When is the best time to inspect the Definition of Done?

The best time to inspect the Definition of Done is during the Sprint Retrospective. This event provides the Scrum Team an opportunity to reflect on their processes and work practices. In this environment of continuous improvement, the team can assess whether their Definition of Done is adequate, aligned with their current work, and serving its intended purpose effectively.

During the Sprint Retrospective, the team discusses what went well, what didn’t, and what could be improved. This reflective practice is crucial for ensuring that the criteria that define “done” for the increments of work are still relevant or need adjustments based on recent experiences or changes in the team's workflow, technological advancements, or stakeholder feedback.

While the other events in the Scrum framework serve important purposes, they are not as focused on the improvement and adaptation of the Definition of Done. For instance, Sprint Planning is primarily about planning the work for the upcoming Sprint, the Sprint Review focuses on the increment and stakeholder feedback, and the Daily Scrum is a coordination meeting for team synchronization. Each of these events has a distinct objective and may not provide the same reflective and improvement-oriented context that the Sprint Retrospective does. Therefore, the appropriate setting to inspect and potentially refine the Definition of Done is within the Sprint Retrospective.