The Increment Definition of Done: Ensuring Quality and Value
In Scrum, the Increment Definition of Done (DoD) is a crucial artifact that ensures transparency and quality for each Product Backlog item. It's a shared understanding within the Scrum Team of what it means for work to be complete and ready for release. This DoD applies to the Product Increment, which is the sum of all the Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of all previous Sprints.
What is the Definition of Done?
The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product. It's a commitment by the Development Team to deliver a potentially releasable Increment at the end of each Sprint. The DoD is not static; it can evolve as the team matures and learns more about the product and its quality requirements.
The DoD is a quality gate for the Increment.
It's a checklist of criteria that must be met for a Product Backlog item to be considered 'done'. This ensures consistency and predictability.
The DoD acts as a quality standard. It typically includes criteria related to testing (unit, integration, system), code reviews, documentation, performance, security, and adherence to architectural standards. Without a clear DoD, the team might deliver incomplete or low-quality work, leading to technical debt and a product that cannot be reliably released.
Why is the Increment DoD Important?
A well-defined Increment DoD provides several key benefits:
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Transparency | Everyone understands what 'done' means, reducing ambiguity. |
| Quality Assurance | Ensures a consistent level of quality for each Increment. |
| Predictability | Helps in forecasting future Sprint outcomes and release timelines. |
| Reduced Rework | Minimizes the need for fixing issues later in the development cycle. |
| Team Alignment | Fosters a shared understanding and commitment to quality. |
Creating and Evolving the DoD
The Scrum Team collaboratively creates and refines the Definition of Done. It's often established during Sprint Planning and reviewed and adapted during Sprint Retrospectives. The Product Owner may have specific quality requirements, but the Development Team is responsible for ensuring the DoD is realistic and achievable.
The DoD is a living document. As the team gains experience and the product evolves, the DoD should be updated to reflect new quality standards or best practices.
The Development Team.
Example DoD Criteria
While the specific criteria vary greatly by project and organization, here are common elements found in an Increment DoD:
- Code is peer-reviewed.
- All acceptance criteria for the Product Backlog item are met.
- Unit tests are written and pass.
- Integration tests pass.
- Performance tests meet defined thresholds.
- Security vulnerabilities are addressed.
- Necessary documentation is updated.
- The Increment is deployed to a staging environment.
The Definition of Done acts as a quality checklist. Imagine it as a series of gates that a Product Backlog item must pass through before it's considered truly 'done' and part of a potentially releasable Increment. Each gate represents a specific quality check, such as passing unit tests, code reviews, or meeting performance benchmarks. Only when all gates are cleared is the work considered complete and ready for the next stage.
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The DoD and the Product Increment
The Product Increment is the sum of all Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of all previous Sprints. The Increment must be usable. If the Product Owner decides that the Increment is not releasable, then the last Sprint is considered not to have happened. The DoD ensures that each Increment is of sufficient quality to be potentially releasable, giving the Product Owner the flexibility to decide whether to release it.
The last Sprint is considered not to have happened.
Learning Resources
The official Scrum Guide's explanation of the Definition of Done and its importance in Scrum.
An article from Scrum.org explaining the purpose, creation, and evolution of the Definition of Done.
A detailed explanation of the DoD, its benefits, and how to implement it effectively.
A concise video explaining the core concepts of the Definition of Done in Scrum.
Explores the Definition of Done in the context of agile project management and its impact on quality.
Practical advice on how to create and implement a robust Definition of Done for your Scrum team.
This article clarifies the concept of the Product Increment and its relationship with the Definition of Done.
Discusses the Product Increment, its characteristics, and how it's built incrementally.
A comprehensive tutorial covering the Definition of Done, its components, and best practices.
A glossary entry from Agile Alliance providing a clear definition and context for the DoD.