The Pragmatic Power of a Definition of Ready (DOR)

In the world of software development, process frameworks can either be an enabler of efficiency or a bureaucratic nightmare. Too often, teams are burdened with excessive checklists, rigid gates, and theoretical best practices that don’t translate into delivering high-quality software efficiently. That’s where a pragmatic Definition of Ready (DOR) comes into play.

A well-defined, practical DOR is the secret weapon for empowering software development teams to deliver high-impact, well-tested software while maintaining velocity and adaptability. Let’s explore how a streamlined yet effective DOR cuts through the noise and focuses on what truly matters.

Why a Practical DOR Matters

A good DOR isn’t about dogma—it’s about setting the right preconditions for development to begin without unnecessary back-and-forth. It ensures that work items entering a sprint are clear, feasible, and actionable. The key benefits of a pragmatic DOR include:

• Improved Velocity – Removing blockers upfront means teams spend less time resolving ambiguities mid-sprint.
• Predictability – When stories are well-defined before development starts, stakeholders gain confidence in delivery timelines.
• Minimized Surprises – Proper dependency management prevents last-minute fire drills.
• Cross-Team Coordination – When multiple teams rely on shared services (e.g., APIs, data integrations), having clarity from the start avoids rework.

What a DOR Should Include (Without Overkill)

To keep things practical, a DOR should be flexible and right-sized for the team’s needs. Here’s a pragmatic take on what should be in place before a work item is accepted into a sprint:

1. Business Alignment – Is the priority clear? Has the Product Manager validated its importance?
2. Requirement Clarity – Do we know what needs to be built and why?
3. Feasibility Check – Have technical leads confirmed it’s achievable within the sprint timeframe?
4. Dependency Awareness – Are integrations, third-party services, or shared components accounted for?
5. Acceptance Criteria – Is there a clear definition of “done” to validate successful implementation?
6. Testing Readiness – Do we have test scenarios and data identified?
7. Estimation & Planning – Are role-level estimates (dev, QA, functional) documented?

Avoiding the Common Pitfalls

A DOR should enable development, not delay it. Common mistakes to avoid:

• Overcomplicating It – If it takes more effort to meet the DOR than to do the actual work, it’s broken.
• Rigid Adherence Over Common Sense – Not every work item needs the same level of scrutiny. P1 bugs, for example, shouldn’t be held hostage by excessive documentation.
• Ignoring Continuous Refinement – The DOR should evolve based on what works (and what doesn’t) in real-world execution.

The Takeaway

A pragmatic Definition of Ready isn’t about satisfying a process for process’s sake—it’s about ensuring development starts on the right foot. By balancing structure with flexibility, teams can maximize velocity, deliver quality software, and minimize unnecessary overhead.Remember: Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Don’t let process get in the way of common sense.