7 Things You Should Include in Your Definition of Done
The Definition of Done must emphasise readiness for quality, sustainability, security, performance, and alignment with broader business objectives, which are crucial for long-term product success.
When defining a product's Definition of Done, it's crucial to establish clear criteria that ensure each product backlog item meets the necessary standards before being considered complete.
A robust Definition of Done enhances product quality, fosters team alignment, and builds stakeholder trust. It effectively minimises waste, enables transparency, and ensures value delivery.
1. Sustainability and Technical Debt Management:
The Definition of Done should include criteria that ensure the work contributes to the long-term sustainability of the product. This means delivering functionality without accruing unnecessary technical debt.
For example, performance testing and other non-functional requirements should be considered, even if they are not immediately visible or needed to the end user. This proactive approach prevents future bottlenecks and ensures that the product remains adaptable and maintainable.
2. Security and Compliance Standards:
In today's environment, it is critical to ensure that every product increment adheres to relevant security protocols and compliance standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or industry-specific regulations.
The Definition of Done should require security reviews and compliance checks depending on the team's reach. Addressing these concerns early and consistently helps mitigate risks and ensures the product is secure and compliant, reducing the likelihood of future issues.
3. Performance Optimization:
The Definition of Done should include performance benchmarks the product increment must meet, such as load times, response times, and the ability to handle expected traffic volumes or data processing needs. By incorporating performance criteria, teams ensure the product works and delivers a smooth user experience.
4. Stakeholder Alignment and Feedback Integration:
The Definition of Done should consider integrating feedback from stakeholders, including customers, end-users, and internal teams, which involves verifying that the product increment aligns with the broader business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
Regularly considering this feedback when the team updates their Definition of Done ensures that the product evolves to meet market demands and business goals, enhancing its relevance and value.
5. User Analytics and Monitoring Setup:
The Definition of Done should also require appropriate user analytics and monitoring tools before a product increment is complete. This ensures teams can track user behaviour, product performance, and issues in real-time once the increment is live. These tools allow for data-driven decision-making and quicker responses to post-deployment problems, improving the product's overall quality and user experience.
6. Integration:
The Definition of Done should ensure that these integrations work seamlessly and that the work items delivered do not introduce regressions or conflicts with other system parts. This includes verifying data flow between systems, ensuring no deadlocks, and confirming proper authentication where necessary.
7. Usability and User Experience (UX) Validated:
The work should be reviewed against usability and user experience guidelines to ensure it's intuitive and easy for end users. These guidelines include accessibility standards, responsiveness across different devices, and ease of navigation.
Testing for UX goes beyond the technical functionality to confirm that the end product is aligned with how users expect to interact with it, ultimately contributing to user satisfaction.
Establishing a well-rounded Definition of Done is more than just a checklist; it's a strategic tool that aligns the team's efforts with the product's goals.
By continuously refining the Definition of Done to reflect industry best practices and evolving product needs, teams can ensure they deliver high-quality, valuable products with each iteration. This approach drives immediate success and positions the product for long-term growth and adaptability in a rapidly changing market.