Facilitated by TJ Badru.
Learn to create and use Definition of Done (DoD) and Definition of Ready (DoR) to ensure quality, reduce waste, and improve team alignment.
Why These Definitions Matter:
DoD and DoR create shared understanding within teams and across the organization. They prevent misunderstandings, reduce rework, and ensure everyone knows what “done” really means.
Definition of Done – Ensuring Quality:
• What DoD is and why it’s essential for transparency
• Creating a DoD that ensures potentially shippable Increments
• DoD at different levels: Story, Sprint, Release
• Common DoD items: code review, testing, documentation, deployment
• How DoD relates to the Increment and Sprint Goal
• Evolving your DoD as your team matures
Building Your Definition of Done:
• Collaborative workshop for creating team DoD
• Including technical and non-technical criteria
• Making DoD visible and accessible
• Getting organizational buy-in for DoD
• Enforcing DoD without becoming rigid
Definition of Ready – Starting Right:
• What DoR is and how it helps Sprint Planning
• Criteria for ready user stories
• INVEST criteria as a foundation for DoR
• Refining stories to meet DoR
• Balancing thoroughness with Just-In-Time refinement
Sample DoR Checklist:
• Clear acceptance criteria defined
• Dependencies identified and resolved
• Story sized appropriately (fits in a Sprint)
• Business value articulated
• User interface mockups provided (if needed)
• Technical approach discussed
• Testability confirmed
Practical Workshop:
• Review sample stories against DoD/DoR
• Create DoD for a real project scenario
• Identify gaps in existing DoD/DoR
• Practice refining stories to meet DoR
• Discuss how to handle stories that don’t meet DoD
Common Challenges Addressed:
• What to do when DoD can’t be met during the Sprint
• Handling external dependencies in DoR
• Balancing perfection with pragmatism
• Updating DoD and DoR over time
• Getting stakeholder buy-in
Benefits of Attending This Session:
Participants will create practical DoD and DoR for their teams, understand how these definitions improve quality and reduce waste, and learn to use DoD/DoR effectively without becoming bureaucratic. You’ll leave with templates and examples you can adapt immediately.