In software development, there’s nothing quite as frustrating as the word “done.” It sounds definitive, but without a clear Definition of Done (DoD), it’s anything but.
“Done” can mean different things to different people; developers, testers, Product Owners, and stakeholders. And when those definitions clash, chaos isn’t far behind.
Why Do You Need a Definition of Done?
A strong DoD is more than a box-ticking exercise. It’s the backbone of a team’s workflow, ensuring that what gets shipped is valuable, reliable, and ready for users. Here’s what it accomplishes:
Creates a Common Understanding of Quality
The DoD establishes a baseline for what “done” looks like. Without it, teams often assume wildly different standards. One person might think a PBI is done when the code is written; another might expect full integration testing.Reduces Rework
By preventing PBIs that don’t meet the DoD from moving forward, you avoid the costly cycle of revisiting incomplete or broken work.Builds Stakeholder Confidence
When teams follow a clear DoD, stakeholders know they’re getting features that meet agreed-upon standards, not half-baked code rushed to production.Prevents Unfinished Work from Reaching Users
A poorly implemented feature can damage your product, reputation, and user experience. The DoD ensures only high-quality work makes it out the door.
Why Poor DoD Is a Recipe for Disaster
Misaligned Expectations
Imagine this: A developer marks a feature as done because the code works locally. The tester assumes it's incomplete because it hasn’t been integrated. Meanwhile, the Product Manager expected it live in production yesterday. This kind of misalignment is the hallmark of a poorly defined DoD.Endless Rework
I once worked with a team that shipped a “done” feature, only to spend three more sprints fixing bugs, scaling it for production, and updating documentation. Why? Their DoD didn’t include performance benchmarks or documentation updates.Stakeholder Frustration
When features are marked as “done” but don’t work as expected, stakeholders lose trust in the team. Worse, they might start micromanaging future sprints, undermining the team’s autonomy.
DoD vs Acceptance Criteria
Definition of Done: Focuses on technical completeness and team-defined quality standards that apply to all PBIs.
Acceptance Criteria: Focuses on user needs, specific to each PBI, ensuring the feature delivers the intended value.
DoD vs. Acceptance Criteria
Here’s a simple metaphor to understand the distinction. Imagine you’re building a car.
Definition of Done (DoD): The car passes all official technical inspections and is roadworthy.
Acceptance Criteria: The car has a red exterior, a trunk size above X liters, and built-in Bluetooth.
Both are critical, but they serve different purposes. Without meeting the DoD, the car isn’t safe to drive. Without meeting the Acceptance Criteria, the customer won’t buy it.
How to Build a Strong DoD
Creating an effective DoD doesn’t happen overnight, but here’s a roadmap:
Collaborate to Define It
Involve developers, testers, Product Managers and even stakeholders. The DoD should reflect the needs of everyone involved.Start Simple
Begin with a basic checklist: code reviews, unit tests, and integration tests. Add more layers over time, like performance testing and scalability benchmarks.Document It Clearly
Post your DoD where it’s easily accessible. Ambiguity is the enemy of productivity.Revisit Regularly
As your team grows and the product evolves, your DoD should too. Periodically review it to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
What’s in a Good Definition of Done?
A strong Definition of Done (DoD) ensures that work is complete, high-quality, and ready to deliver value. A robust DoD evolves over time and can be categorized into levels of maturity; Good-Enough, Good and Mature.
Regardless of the maturity level, a good DoD focuses on Quality Standards and Non-Functional Requirements.
1. Quality Standards
These are the technical checks and balances that ensure your code and features meet the team’s defined expectations. Here's an example of how they evolve:
Initial DoD: Foundational Quality
Unit Test Coverage: At least 85% to ensure critical parts of the codebase are tested.
Functional Testing: All functional tests pass without issues.
No Known Defects: Any bugs identified during testing are resolved before release.
Peer Code Reviews: Every piece of code is reviewed and approved by teammates.
Documentation: Completed and updated to reflect changes.
Mature DoD: Improving Quality Assurance
Maintainability Index: Ensuring code maintainability with a score of 90 or higher.
Functional Test Automation: Over 75% of functional tests are automated to improve efficiency.
No Coding Standard Errors: Adherence to best practices and agreed coding standards.
Technical Debt: Addressed promptly and kept under 5 days (subjective).
Stringent DoD: Advanced Quality Standards
Regression Testing: All regression tests are completed and pass.
Performance and Load Testing: Benchmarked to ensure the feature meets performance standards under expected loads.
PEN Testing: Ensuring security vulnerabilities are addressed.
Regulatory and Compliance Updates: Meets industry regulations and standards.
UAT Approved: User Acceptance Testing is completed and approved by relevant people.
2. Non-Functional Requirements
These often-overlooked aspects ensure the software remains reliable, scalable, and user-friendly over time:
Availability: The system meets uptime requirements.
Scalability: The feature or application can handle future growth and increasing user demand.
Performance: Features meet predefined benchmarks, ensuring speed and efficiency.
Security: Complies with legal, regulatory, and organizational standards to protect data and systems.
Maintainability: Code is well-structured, easy to understand, and simple to update.
Usability: Features meet user experience guidelines, ensuring they are intuitive and functional.
The True Meaning of Done
Here’s the bottom line: “Done” isn’t just about shipping a feature. It’s about delivering value. Without a strong Definition of Done, you’re not building software. You’re building confusion.
The next time someone says a PBI is done, don’t just take their word for it. Ask them:
Has it passed all the tests?
Is it ready for production?
Does it meet user needs and expectations?
Does the customer know about this? Can they use it? (credits:
)
Because if it doesn’t check all the boxes, it isn’t done.
And remember: Done is more than a checkbox. It’s a commitment to quality, alignment, and user satisfaction.