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October 12, 2004

Definition of Done

Pithy words from Kert Peterson:

Team understanding and ownership of "Done" is far more important than an "outside" definition of what "Done" should be. Rather than define "Done" yourself and impose on the team, try this 10-minute exercise:

1) Get the team in the room
2) Ask a team member to step up and be scribe
3) Ask the team "What needs to happen for a feature/requirement to get into
the hands of a user?"
4) Then ask "What else?..."
5) Then ask "What else?..."
6) Generate list of the "tasks that lead to "Done"
7) Have the team decide which of these tasks belong INSIDE the sprint and
which are part of the implementation sprint

I led this discussion at a client's site last week and the list and level of
team engagement were far more impressive than if I'd stepped in and told the
team what "Done" was (rather than have the definition originate within and
among the team). Having the definition originate with the team fosters
ownership.

Posted by jb at October 12, 2004 10:47 AM

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