Definition of Done Workshop
A collaborative session for a team to define their shared standard for when work is truly complete. A strong Definition of Done (DoD) prevents technical debt, misaligned expectations, and the 'done but not really done' trap. The DoD is a checklist every increment must meet before it can be called done — written by the team, not imposed from above.
How to run it
- 1
Open with the question: 'What does it mean for a piece of work to be truly complete?'
- 2
Brainstorm individually on sticky notes: every condition that must be true for something to be done.
- 3
Cluster and discuss. Categories often include: code, testing, documentation, review, deployment, acceptance criteria.
- 4
Challenge each criterion: is this always required, or only sometimes? Remove things that belong in acceptance criteria (per-story) rather than the DoD (universal).
- 5
Agree on a concise checklist. Each item should be verifiable (yes/no), not vague.
- 6
Post the DoD visibly. Review it in every retrospective and update as the team matures.
- 7
Apply it: at the end of every sprint, check each completed item against the DoD.
Tips
A good DoD makes 'undone work' visible.
If the team is always discovering work after 'done', the DoD is incomplete.
Start strict — it's easier to relax criteria than to tighten them later.
Variations
Run a 'Definition of Ready' workshop too: what must be true before a story can be picked up for development? Stack DoDs at different levels: story, sprint, release.
Where it fits
Related methods
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Definition of Done Workshop?▾
Use Definition of Done Workshop when you want to: Scrum team formation; Quality improvement; Reducing technical debt; Aligning cross-functional teams.
How long does Definition of Done Workshop take?▾
Definition of Done Workshop typically takes 60–120 minutes.
How many participants does Definition of Done Workshop work for?▾
Definition of Done Workshop works best for groups of 3–10 participants.
What materials do I need for Definition of Done Workshop?▾
To run Definition of Done Workshop you will need: sticky notes, markers, whiteboard.
How difficult is Definition of Done Workshop to facilitate?▾
Definition of Done Workshop is rated intermediate — some facilitation experience is helpful.
Plan your next workshop with AI
Workshop Weaver helps you combine methods like Definition of Done Workshop into a complete, timed agenda in minutes.
Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices.