Are Acceptance Criteria and Definition of Done the Same?

Do “Acceptance Criteria” and “Definition of Done” sound familiar? As a Certified Scrum Master or a Certified Scrum Product Owner, it's essential to understand the nuances of various Agile Concepts! These two concepts often confuse Agile Practitioners even when they are different. They are closely linked and play distinct roles in ensuring the success of a project. Do you still need clarification? Let’s demystify the core purpose of “Acceptance Criteria” and “Definition of Done” and find out the differences in the Agile and Scrum context.

Acceptance Criteria: Defining What's Expected

Acceptance Criteria, often called AC, are a crucial component of User Stories in Agile and Scrum. These criteria outline the conditions a Product Backlog Item (PBI), or User Story, must meet to be considered complete. In simpler terms, they define what is expected from the development team to fulfill the requirements of a particular User Story.

For Agile beginners and those new to Scrum, it's vital to grasp the role of Acceptance Criteria. They act as a communication bridge between the Product Owner and the developers. When a Product Owner writes a User Story, it might be concise and open to interpretation. Acceptance Criteria, however, add clarity and specificity, leaving little room for miscommunication or misunderstanding.

A typical format for Acceptance Criteria includes:

1. Given [some context]

2. When [specific actions or events occur]

3. Then [the expected outcome]

For instance, a Product Owner creates a User Story for an e-commerce website, and it reads: "As a customer, I want to be able to view my order history." The Acceptance Criteria will look like:

1. Given that I am logged into my customer account

2. When I navigate to the 'Order History' page

3. Then, I should see a list of my previous orders with details like order date, order number, and total amount.

The Acceptance Criteria in this example provide precise instructions to the Developers about the functionality they need to deliver. It answers the question: What does it mean for this User Story to be 'implemented'? They help Agile Developers understand the Product Owner's expectations clearly, ensuring the User Story can be completed successfully.

Definition of Done: Ensuring Quality and Completeness

Now, let's focus on the Definition of Done (DoD). The Definition of Done is a set of criteria that a Product Backlog Item, or User Story, must meet to be considered complete and potentially releasable. It is an essential tool for maintaining the quality and completeness of the product increment.

The Definition of Done is not unique to a User Story but applies to all PBIs in a given product or a Sprint. It is a shared understanding within the Scrum Team about the level of quality and completeness expected from every piece of work that is completed during a Sprint.

The specific criteria in a Definition of Done can vary from one Scrum Team to another. It depends on the nature of the Agile project. It also considers the current coding standards and available documentation relevant to the project.

To provide a more concrete example, a Definition of Done for a software development project might include criteria like:

• The code is peer-reviewed.
• Unit tests are written and passed.
• Integration tests are performed and passed.
• User documentation is updated.
• All Acceptance Criteria are met.
• The Product Owner has reviewed and accepted the work.

The Definition of Done ensures that the work done by Agile Developers is not only functionally complete but also meets the necessary quality standards and aligns with the expectations of the Scrum Team. It is essential to deliver a valuable product increment at the end of each Sprint.

The Connection Between Acceptance Criteria and Definition of Done

Now that we've clarified the individual roles of Acceptance Criteria and the Definition of Done let's explore their interconnection. While they are distinct concepts, they are closely linked and improves the product quality.

Acceptance Criteria, as we've discussed, define the specific requirements for each User Story, ensuring that the Developers understand what needs to be implemented. The Definition of Done, however, sets the bar for quality and completeness across all User Stories. It ensures that no User Story is considered "done" unless it meets the shared criteria, which may include verifying that all Acceptance Criteria are fulfilled.

Additionally, Acceptance Criteria, whether implemented, can become a sub-check of the Definition of Done. They are the criteria unique to each User Story, specifying the conditions for that particular piece of work. When the Developers complete a User Story and fulfills all the Definition of Done as well, then essentially the Acceptance Criteria are met.

To visualize this relationship, consider the Definition of Done as the umbrella under which all Acceptance Criteria for various User Stories coexist. When a User Story meets the Definition of Done, it effectively aligns with the story level Acceptance Criteria.

Conclusion: Different but Complementary

In summary, while Acceptance Criteria and the Definition of Done differ, they are intricately connected and serve complementary roles within Product development. Acceptance Criteria provide the requirements for individual User Stories that the Developers are responsible for. On the other hand, the Definition of Done sets the standard for quality and completeness across all User Stories in a Sprint or a project.

Reference:

https://www.scrum.org/resources/definition-done-vs-acceptance-criteria