Can Teams Show Work That Isn’t Done to Stakeholders?
Yes, Scrum Teams can seek stakeholder input before work is complete, as frequent feedback is a hallmark of Scrum. The key is to explicitly state that the DoD has not been met, ensuring clear expectations.
Metaphor
Showing unfinished work to stakeholders is like handing them a spoonful of cookie dough. They can get a sense of the flavor, but it’s not baked, and overeating carries its own risks.
In Scrum, the same is true: you can share not-Done work for early feedback, as long as you’re clear it isn’t ready for release.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking: (1)
1.
Definition of Done [Internet]. [cited 2025 Sep 6]. Available from: https://www.scrum.org/learning-series/definition-done/