Definition of Ready
The Definition of Ready (DoR) is an informal checklist that a team uses to determine when a Product Backlog item is sufficiently refined and understood to be pulled into Sprint Planning.
Explanation
Unlike the Definition of Done, the Definition of Ready is not an official Scrum artifact. It is a complementary practice that many teams adopt to ensure backlog items are well-prepared before entering a Sprint. A typical DoR might require that an item has a clear description, defined acceptance criteria, estimated size, identified dependencies, and no unresolved questions.
The Definition of Ready helps prevent teams from pulling poorly defined items into a Sprint, which can lead to confusion, rework, and missed Sprint Goals. It also helps the Product Owner understand what level of refinement the team expects before Sprint Planning.
While useful, teams should be careful not to make the DoR so rigid that it creates a waterfall-like gate. The spirit of agile is to remain flexible and responsive. The DoR should be seen as a guideline that improves flow rather than a strict requirement.
Key Points
- •Informal checklist for determining when a backlog item is ready for Sprint Planning
- •Not an official Scrum Guide artifact but a widely used complementary practice
- •Typically includes clear description, acceptance criteria, and size estimate
- •Should not become a rigid gate that inhibits agility
Exam Tip
The Definition of Ready is not defined in the Scrum Guide. If an exam question asks about official Scrum artifacts, DoR is not among them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Definition of Done
The Definition of Done (DoD) is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product, providing a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete.
Product Backlog
The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of everything that might be needed in the product, serving as the single source of requirements for any changes to be made.
Sprint Planning
Sprint Planning is the Scrum event that initiates each Sprint by defining the Sprint Goal, selecting Product Backlog items to work on, and creating an actionable plan for delivering the Increment.
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