Definition of Ready vs Definition of Done: Key Differences in Agile

In Agile methodologies - clarity is the foundation of successful project execution. Whether you’re a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or team member - having clear and actionable criteria is very important. This is where the Definition of Ready (DoR) and the Definition of Done (DoD) come into play. These two concepts ensure that your team is aligned on what qualifies as 'ready' for work and what qualifies as “done” once work is completed. 

While the terms might sound straightforward, their application holds immense value in driving efficiency and quality in Agile projects. In this post, we’ll explore the nuances of DoR and DoD, compare them, and delve into why both are essential for Agile success. 

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What is the Definition of Ready (DoR)? 

The Definition of Ready (DoR) highlights the benchmark that a user story or backlog item must meet before a team commits to working on it. It acts as a pre-flight checklist - and makes sure that all necessary details, resources, and dependencies are in place for development to begin confidently. When a task fails to meet these readiness conditions - it’s a signal that the team shouldn’t proceed yet, as unclear or incomplete inputs often result in wasted effort and misaligned outcomes. 

In practice, the DoR brings structure and accountability to the start of a sprint. It forces conversations about what’s missing, clarifies assumptions, and prevents the team from diving into half-baked requirements. A well-crafted DoR outlines what’s included, what’s excluded - and the prerequisites needed to avoid ambiguity. 

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Typical examples include: 

• Clearly articulated and testable acceptance criteria 
• No pending dependencies or blockers  
• User stories refined and understood by the team 
• Availability of all relevant stakeholders or team members 

By meeting these standards, the DoR ensures every sprint begins with clarity and direction, reducing downstream friction and delays. 

What is the Definition of Ready (DoR)? 

The Definition of Done (DoD) outlines the specific criteria a user story or task must meet for it to be considered complete. While the Definition of Ready (DoR) prepares the task for execution - the DoD makes sure that the task is finished to the required standard before it is marked as complete. 

DoD sets clear, objective standards that define the steps necessary for work to be declared fully done. These standards can include processes - like thorough code reviews, successful test results, or final approval from stakeholders. It offers an unambiguous method to confirm that work is not only finished but also meets the necessary quality before being released to the next phase or delivered to the customer. 

Common elements of a DoD include: 

• Code reviewed and successfully merged  
• Unit tests pass automatically 
• Acceptance criteria fully met  
• Documentation updated 
• Feature deployed and tested in a staging environment 

By adhering to the DoD, teams ensure that the work delivered is complete, defect-free, and production-ready, reducing the chances of incomplete or substandard work reaching stakeholders. 

Definition of Done vs Definition of Ready: Table of Differences 

Understanding the distinction between the Definition of Ready (DoR) and the Definition of Done (DoD) is very important - when working in an Agile environment - for maintaining a smooth workflow. Both concepts serve different yet complementary roles in the development process. The DoR makes sure that a task or user story is sufficiently prepared to be worked on - and the DoD confirms that the task has met all necessary criteria before it is considered complete. 

Here’s a comparison table to clearly highlight the key differences between these two concepts – DoD vs DoR:

Aspect	Definition of Ready (DoR)	Definition of Done (DoD)
Purpose	Ensures that tasks are adequately prepared for work	Confirms that tasks meet all criteria for completion
Timing	Applied before work begins	Applied once work is completed
Focus	Clarity of requirements and dependencies	Quality of the delivered work
Criteria	Clear acceptance criteria, resolved dependencies	Code review, testing, documentation, stakeholder approval
Example	Task is well-defined with no blockers or ambiguities	Feature is tested, reviewed, and approved for release

By understanding these differences, teams can better manage their work - which avoids delays or incomplete deliverables. The DoR sets the stage for effective execution - while the DoD makes sure the work meets quality standards before being handed off. 

Definition of Done vs Definition of Ready: Detailed Differences 

While both DoR and DoD help define quality, they address different stages of the Agile process - pre-work and post-work. Let’s dive deeper into their differences: 

1. Timing and Role in Workflow 

• DoR comes into play before any work starts. It's all about ensuring that the task or user story is fully defined and understood by the team. Once a story meets the DoR - the team can begin their work without delays 
• DoD, however, is applied after work is completed. It provides the criteria to ensure that the task meets all required quality checks and can be marked as finished. It serves as the final checkpoint before a product increment is released. 

2. Focus and Purpose 

• DoR focuses on ensuring clarity and preparation. It helps in breaking down a complex task into smaller, manageable, and actionable chunks - ready for development. It’s about eliminating confusion before work begins. 
• DoD, in contrast - focuses on verifying the completeness of the work. It makes sure the output adheres to the standards of quality, functionality, and completeness. If a task doesn’t meet DoD, it’s not "done" - it’s still work in progress. 

3. Practical Examples in Agile Projects 

Consider a user story - like “As a user, I want to be able to log into my account using Google credentials.” 

DoR for this task would require the following: 

• Clear acceptance criteria (e.g., the login button should appear on the login page). 
• The task is prioritized in the backlog.  
• The development environment is ready - with all dependencies (e.g., Google OAuth API) set up.

DoD for this task might include:  

• The login functionality works as expected and is tested across browsers. 
• Unit tests pass - and security tests confirm that the integration with Google OAuth is secure.  
• The feature has been reviewed by the product owner and other stakeholders. 

Impact on Team Efficiency 

Without a well-defined DoR, teams might waste valuable time on tasks that are too vague or undefined - leading to unnecessary delays and confusion. DoD ensures that once work is completed - it meets a high standard and is ready for release. This reduces the risk of defects or incomplete features slipping through the cracks. 

Both DoR and DoD provide critical structure in Agile projects - enabling smoother workflows and better product quality. 

Why Both DoR & DoD Are Essential for Agile Success? 

Both the Definition of Ready (DoR) and Definition of Done (DoD) are essential for the effective functioning of Agile workflows. The DoR makes sure that tasks or user stories are clearly defined and free of confusion before work starts - which sets the team up for success. Without a clear DoR, teams may begin working on tasks that are incomplete or vague - that lead to inefficiencies and wasted effort.  

In contrast - the DoD acts as a safeguard for quality - which make sure tasks are fully completed and meet the required standards before they are considered finished. It provides a final check - which makes sure work is thoroughly tested, reviewed - and free of defects before being delivered. This helps to prevent mistakes and ensures consistently high-quality output.  

When used together - the DoR and DoD create a seamless project flow. The DoR makes sure that work is well-prepared from the start - while the DoD guarantees that the final deliverables meet quality expectations. This combination keeps projects on track, delivers superior results, and makes sure that the team’s efforts align with business goals and customer needs - driving overall success in Agile environments. 

Final Thoughts 

To conclude - the Definition of Ready (DoR) and Definition of Done (DoD) are integral components of Agile methodologies. The DoR makes sure that tasks are clearly defined and fully prepared before execution - while the DoD ensures the completion and quality of the work. Both play a crucial role in fostering a smooth, efficient - and high-quality Agile environment. 

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