In many Scrum projects, the Definition of Done (DoD) is often taken for granted. Teams assume everyone has the same understanding.
But in reality, many teams only discover the gaps at the end of the Sprint:

• The Product Owner (PO) expects a specific outcome.
• The Development Team believes they have delivered exactly what was required.
• In the end, the increment doesn’t meet all expectations, leading to rework, delays, and even missed Sprint Goals.

So, what causes this gap? And how can teams prevent it from happening again?

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Root Causes and Impacts

The lack of a shared Definition of Done is rarely the fault of any individual. Common causes include:

• DoD exists only as a document but isn’t reinforced regularly.
• Acceptance criteria are vague, leaving too much room for interpretation.
• Scrum roles treat DoD as a formality rather than a real quality commitment.

Real-world impacts:

• Sprint Goals go off track.
• Time is wasted on fixes and rework.
• Product quality suffers, along with team morale.

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Key Principles to Improve DoD

An effective Definition of Done isn’t just written down—it’s agreed upon, reinforced, and applied consistently.
Some general principles include:

• Clear alignment among PO, Developers, and QA from the very beginning of Sprint Planning.
• Transparency and specificity so the entire team can self-assess work without unnecessary debates.
• Regular reviews to keep the DoD relevant and prevent it from becoming outdated.

However, the best way to apply these principles varies depending on team maturity, company size, and work environment.
That’s why many organizations turn to Scrum Coaching—to gain a practical, tailored roadmap while avoiding unnecessary trial and error.

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The Role of Scrum Coaching

Teams working with a Scrum Coach often:

• Reduce rework time by 20–30%.
• Build a Definition of Done that truly reflects real-world needs.
• Increase transparency and product quality with every Sprint cycle.

At Sóng Scrum, we go beyond theory by:

• Training teams to create and apply a practical, effective DoD.
• Advising organizations on process improvements that fit their unique context.
• Helping teams achieve sustainable success, not just short-term fixes.

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Start Your Journey to More Effective Scrum

⚠️ Don’t let gaps in your Definition of Done slow down your team’s progress.
📅 Book a free consultation with Sóng Scrum today.
🤝 Discover how we can help your team work with greater clarity and efficiency in every Sprint.