Learning Corner: What Does Done Look Like?

Estimated Time to Complete: 20 minutes

Objective:
To agree on what a finished piece of work looks like, so people can do their best work without guessing.

Materials Needed:

• A project or task you're about to assign

• The person who will do it

Activity Steps:

1. Describe the outcome (5 minutes)
Write one or two sentences about what this work should accomplish and who it's for.

2. Name the must-haves (5 minutes)
List three to five things the finished work must include. Keep it short.

3. Talk about quality (5 minutes)
Share an example of good work if you have one. Discuss how polished it needs to be. A first draft and a board-ready report need very different effort.

4. Confirm (5 minutes)
Ask the person to tell you, in their own words, what done looks like. Adjust until you match.

Key Takeaways:

• Clear expectations save time on both sides.

• Showing an example is worth many words.

• Having the person repeat it back catches gaps early.

Reflection Prompt:

Think about the last piece of work that needed a lot of rework. What was unclear at the start?

Want help bringing this to your team? Book a free 30-minute conversation with Tony.