段取り Dandori
A Team Coordination Framework for AI-Augmented Engineering
Dandori (段取り) is a Japanese word meaning "preparation" or "setup." In the Toyota Production System, dandori refers to the meticulous preparation work done before production begins. The principle is simple: the quality of output is determined by the quality of preparation, not by what happens on the production line.
In AI-augmented software development, Dandori carries the same meaning. When AI handles a growing share of code production, the human contribution that determines quality is no longer the act of writing code. It is the act of preparation: specifying precisely what needs to be built, deciding what matters and what does not, and validating that the output matches intent.
Dandori is the recognition that in AI-augmented software development, preparation is the work.
"Scrum optimized for production. Kanban optimized for flow. Dandori optimizes for preparation, because when AI handles production and flow is continuous, the quality of what you prepare determines everything."
Download
| Document | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Dandori Framework | The complete framework (all chapters) | |
| The Dandori Manifesto | Markdown ・ PDF | The values and 12 principles |
| Dandori at a Glance | Markdown ・ PDF | The entire framework on a single page |
Why Dandori
Scrum, as practiced in most organizations, has lost its meaning. Every company interprets it differently. Every team within the same company has different agreements. AI is simultaneously joining software teams as a participant, amplifying what the same team can deliver. These two truths demand a coordination model designed for the present reality.
What Dandori Provides
- A five-stage specification lifecycle: Intent, Specification, Execution, Validation, Integration
- Three defined roles: Spec Owner, Reviewer, Prioritizer
- A product management alignment model for the spec-driven interface
- A redefined engineering management function split into System Operator and Talent Architect
- Ceremonies that transform rather than eliminate Scrum's core practices
- Liberating Structures facilitation guidance for every ceremony
- Metrics designed for spec-driven flow rather than sprint velocity
Quick Start
Read the Executive Summary for a two-minute overview, then explore the three parts:
- Part I: Why Dandori -- The case for a new framework
- Part II: What Is Dandori -- The framework defined
- Part III: How Dandori Works -- Implementation and practice
License
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).
You are free to share and adapt this framework, even commercially, as long as you give appropriate credit and distribute any adaptations under the same license.
Contributing
Dandori is an open framework. Contributions, feedback, and real-world experience reports are welcome. See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.
Version 1.0 | March 2026