Definition of Ready
A team agreement that defines the minimum criteria a backlog item must meet before it can be pulled into a Sprint. The Definition of Ready prevents teams from starting work on stories that are too vague, too large, or missing critical information — the leading cause of mid-Sprint blockages.
How to run it
- 1
Gather the full Scrum team (Product Owner, developers, Scrum Master).
- 2
Brainstorm: 'What would need to be true about a story before we'd be comfortable starting it?' Capture everything on sticky notes.
- 3
Cluster and vote on the criteria that matter most. Common ones: clear acceptance criteria, estimated, no unresolved dependencies, small enough to complete in one Sprint, approved by Product Owner.
- 4
Agree on the final list — typically 5-8 criteria. Write it up visibly.
- 5
Test it immediately against 3-5 backlog items. Does it feel right? Adjust if needed.
- 6
Review the DoR quarterly — it should evolve as the team matures.
Tips
Keep the DoR short enough to be remembered — 5-8 criteria max.
The DoR is a team agreement, not a gatekeeping tool. Use it to help, not block.
Don't confuse DoR with Definition of Done — DoR is for entry, DoD is for exit.
If stories regularly fail the DoR, fix the refinement process, not the DoR.
Variations
Digital teams often embed the DoR as a checklist directly in their issue tracker (Jira, Linear, GitHub). Stories can't leave 'Backlog' status without all boxes checked.
Where it fits
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Definition of Ready?▾
Use Definition of Ready when you want to: Sprint preparation; Scrum teams; Quality improvement; Reducing mid-Sprint blockers.
How long does Definition of Ready take?▾
Definition of Ready typically takes 30–60 minutes.
How many participants does Definition of Ready work for?▾
Definition of Ready works best for groups of 3–9 participants.
What materials do I need for Definition of Ready?▾
To run Definition of Ready you will need: Whiteboard or shared doc, Sticky notes.
How difficult is Definition of Ready to facilitate?▾
FacilitationMethods.faqA5Easy
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