Write a ‘definition of done’ for a task
Works with ChatGPT · Claude · Copilot
Agree what 'finished' means before you start a task.
The problem
Work drags when 'done' is fuzzy, so it's reopened again and again.
What this skill does
AI drafts concrete, checkable done-criteria for the task.
When to use it
- Use at the start of any task that others will review.
Juni’s tip
Juni says: if you can't tick it off, it isn't a definition of done.
The prompt
Try it live
Fill in the blanks — your ready-to-use prompt builds as you type.
Weak vs. better
when is this done
Write a 'definition of done' for this task: [task]. Give 4-6 criteria phrased as checkable yes/no statements (e.g., 'reviewed by X', 'tested on Y'), not vague goals.
Why this works
Checkable yes/no criteria stop the endless 'is this finished?' back-and-forth.
Practice task
Pick a current task and write its done-criteria before doing more work.
Self-check
- Each criterion is a yes/no statement
- Review and quality checks are included
- All criteria together really mean 'finished'
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing goals instead of checkable criteria
- Forgetting the review or approval step
- Making criteria nobody can verify
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