Definition of done

A shared, explicit checklist of what must be true for a deliverable or task to count as complete - removing ambiguity over 'finished'.

For example, 'done' for a blog post means written, edited, SEO-checked, approved and scheduled - not just drafted. With the criteria agreed up front, nobody argues later about whether the work is actually finished.

Why it matters to your firm: a clear definition of done is what makes acceptance, sign-off and payment clean rather than contested. Without it, 'finished' is subjective, revisions multiply, and scope quietly creeps - which is why agreeing it up front protects both quality and margin.