Ace the 2026 CSPO Challenge – Unleash Your Scrum Mastery!

The ultimate decision on whether a Product Backlog item is considered 'done' rests with the Developers. This is because the Developers are responsible for executing the work and achieving the acceptance criteria established for each backlog item. They have the technical expertise and knowledge of their own workflow capabilities, allowing them to assess whether they have met the necessary quality standards and completed the tasks as outlined.

The definition of 'done' typically includes various criteria, such as coding standards, testing requirements, and documentation. Since the Developers are the ones implementing the work, they are best positioned to determine if any backlog item meets these criteria. Their insights ensure that the item can be deemed complete and ready for potential release or further customer evaluation.

While the Product Owner has a crucial role in defining priorities and business value, it is the Developers' responsibility to ensure that the work meets the agreed-upon standards and is functionally complete. This distinction reinforces the collaborative and self-managing nature of a Scrum team, emphasizing that the technical quality and completeness of the work are within the Developers' control.