Agile definition of done: In Agile development, teams most often stress over speed, deadlines, and scope. But none of that matters if the product isn’t truly done. Here’s where the Agile Definition of Done becomes key. It gives teams common ground as to what “done” is, and it stops features from reaching users half-baked or inconsistent. For product managers, mastering the Definition of Done is a core responsibility, with a direct effect on product quality, predictability, and customer trust.
What is Agile Definition of Done?
Agile definition of done provides a clear checklist of the conditions that each product increment must satisfy when it is said to be complete; in other words, the quality standards, rules of coding, test requirements, documentation, and other non-functional criteria. Consider it an agreement within the Scrum team. Developers, testers, and product managers use the exact same criteria; there is no room for interpretation, no guesswork.
Simple example:
- A user story in a shopping app can be considered “done” only when
- The code is written
- All acceptance criteria pass
- UX guidelines are followed.
- Automated tests run clean
- Peer review is complete
- The feature is merged and deployed to staging.
If any of this is missing, the story isn’t done – even if the “feature looks ready.”
Why does Definition of Done matter for Product Managers?
Product managers tend to focus a lot on the “what” and “why” of the product. In turn, the DoD protects the “how well.” Here’s why it is important from the PM perspective:
- Ensures Reliability and User Trust
Features that get built out without a robust DoD mostly break in production. They act unpredictably and create growing customer frustration. A strict DoD ensures users receive stable and predictable features every single time.
- Enhances Estimation Accuracy
Teams often underestimate tasks because they don’t know what “done” includes. With a DoD, estimates become realistic because everyone understands the full scope of work.
- Reduces Technical Debt
Rushed or incomplete features create future rework. A good DoD forces teams to handle quality up-front, rather than postponing fixes until later releases.
- Brings clarity to sprint reviews
A story is either done or not done. Nothing sits in ambiguity. This will help product managers make better decisions at sprint reviews and planning.
Key Components of Effective Definition of Done
A Definition of Done should be specific enough to guarantee quality but flexible enough for a variety of teams and project types. Most organizations structure it around these components:
- Code Completion
- Code follows guidelines on naming teams and style
- All functions and flows are implemented.
- Test Requirements
- Unit tests cover core paths
- Integration tests pass successfully
- Manual exploratory testing is complete
- Quality and Performance Standards
- No major bugs remain.
- Performance criteria are checked.
- Security checks pass
- Documentation
- User-facing documentation is updated as necessary.
- APIs or technical notes are added.
- Deployment Criteria
- Code merged to the main branch
- Build pipeline passes
- The feature is available in staging or relevant environments.
- Not all teams need the same items. But every team does need consistency.
Definition of Done vs. Acceptance Criteria
These two are often confused, but they solve different problems.
- Acceptance Criteria
- Are unique to each user story
- Describe how that particular feature should behave.
- Outline business rules and edge cases
- Definition of Done
- Applies to every user story
- Focuses on quality, completeness, and standards.
- Remains the same until the team updates it.
Example:
For a “Password Reset” feature:
- Acceptance criteria: Explain what happens upon a user inputting an email.
- Definition of Done: Code is reviewed, tested, secured, and documented.
Both are required to complete an increment.
How Product Managers Contribute to Definition of Done?
Product managers are never observers. They are constantly molding and refining the DoD to fit product and business needs.
- Validating Non-Functional Requirements
PMs must define expectations for performance, reliability, accessibility, and compliance.
- Avoid Overloading the DoD
A DoD with unnecessary steps makes the team slower. PMs should help to evaluate what actually provides value.
- Interact During Grooming Sessions
It should appear naturally when discussing grooming. For PMs, tasks may seem too big because of DoD items, so they can help split stories into smaller ones.
- Establish Consistency across Teams
When multiple squads are working on one product, the DoD should not be very different. PMs help maintain consistency so that the user experience remains uniform.
Examples of Definition of Done for Different Scenarios
Below are some examples that teams may use to create a DoD that fits their actual environment.
Example 1: Mobile Application Feature
- Code implemented for iOS and Android
- UI tested on various screen sizes
- Crash-free test results
- Validated push notification behaviour
Example 2: API Endpoint
- Endpoint Returns Correct Status Codes
- Swagger documentation updated
- Load tested to 500 requests per second
- Security scan complete
Example 3: Improving UX
- Component matches design system
- Cross-browser compatibility verified
- Accessibility checks pass AA standards
How to Create Strong Definition of Done?
Here is a basic process that product managers can follow with their team:
- Step 1: Identify recurring quality issues. Look to past bugs, delays or rework. These are the clues about missing DoD elements.
- Step 2: Involve the whole team. The developers, testers, designers, and PMs all own the DoD.
- Step 3: Keep it short and clear: A long DoD is a burden. Write only the essentials.
- Step 4: Review it every quarter. The DoD should move with the times as technology advances.
Agile Definition of Done FAQs
What is the Definition of Done in Agile?
It's a clear set of criteria agreed by the team that a product increment must meet to be considered complete.
Why is DoD important?
Because it ensures quality consistently, allows transparency, and assures that work is truly finished.
Who creates the DoD?
The Scrum Team develops it in collaboration, considering the product and organizational guidelines.
Does the DoD include testing?
Yes, everything will need to be tested: unit tests, integration, acceptance, and so on.