DoR stands for what concept in agile practice?

• A. Definition of Ready
• B. Definition of Release
• C. Declaration of Readiness
• D. Description of Requirements

Answer: (A)

Definition of Ready is the set of criteria a backlog item must meet before the team pulls it into a sprint. It ensures the work is clear, actionable, and can be started without ambiguity. Typical criteria include a well-defined goal or user story, enough detail and acceptance criteria, an estimated size, identified dependencies and blockers, and the ability to write test cases or demonstrate value. This readiness gate helps the team commit to the sprint goal and prevents mid-sprint surprises or scope creep.

It’s distinct from the Definition of Done, which applies after work is completed. In practice, teams check DoR during backlog refinement or just before sprint planning; items that don’t meet it are clarified, split into smaller pieces, or kept in the backlog until they’re ready.