Definition of Done

Similar to the practices employed in commercial aviation, the "Definition of Done" serves as a checklist that ensures a consistent level of high quality.

It encompasses the essential standards that a team must meet before considering a task or item as completed.

These "Definitions of Done" checklists can be applied in various contexts, particularly in situations where a team encounters inconsistent results. While they are frequently utilized for stories before final sign off, they can also be extended to other areas, such as completing an iteration or specific events like inception planning.

Unlike acceptance criteria, which are tailored to specific stories or events, the "Definition of Done" is a general list that applies uniformly to all similar items, such as all stories in a project.

In connection with the "Definition of Done," there exists a similar concept known as "Definition of Ready," which applies before a task or item is initiated.

A pro tip: The "Definition of Ready" should include only those critical items generating inconsistent results or having severe consequences if overlooked. Any other non-essential items can gradually be removed from the checklist over time, streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency.