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Difference between "DOD" and acceptance criteria

Last post 08:37 am October 23, 2017 by Sanjay Saini
4 replies
07:10 am September 12, 2017

Is there any difference between DOD and acceptance criteria?


08:03 am September 12, 2017

Acceptance criteria is a common practice, associated to Product Backlog items.

DOD refer to a potentially shippable increment.


10:27 am September 12, 2017

Scrum allows for multiple levels of "Done". Acceptance Criteria may represent one level, and are commonly applied with reference to User Stories.

The Definition of Done applies to the potentially releasable Increment and therefore incorporates all levels of Done.


05:43 pm September 13, 2017

Dear Ian,

There is no reference of Acceptance Criteria in Scrum Guide.

Also, wrt to Scrum Guide Page 16,

"When a Product Backlog item or an Increment is described as “Done”, everyone must understand what “Done” means. Although"

DOD is applicable for both, PBI and Increment.

Is my understanding correct?


08:37 am October 23, 2017

Yes, Scrum guide doesn't mention about Acceptance Criteria. It is an often used practice but not mandatory.

Done is applicable at PBI level, an Increment is nothing but a collection of PBIs


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