Element | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Story Acceptance Criteria Met | All defined outcomes for a User Story are achieved | “A user is able to add products to the cart on an eCommerce website.” |
| Code Review and Quality Assurance Testing | Code is reviewed and tested for quality and functionality | Use tools like Crucible, SonarQube, Selenium or TestRail |
| Cross-Functional Dependencies Resolved | The deliverable doesn’t rely on other teams or functions | The product increment should be shippable as it is, without depending on any unresolved task |
| Documentation Complete | All relevant documentation is updated with the latest changes | Update system documentation, user manual, or technical design document |
| Stakeholder Approval | The increment is approved by relevant stakeholders | Product Owner’s approval of a delivered product increment |
These elements combined shall guarantee an increment that provides adequate information, boosting transparency and focus, against which progress can be accurately measured, aiding any Scrum enthusiast en route to becoming a Certified Scrum Developer (CSD).
Practice Test
True or False: One of the elements of a definition of done is that the increment is potentially releasable.
A. True
B. False
Correct answer: True
Explanation: One of the main purposes of a Definition of Done is to ensure that any increment produced meets the necessary quality standards for potentially releasing it on a live system.
In a scrum team, who is responsible for defining the Definition of Done?
A. Product Owner
B. Scrum Master
C. Development Team
D. Stakeholders
Correct answer: C. Development Team
Explanation: The Development team is responsible for a Definition of Done as they understand the technical requirements necessary to ensure that the product is in a releasable state.
True or False: The Definition of Done can differ from one Scrum team to another.
A. True
B. False
Correct answer: True
Explanation: The Definition of Done can vary depending on the team’s working agreement, the nature of the project, the organization’s standards and practices, and other factors.
In the context of a Definition of Done, what does “increment” refer to?
A. The final product
B. A small piece of work that has been completed
C. The amount of work a team can complete in one day
D. The work planned for the next sprint
Correct answer: B. A small piece of work that has been completed
Explanation: An increment refers to a small piece of work that has been completed within a sprint that adds to the overall function or utility of the product.
True or False: Defining a Definition of Done is not essential in the software development process.
A. True
B. False
Correct answer: False
Explanation: A Definition of Done is crucial as it establishes the team’s shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete.
Which of the following is not an element of a Definition of Done?
A. Code is written
B. Code is reviewed
C. Product is launched
D. Stakeholder sign-off
Correct answer: C. Product is launched
Explanation: Launching the product is not part of the Definition of Done. It’s about ensuring the increment is potentially releasable.
True or False: The Definition of Done should enhance transparency.
A. True
B. False
Correct answer: True
Explanation: A well-crafted Definition of Done enhances transparency by clearly outlining what needs to be achieved in each increment.
Which of the following is an element of a Definition of Done that helps in measuring progress?
A. Test coverage is completed
B. Documentation is updated
C. Both A and B
Correct answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Test coverage and documentation update are part of a Definition of Done and they help to measure the progress effectively.
True or False: Once set, the Definition of Done should never be changed.
A. True
B. False
Correct answer: False
Explanation: As a team learns and matures, its Definition of Done may also evolve and improve.
The Definition of Done helps in:
A. Enhancing transparency
B. Measuring progress
C. Ensuring the increment is potentially releasable
D. All of the above
Correct answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: A Definition of Done helps in enhancing transparency, measuring progress, and ensuring the increment is potentially releasable.
Interview Questions
What are some elements of a Definition of Done that help enhance transparency and focus in Scrum?
Answer: Some elements include ensuring that all code is checked in version control, all automated tests pass successfully, the code is reviewed by peers, the functionality meets acceptance criteria, and the user documentation is updated.
How does having a well-defined Definition of Done aid in measuring progress in Scrum projects?
Answer: A clear Definition of Done provides a baseline for determining when a user story is complete, enabling the team to track progress accurately based on the completion of these criteria.
Why is it important for a Definition of Done to encompass various aspects such as code quality, testing, and documentation?
Answer: Including these aspects ensures that the delivered increment is not only functional but also maintainable, reliable, and well-documented, which contributes to the overall quality of the product.
How does a robust Definition of Done contribute to stakeholder communication and understanding of progress?
Answer: It allows stakeholders to have a clear understanding of what “done” means for each user story, enabling them to assess progress accurately and make informed decisions based on the completeness of the product increment.
In what ways does a Definition of Done ensure that the delivered increment meets the team’s quality standards consistently?
Answer: By establishing clear criteria for what constitutes completion, the team can maintain and uphold their quality standards consistently across all user stories, leading to a more reliable product increment.
How can a Definition of Done help in preventing incomplete or low-quality work being considered as “done” within a sprint?
Answer: It sets the standard for completeness, ensuring that work is not considered done until all criteria are met, thereby avoiding the premature acceptance of unfinished or subpar work.
What role does the Definition of Done play in facilitating continuous improvement within a Scrum team?
Answer: It serves as a tool for reflecting on the team’s practices and identifying areas for improvement, as deviations or shortcomings in meeting the criteria can highlight potential areas for growth.
How does a comprehensive Definition of Done assist in aligning the team’s understanding of what constitutes a shippable product increment?
Answer: It provides a shared understanding among team members of the level of completeness and quality required for each user story to be considered “done” and ready for release.
What are the consequences of not adhering to a well-defined Definition of Done in Scrum projects?
Answer: Not following the definition can lead to inconsistencies in the quality and completeness of delivered work, causing delays, rework, and a lack of confidence in the product increment.
How can a Definition of Done be adjusted or refined over time to better suit the needs of the team and the project?
Answer: The team can periodically review and update the Definition of Done based on feedback, lessons learned, and evolving project requirements to ensure it remains relevant and effective in guiding the team towards delivering high-quality increments.
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