The Definition of Done

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The Definition of Done is a crucial concept in Scrum framework that is often misunderstood. It is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the required quality measures for the product. It plays a critical role in the successful implementation of the Scrum framework by ensuring the creation of a 'Done' potentially releasable increment. The Definition of Done is the entire Scrum team's responsibility, but teams must also adhere to any organizational-level norms, regulations, standards, or security policies that must be part of the product's Definition of Done.

The Definition of Done supports the Scrum framework throughout its five Scrum events. During the Sprint Planning event, it helps the Scrum team understand the required activities to complete the work and decompose the Product Backlog Items into an actionable plan. The Daily Scrum event helps build a "Team Goal over Individual Goal" mindset by realizing that a product backlog item is not done until the Definition of Done is met altogether. During the Sprint Review event, the Definition of Done provides a shared understanding of the quality criteria that the product currently has, enhancing transparency and supporting empiricism. Additionally, if a product backlog item does not meet the Definition of Done, it cannot be released or even presented at the Sprint Review. The Sprint Retrospective event is the best time for the Scrum team to discuss how well they achieved their Definition of Done and if there are any opportunities to improve it further.

In conclusion, the Definition of Done provides a shared understanding among the Scrum team and stakeholders about what it means for the work to be complete. It supports transparency and empiricism and plays a critical role in delivering value by ensuring the creation of a potentially releasable increment. Hence, having a clear and well-defined Definition of Done is crucial for the successful implementation of the Scrum framework.

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