Laser Focus Your Team: The Superpowers of Definitions of Done & Ready

Dictate How You Start and Finish Work

Fuzzy work status plaguing your team? Work oozes beyond expectations and deadlines slip. Restore order with two simple but powerful techniques – the Definition of Done (DOD) and Definition of Ready (DOR).

These deceptively simple concepts serve as guiding principles that transform ambiguity into clarity, empowering your team to work cohesively towards shared goals. In this article, we will demystify the Definition of Done and the Definition of Ready, explore their real-life applications, and understand how they adapt and evolve with changing contexts.

Why are these definitions so invaluable for teams?

First, they eliminate ambiguity around work item status. When expectations are unclear, work perpetually feels unfinished. But with a clear Definition of Done, teams understand what the finish line looks like. No more moving targets. With your DoR, teams won't pick up work before the understood business needs and acceptance criteria are defined.

Second, Definitions of Done empower accurate forecasting. When you deeply understand what completed entails across all tasks, you can better estimate work size since you know what it means for work to be done.

Third, having consistent definitions across projects enables continuous improvement. With a standardized bar for done, you can spot inefficiencies and optimize processes over time.

Understanding The Definition of Done (DoD)

The Definition of Done is a critical agreement within your team that outlines the specific criteria a deliverable must meet to be considered complete and ready for release or deployment. It sets a clear standard for the quality and completeness of work and ensures that every team member understands when a task, feature, or project can be considered "done." For example, in software development, the DoD may encompass aspects like code review, documentation, testing, and user acceptance. By adhering to the DoD, your team can confidently release products or services without fear of overlooked errors or unmet requirements.

Some examples may include:

- Code is peer reviewed

- Automated tests pass

- Documentation is updated

- Stakeholder sign-off received

Knowing your Definition of Done helps you get to agreement and alignment on what it means for work to be done so your team can spend more time delivering and less time discussing completeness.

Understanding the Definition of Ready (DoR)

On the flip side, the Definition of Ready defines the prerequisites that must be met before a task can be pulled into the team's workflow. It ensures that every item on your team's backlog is well-defined, scoped, and ready for execution. Think of it as a gatekeeper that prevents half-baked ideas from clogging your team's capacity. For example, a user story in a software project may require detailed acceptance criteria and wireframes before it's ready for development. By having a solid DoR in place, your team can minimize delays caused by incomplete or ambiguous tasks and maintain a steady flow of productive work.

For example:

- Code is peer reviewed

- Automated tests pass

- Documentation is updated

- Stakeholder sign-off received

Ideally, no work should start unless it meets Definition of Ready. No work should end unless it meets the Definition of Done. These guardrails prevent teams from biting off more than they can chew.

Adapting Definitions for your Teams

The beauty of the Definition of Done and the Definition of Ready lies in their adaptability to different contexts. As your team evolves and projects vary, so too may the specifics of your DoD and DoR. Be open to iterative improvements and collaborative discussions to ensure they reflect the current needs of your team. Regularly assess whether the criteria set in the DoD still meet the desired quality standards and whether the DoR remains effective in keeping your backlog well-prepared. By involving your team in these discussions, you foster a culture of continuous improvement and collective ownership of process efficiency.

As your team gains experience and navigates through different projects, the Definition of Done and the Definition of Ready may evolve. What worked effectively at the project's inception may require adjustments as you encounter new challenges or expand into different domains. Stay attuned to feedback from team members and stakeholders, and be proactive in refining these definitions to better support your team's growth and adapt to emerging requirements.

Incorporating the Definition of Done and the Definition of Ready into your team's workflow can lead to a substantial boost in productivity and efficiency. These guiding principles provide the clarity needed to ensure every task is completed to the desired standard and that your team is well-prepared to tackle upcoming challenges. By embracing the power of DoD and DoR and remaining open to evolution, you set your team on the path to success—a path that is grounded in shared understanding, continuous improvement, and a relentless drive to deliver outstanding results.

Reflection

1. How well-defined is our team's current Definition of Done (DoD) and Definition of Ready (DoR)? Are there any criteria missing or redundant that we should address to enhance our workflow?
2. Reflect on instances where adherence to the DoD positively impacted the quality of our deliverables. How can we build on these successes to further improve our team's efficiency?
3. Have there been situations where a lack of clarity in the DoR caused delays or miscommunication in our project execution? How can we ensure that our backlog items are adequately prepared to keep a steady flow of work?

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