Definition of Ready
Quality criteria for sprint-ready backlog items.
PURPOSE
Agile teams waste valuable sprint time when backlog items are taken into the sprint without sufficient preparation. The Definition of Ready ensures that every item meets all necessary prerequisites before sprint planning. It prevents rework, blockers, and unclear requirements during the sprint.
HOW TO USE
The team collaboratively develops a checklist of quality criteria that a backlog item must meet before it can be taken into a sprint. Typical criteria include: acceptance criteria defined, dependencies clarified, story estimated, and approved by the Product Owner. During sprint planning, each proposed item is checked against these criteria.
WHAT IT IS
The Definition of Ready is a quality standard from agile project management that defines the minimum requirements for a sprint-ready backlog item. It is the counterpart to the Definition of Done and focuses on the input rather than the output of the development process. The criteria are defined by the Scrum team itself and can evolve over time.
EXAMPLE
Example: Your Scrum team regularly takes user stories into the sprint that are still poorly defined — acceptance criteria are missing, technical dependencies are unresolved. With the Definition of Ready, you agree: every story needs at least acceptance criteria, a UI mockup, and technical clarification. Only when all points are met can the story enter the sprint.