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Definition of Done vs. Acceptance Criteria: Clearing the Confusion in Agile

Agile teams are often confused between Acceptance Criteria (AC) and Definition of Done (DoD), if you are one of them, you are at the right place.

What is the Definition of Done (DoD)?

  • Definition: A shared team-level checklist ensuring work is fully completed and ready for release.
  • Ensures consistency, quality, and alignment across the team.
  • Applies to all user stories, features, and increments.
  • Example of a DoD checklist:
    • Code is written and peer-reviewed.
    • Unit and integration tests are passed.
    • Security checks are completed.
    • Documentation is updated.

What are Acceptance Criteria (AC)?

  • Definition: Story-specific conditions that must be met for a user story to be considered successful.
  • Written from a business or user perspective.
  • Can vary between user stories.
  • Example of AC for a login feature:
    • The user must enter a valid email and password.
    • If incorrect credentials are entered, an error message should appear.
    • If correct, the user is redirected to the dashboard.

Key Differences Between DoD and AC

    Feature                     DOD                                                AC   


   Scope       Applies to all user storiesSpecific to an individual user story
   Focus      Quality and completenessFunctional correctness
   Owner      Development teamProduct Owner & Stakeholders
   Purpose      Ensures uniformity across all                      workDefines when a user story meets expectations
   Example                           Code review, testing, securityBusiness rules, UI/UX behavior

Common Misconceptions

  • “If AC is met, the story is Done.” (Wrong—AC ensures functionality, but DoD ensures completeness.)
  • “DoD is just a detailed AC.” (Wrong—AC varies per story, while DoD is consistent.)

Why Both Are Essential for Agile Success

  • DoD ensures high-quality increments across sprints.
  • AC ensures that business and user needs are met.
  • Missing either leads to technical debt, rework, and poor user experience.

Conclusion

  • Clear communication between teams about DoD vs. AC is crucial.
  • Encourage collaboration between Product Owners and Development Teams.
  • Implementing both effectively leads to better product quality and customer satisfaction.

👉 Have you faced confusion between DoD and AC in your Agile teams? Share your experience in the comments!

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