What is the difference between definition of value and definition of done?

Definition of value answers why you are building something and what outcome matters. Definition of done answers when a task or feature is complete and meets quality standards. DoV is about impact; DoD is about completion checklist.

Who is responsible for creating the definition of value?

Typically product managers or business stakeholders lead, but engineering and design should contribute. It must be a team effort so everyone understands and agrees on what value looks like.

How do you measure if the definition of value is met?

You establish concrete metrics aligned with the definition—such as user retention, response time, error rates, or revenue. These metrics become your way to verify that the work delivered actual value.

When should you create a definition of value?

Early in project planning, before sprint planning or development begins. Revisit it each quarter or when priorities shift to ensure alignment with current business goals.

definition of value meaning in tech

Commonness	4/5
Versatility	4/5
Formality	CasualFormalFormal
Spoken ↔ Written	SpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ Diplomatic	DirectDiplomaticDirect
Region	US and UK

Say it like this

✓We need to align on the definition of value before proceeding

✓The definition of value helps us prioritize the backlog

✓If we do not have a clear definition of value, we will waste effort

Real examples

in a product planning meeting

"Our definition of value for this quarter is reducing API response time by 40 percent, not adding new endpoints."

in a sprint kickoff

"The definition of value for the authentication module is increasing user login success rate, so every feature should support that goal."

in a stakeholder review

"We should revisit our definition of value because user retention matters more than feature count right now."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Often confused with 'definition of done' or 'value proposition'. DoV specifically clarifies what makes work valuable to the business or user, not when it is complete.

✕We finished the definition of value on time.

✓We established the definition of value before starting development.— Definition of value is not a deliverable you finish; it is a framework you create and use to guide work.

✕The definition of value is the same as the definition of done.

✓Definition of value is about business impact; definition of done is about completion criteria.— These are separate concepts. DoV answers why; DoD answers when something is finished.

✕We defined value for the whole product last year.

✓We revisit and refine our definition of value each quarter as priorities shift.— Business and user needs change; your definition of value should evolve with them.

Other forms

phrase

definition of value

"The definition of value guides our backlog prioritization."

noun

definition of value (singular/uncountable)

"A clear definition of value reduces scope creep."

Often used with

establish the definition of valueCreate or set the definition of value at the start of a project or quarter

align on the definition of valueGet agreement from all stakeholders on what counts as valuable work

revisit the definition of valueReview and update it periodically as business needs change

clear definition of valueOne that everyone understands and can measure against

definition of value for [feature/project]Specify which work or initiative the definition applies to

Similar words

value statementMore general; can refer to company values or benefit statements

success criteriaSlightly narrower; focuses on measurable outcomes rather than overall value philosophy

business objectiveBroader; may include timelines and resource constraints alongside value

Opposites

wastedistractionscope creep

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Complete the sentence

1. Before sprint planning, product and engineering must _______ on the definition of value.

Spot the mistake

2. Which sentence uses definition of value incorrectly?

We established the definition of value before writing code.The definition of value for this project is 30 percent faster load times.We finished the definition of value last week.Our definition of value shifted when we heard customer feedback.

Pick the most natural phrasing

3. You are in a meeting about a new feature. Which sounds most professional?

What is the definition of value here?Why are we even making this thing?Do we know what value this adds?This is not valuable, right?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this in natural tech English: 'We need to decide what this feature is supposed to achieve for the business before we start building it.'

Questions

Quick poll

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

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