What does the definition of "Done" help to establish?

The definition of "Done" plays a crucial role in establishing a shared understanding of when work is considered complete within a Scrum Team. This common understanding ensures that all team members, stakeholders, and customers are aligned on the criteria that need to be met for a Product Increment to be deemed complete. It encompasses various elements such as functionality, quality, and testing criteria, which must be satisfied to provide a clear and consistent measure of completion.

Having a clear definition of "Done" eliminates ambiguity and fosters better communication among team members, as it sets clear expectations for what is necessary before a product increment can be delivered. This understanding helps maintain quality and enhances collaboration, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or incomplete work being presented as finished.

While measuring productivity, defining coding standards, or reviewing tasks are important aspects of the Scrum process, they are not the primary purpose of the definition of "Done." The emphasis is instead on creating a collective agreement that influences how the team approaches their work and ensures transparency about the state of their deliverables.