Artifact 4: Definition of "Done"

What is the Definition of Done?

The Definition of Done (DoD) is a shared, formal description of the state an increment must be in for the team to consider it complete—for example, code reviewed, unit tested, integrated, and documented.

Why It Matters

• It creates a shared understanding of quality across the whole team.
• It prevents "hidden work" from being discovered late, after items are reported as complete.
• It ensures that every increment is genuinely usable, not just superficially finished.

Evolving the Definition

As a team matures, the Definition of Done typically becomes stricter, incorporating more rigorous testing, documentation, or non-functional requirements.