Examples of a strong "Definition of Done" for agile teams

The Definition of Done (DoD) is one of the most important concepts in agile methodologies, especially in frameworks such as Scrum. If you are a Product Owner or aspire to become certified as such, understanding what a good “Definition of Done” implies is crucial to your team's success. This concept helps ensure that completed work meets all quality and functionality criteria before it is truly considered “done”. Below, we will explore some examples and tips on how to define a good Definition of Done, key to improving team productivity and the quality of the final product.

What is the Definition of Done?

The Definition of Done is a list of criteria that must be met before a Product Backlog item is considered complete. These criteria ensure that the work meets the established quality standards and is ready to be delivered to the customer or to move to the next phase of development. It is important that both the development team and the Product Owner agree on this definition to avoid misunderstandings and ensure alignment on sprint objectives.

Importance of a Good Definition of Done

A well-defined Definition of Done helps minimize technical debt, improve collaboration among team members, and ensure that delivered work is ready for production or review. Without it, the team runs the risk of delivering incomplete or low-quality features, which can negatively affect agile development and, ultimately, customer satisfaction.

Examples of a Good Definition of Done

1. Complete Testing (Unit and Integration)A common example of a good DoD criterion is to ensure that all unit and integration tests have been run and passed. This ensures that the software functionality behaves as expected and that there are no integration issues with other parts of the system.DoD Criteria: “All unit tests and integrations must be approved with a 100% success rate before the item is considered completed.”
   
2. Code Reviewed and ApprovedThe code review process (code review) is essential to maintaining software quality. A good Definition of Done should include the requirement that the code has been reviewed and approved by at least one other team member before being marked as “done”.DoD Criteria: “The code has been reviewed by a teammate and approved according to agreed coding standards.”
3. Fulfillment of Functional RequirementsIt is not enough to develop functionality; you need to ensure that it meets the acceptance criteria defined in the Product Backlog. These requirements are usually specified by the Product Owner at the beginning of each sprint.DoD Criteria: “The functionality meets all acceptance criteria specified by the Product Owner.”
4. Updated DocumentationAlthough one of the tenets of the Agile Manifesto is to favor software running on extensive documentation, some documentation is still essential, especially for product maintenance and scalability. A good example of DoD includes updating relevant documentation.DoD Criteria: “User and technical documentation has been updated to reflect changes made.”
5. Deployment in a Test or Production EnvironmentIn many agile organizations, teams not only develop software, but are also responsible for its deployment. A good criterion for DoD is that the product has been deployed in a test or production environment without bugs.DoD Criteria: “The product has been deployed in a test environment without critical bugs.”
6. Validated User Interface (UI)For products with visual interfaces, a good criterion in the Definition of Done may include validation of the interface by the design team or Product Owner. This ensures that the functionality not only works, but also meets design expectations.DoD Criteria: “The user interface has been validated and meets approved design standards.”
   
7. Compliance with Regulations or Legal RequirementsFor some products, especially those operating in regulated industries such as finance or healthcare, it is vital that the software meets certain legal or regulatory standards before it can be released.DoD Criteria: “The product complies with all applicable legal regulations and security requirements.”

Tips for Defining Your Own Definition of Done

1. Team Member CollaborationThe Definition of Done should not be something imposed solely by the Product Owner or the development team. It should be the result of collaboration between all parties involved to ensure that it reflects the expectations and needs of the project.
   
2. Keep it Clear and MeasurableCriteria should be clear and specific so that all team members know exactly when a task is considered “done”. Avoid vague terms like “the code works” and opt for concrete, measurable statements instead.
   
3. Review it RegularlyProject needs may change over time, so it is important that the Definition of Done be reviewed and adjusted on a regular basis to ensure that it remains relevant.
   

Conclusion

A good Definition of Done is essential to ensure that the delivered work is of high quality, meets acceptance criteria and is ready for production or review. As Product Owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that the team is aligned with the DoD and that the criteria are clear and measurable. Remember that constant collaboration and adaptation of these criteria to the needs of the project are key to success in an agile environment.

If you are thinking of obtaining your Product Owner certification, mastering the concept of the Definition of Done will help you lead more efficient teams and deliver more efficient products.