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Why Your Definition of “Done” Is Holding Back Quality, Agility, and Trust—And How to Raise the Bar

Definition of Done: Boosting Quality and Trust

Is your team’s “done” really done? Discover how a clear, objective definition of done boosts quality, agility, and trust in product delivery.

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Can Your Product Pass the Done Test?

Over the years, I’ve seen teams fall into the trap of treating “done” as a vague aspiration rather than a concrete, objective standard. Too often, “done” is little more than a checklist of completed tasks, a box-ticking exercise that says nothing about whether we’ve actually delivered value. But here’s the hard truth: good done isn’t aspirational. It’s objective. It’s measurable. And it’s the foundation upon which real agility and trust are built.

What Does “Done” Really Mean?

A robust definition of done is not about whether the team has finished their tasks. It’s about whether the increment—the thing you’ve built—actually works in the real world. For me, a strong definition of done means:

  • The increment is thoroughly tested, not just in isolation but in the context of the whole system.
  • It’s deployed to a production-like environment, not languishing in some staging area.
  • It’s monitored, with telemetry in place so we can see how it behaves in the wild.
  • It’s actively validating (or diminishing) a real business hypothesis—are we actually solving the problem we set out to address?
  • It’s safe, valuable, and ready to deliver learning immediately.

This is not about perfectionism or gold-plating. It’s about outcomes being real, not just theoretical. It’s about delivering something that works, that’s safe, that’s valuable, and that you can learn from right away.

Why Raising the Bar on “Done” Matters

When we help teams set real-world benchmarks for excellence, we’re not just being pedantic. Raising the bar on done raises everything else with it:

  • Quality: A clear, objective definition of done means fewer defects, less rework, and more confidence in what we deliver.
  • Agility: When you know what “done” really means, you can adapt quickly—because you’re not constantly going back to fix things that should have been finished in the first place.
  • Trust: Stakeholders trust teams that consistently deliver increments that work, that are safe, and that provide real value.
  • Time to Value: The faster you can get real, working software into the hands of users, the faster you can learn and adapt.

My Experience: The Power of a Shared Standard

I’ve worked with teams across industries, and the difference between those who treat “done” as a moving target and those who hold themselves to a clear, objective standard is night and day. The latter group delivers faster, learns more, and earns the trust of their stakeholders. They don’t just finish tasks—they deliver outcomes.

If you’re still struggling with what “done” means for your team, you’re not alone. It’s a journey, and it requires courage and discipline. But the payoff is immense: a future-proof standard that drives quality, agility, and trust.

Ready to Define Your Done?

If you’re ready to define your done and raise the bar on quality, let’s talk. Together, we can build a standard that not only meets today’s needs but sets you up for long-term success. Because when you raise the bar on done, you raise the bar on everything else.

Can your product pass the done test? Good done isn’t aspirational. It’s objective. It’s measurable.

A strong definition of done means the increment is tested, deployed, monitored, gathering telemetry, validating or diminishing a real business hypothesis. It’s not about tasks being finished. It’s about outcomes being real. It’s about delivering something that works, that’s safe, that’s valuable, and that you can learn from immediately.

We help teams set real-world benchmarks for excellence because raising the bar on done raises everything else with it: quality, agility, trust, time to value.

Ready to define your done and raise the bar on quality? Let’s build your future-proof standard.

Definition of Done Software Development Product Delivery Operational Practices Value Delivery … 9 more Technical Mastery Working Software Pragmatic Thinking Increment Professional Scrum Engineering Practices Market Adaptability Organisational Agility Technical Excellence
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