Say it like this
- Does this story meet our definition of ready?
- We can't start development until it passes the definition of ready
- The definition of ready includes acceptance criteria and wireframes
Use it at work
Refinement
- This ticket doesn't meet the definition of ready. There are no designs.
- Let's not pull it in until it meets our definition of ready.
Setting up
- Our definition of ready: clear criteria, designs, and an estimate.
- Can we add "dependencies known" to the definition of ready?
Planning
- Only tickets that are ready can go into the sprint.
- Is this ready, or does it still need product input?
Don't say this
DoR is a checklist or criteria, not something you complete; you verify that work meets it.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| definition of ready | When a story can start | Agile team | Before sprint planning |
| definition of done | When a story is finished | Agile team | End of the work |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your product owner submitted a new feature idea, but the details are unclear. What do you say?
2. Before pulling stories into the sprint, we verify they _______ our definition of ready.
3. Which sentence uses definition of ready incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this using definition of ready: 'We need to check if the story has enough information before the developers start working on it.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Does this story meet our definition of ready?"
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More about definition of ready
Real examples(3)
- in a backlog refinement meeting
"Before we move this ticket into the next sprint, let's check it against our definition of ready."
- in a standup
"This feature didn't 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."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Often confused with definition of done; DoR applies before work starts, DoD applies after it is completed.
- ✕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(3)
- definition of ready noun
"Our team created a definition of ready that all stories must satisfy."
- meets the definition of ready phrase
"This user story meets the definition of ready and can be picked up by developers."
- definition of ready criteria phrase
"The definition of ready criteria require acceptance tests to be written first."
Often used with(5)
- meet the definition of ready · Used to indicate a work item satisfies all DoR criteria
- satisfy the definition of ready · Similar meaning; to fulfill or comply with DoR requirements
- definition of ready checklist · The actual list of criteria used to evaluate readiness
- definition of ready criteria · The individual requirements that make up the DoR
- establish a definition of ready · To create or agree upon DoR standards for a team
Similar words(3)
- acceptance criteria · Defines what the finished work should do; DoR is broader and includes preparedness before work starts
- readiness checklist · A general term for any list checking if something is ready; DoR is specifically for Agile work items
- story readiness · Less formal term for the same concept; often used informally in conversations
Opposites(3)
- definition of done
- work in progress
- unrefined backlog
Questions(4)
- What is the difference between definition of ready and definition of done?
- Definition of Ready (DoR) is a checklist applied before work begins to ensure the story is clear and ready for development. Definition of Done (DoD) is applied after work is completed to confirm it meets quality standards. DoR is entry criteria; DoD is exit criteria.
- What should be included in a definition of ready?
- Common items include: clear user story with business value, acceptance criteria written, technical requirements understood, design assets or wireframes available, dependencies identified, and product owner available for questions. Teams customize their DoR based on their needs.
- How is definition of ready used in a sprint?
- During backlog refinement or sprint planning, the team reviews upcoming stories and verifies they meet the definition of ready before committing to them in the sprint. Stories that do not meet DoR are sent back to the product owner for clarification.
- Is definition of ready only for Agile teams?
- While it is most common in Agile and Scrum teams, the concept of establishing readiness criteria before starting work can be applied to any development process.
