What Does It Mean for a Work Item to Be “Ready”?
“Ready” means a work item has been refined enough to minimize ambiguity and any removable blockers have been addressed, allowing the team to start work with confidence.
“Ready” can be thought of as ready for work to start (or to be planned in a Sprint).
Metaphor
Picking a work item that’s not “ready” is like setting off on a road trip with only half your bags packed and no gas in the car. — You might eventually get moving, but you’ll waste time scrambling to gather what you need and fixing preventable issues. — Refining work until it’s “ready” ensures the team can hit the road confidently, focusing on the journey rather than emergency pit stops.
Works Consulted
- The Concept of Ready in Scrum | Scrum.org | Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Connections
follows:: Product Ownership