Agreeing what complete means.
WHAT A DEFINITION OF DONE IS
The conditions every item must satisfy before it is considered complete.
WHY IT MATTERS
Without one, done means different things to different people, and work is repeatedly reopened.
WHAT IT TYPICALLY INCLUDES
Code written and reviewed Tests written and passing Documentation updated Merged to the main branch Deployed, or deployable Accepted by whoever asked for it
WHAT TO AVOID
A definition nobody meets A definition so long it is ignored
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
Something achievable, applied consistently, strengthened over time.
WHAT IT PREVENTS
Work declared finished and requiring more work later Defects accumulating for a later effort Disagreement at the end of an iteration
WHAT ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA ADD
Conditions specific to one item.
WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS
The definition of done applies to everything. Acceptance criteria apply to one item.
WHAT TO ENFORCE AUTOMATICALLY
Whatever can be: tests, formatting, analysis, build.
WHAT TO REVIEW
The definition, periodically, as the team matures.
