The Definition of Ready (DoR) is a central concept in agile working. It describes a series of criteria that a work item—for example, a user story, a feature, or an epic—must fulfill before it can be taken on by a team for implementation. The aim is to ensure that requirements are clear, understandable, and feasible. Only then can the team deliver reliably without getting bogged down in unnecessary discussions, blockages, or misguided developments.
Why is the Definition of Ready important?
In agile frameworks such as Scrum, SAFe, or LeSS, transparency is a key success factor. The DoR creates a common understanding between the product owner, business, and development team. If a requirement meets the DoR criteria, it is considered "ready to go."
In practical terms, this means that a team does not take on half-baked work packages. There are clear acceptance criteria, dependencies are known, and the item is prioritized. This ensures that the sprint or program increment starts with maximum clarity.
Typical misunderstandings
In practice, the DoR is often misunderstood or misused:
• Too much bureaucracy: Some teams turn the DoR into an overloaded checklist with 15+ points. This is more of a hindrance than a help.
• Substitute for communication: The DoR does not replace a common understanding in backlog refinement. It is a supplement, not a substitute.
• One-size-fits-all solution: There is no universal DoR. Each team must develop it in its own context and review it regularly.
Benefits for organizations
An effective DoR improves predictability and flow:
• Better predictability, because teams only take on work that is ready to start.
• Higher quality because dependencies and risks are addressed early on.
• Less waste because rework and unplanned discussions during the sprint are avoided.
Especially in scaled environments such as SAFe with multiple teams and Agile Release Trains, the DoR is crucial for ensuring synchronization. Without a common DoR, coordination suffers, resulting in high work-in-progress inventories and delays.
Real-world example
At an automotive supplier, I saw how the introduction of a simple DoR made all the difference: instead of unclear stories with vague wording, the team used a short list of five criteria (including clear acceptance criteria, estimated effort, no open dependencies). The result: the sprint delivery rate rose from 60% to over 85% within two months. The effect: more trust in the team, fewer surprises, more stable flow.
CALADE perspective
At CALADE, we see the Definition of Ready not as a formality, but as an enabler for sustainable flow. Our projects are not about creating hurdles, but about empowering teams to plan realistically and deliver with clarity. For us, a DoR is a tool for giving teams responsibility, creating orientation, and reducing waste—especially in complex transformations.
Related terms
• Definition of Done (DoD)
• Backlog refinement
• Acceptance Criteria
• Inspect & Adapt (I&A)
• Flow Efficiency