Definition of Done Template
A shared checklist every backlog item must meet before it counts as done, grouped by code, testing, documentation and release.
Template preview
| Category | Criterion | Applies to | Checked by | Done? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code | Code reviewed and approved by at least one other developer | All items | Reviewer | ☐ |
| Code | Merged to the main branch with no failing checks | All items | Developer | ☐ |
| Code | No new critical or high static-analysis warnings | All items | Developer | ☐ |
| Testing | Unit tests written or updated and passing | Stories, bugs | Developer | ☐ |
| Testing | Acceptance criteria verified in the test environment | Stories | QA | ☐ |
| Testing | Regression tests pass | All items | QA | ☐ |
| Quality | Accessibility checked for new or changed screens | UI changes | QA | ☐ |
| Quality | Performance within agreed limits | Stories | Developer | ☐ |
| Docs | User-facing documentation or help article updated | Stories | Product owner | ☐ |
| Docs | Release notes entry added | Stories, bugs | Developer | ☐ |
| Release | Deployed to staging and smoke-tested | All items | QA | ☐ |
| Release | Product owner has accepted the item | Stories | Product owner | ☐ |
Example rows shown. The download includes extra blank rows ready for your team.
How to use this template
- Draft the list as a team. Run a short workshop with developers, QA and the product owner to agree the criteria.
- Keep it realistic. Only include what the team can actually do every sprint; aspirational items belong in a backlog.
- Make it visible. Pin the checklist next to your board so everyone sees it during the sprint.
- Use it at review. An item that fails any criterion is not done and goes back to the backlog.
- Revisit in retrospectives. Tighten the definition as the team's practices mature.
Tips
- The Definition of Done applies to every item; acceptance criteria are specific to one story.
- Pair it with a Definition of Ready so items entering a sprint are well understood.
- Taskmei Kanban boards can hold Definition of Ready and Done checklists per board.
Run it as a live board instead
Spreadsheets go out of date the moment the sprint starts. In Taskmei the same information lives on a live board: backlog items, sprints, risks and Definition of Done stay current and feed dashboards automatically. Use this template in Taskmei on the free plan.
Related resources
User Story Template with Acceptance Criteria
Free user story template in the As a / I want / So that format with acceptance criteria and story points.
OpenSprint Planning Template
Free sprint planning template with sprint goal, capacity and committed backlog items.
OpenAgile Risk Register and Delivery Governance
Govern delivery without slowing teams: a risk register with owners and mitigation, Definition of Ready and Done, full change history and closure evidence..
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