Definition of Done

A Definition of Done (DoD) is a clear description of what must be true for a task, deliverable or work session to count as finished. It removes ambiguity by turning "work on this" into a visible finish line.

This matters because vague tasks create friction. If "done" is unclear, your brain has to keep deciding what completion means, which makes starting and finishing harder than they should be.

A good Definition of Done is specific enough to guide action, but simple enough to read at a glance. For example: "Invoice is created with the default template, sent to the client and saved in folder X."

Use it for tasks that tend to linger, especially admin work, writing and project tasks with fuzzy edges. Clear "done" criteria reduce procrastination, improve focus and make progress easier to recognize.