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Planning & Processphrase · /ˌdefɪˈnɪʃən əv ˈredi/

definition of ready

In simple English

Definition of Ready (DoR) is a checklist used in Agile and Scrum teams to determine whether a work item is prepared for development. This is distinct from Definition of Done, which describes the completion criteria. A story or task is considered ready when it has clear requirements, acceptance criteria, necessary design assets, and dependencies are identified. In real tech workplaces, teams establish their own DoR during sprint planning or backlog refinement meetings. Common criteria include: the story has a clear business value, acceptance criteria are written, technical requirements are understood, dependencies are documented, and the product owner is available for questions. Without a strong DoR, teams often waste time clarifying vague requirements mid-sprint, which reduces productivity. Using DoR prevents the common problem where developers start coding before understanding what is actually needed, leading to rework and delays. It shifts quality control to the beginning of the development cycle rather than the end.

Understand what criteria make a user story ready to be worked on by developers.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness4/5
Versatility4/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓Does this story meet our definition of ready?
✓We cannot start development until it passes the definition of ready
✓The definition of ready includes acceptance criteria and wireframes

Real examples

in a backlog refinement meeting

"Before we move this ticket into the next sprint, let us check it against our definition of ready."

in a standup

"This feature did not meet our definition of ready, so we sent it back to the product owner for clarification."

in a sprint planning session

"All stories in today's planning have satisfied the definition of ready, so we can commit to them confidently."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Often confused with definition of done; DoR applies before work starts, DoD applies after it is completed.

✕We finished the definition of ready for this task.
✓This task meets our definition of ready.— DoR is a checklist or criteria, not something you complete; you verify that work meets it.
✕The definition of ready is about when the work is done.
✓The definition of ready is about when the work is ready to start.— DoR applies at the beginning; Definition of Done applies at the end of development.
✕We do not need a definition of ready if we have a definition of done.
✓We need both definition of ready and definition of done for a complete process.— These serve different purposes: DoR prepares work before it starts, DoD confirms it is finished.

Other forms

noun

definition of ready

"Our team created a definition of ready that all stories must satisfy."

phrase

meets the definition of ready

"This user story meets the definition of ready and can be picked up by developers."

phrase

definition of ready criteria

"The definition of ready criteria require acceptance tests to be written first."

Often used with

meet the definition of readyUsed to indicate a work item satisfies all DoR criteria
satisfy the definition of readySimilar meaning; to fulfill or comply with DoR requirements
definition of ready checklistThe actual list of criteria used to evaluate readiness
definition of ready criteriaThe individual requirements that make up the DoR
establish a definition of readyTo create or agree upon DoR standards for a team

Similar words

acceptance criteriaDefines what the finished work should do; DoR is broader and includes preparedness before work starts
readiness checklistA general term for any list checking if something is ready; DoR is specifically for Agile work items
story readinessLess formal term for the same concept; often used informally in conversations

Opposites

definition of donework in progressunrefined backlog

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your product owner submitted a new feature idea, but the details are unclear. What do you say?

Complete the sentence

2. Before pulling stories into the sprint, we verify they _______ our definition of ready.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses definition of ready incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this using definition of ready: 'We need to check if the story has enough information before the developers start working on it.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "definition of ready" in a standup this week?

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