User Stories
Guide 1
Get all the facts.
To create effective user stories, start by understanding the big picture. Dive into the project’s architecture or roadmap to grasp its structure, objectives, and interdependencies, knowing these may change. Ask yourself: What is the product? Who will use it? Who is the customer? What problem does it solve? What is the timeline? What value does it bring to users? What makes it unique? The answers to these questions will shape your stories.
Guide 2
Create access.
User stories should be understandable to both developers and non-technical stakeholders. Use plain language to describe the user, their needs, the value delivered, their goals, and the acceptance criteria. This clarity ensures developers know what to build, and non-technical team members understand what to expect.
Guide 3
Scope each story appropriately.
User stories should be small enough to be completed within a single sprint. Ensure each story is feasible within the sprint timeframe and fits within the client’s needs and budget.
Guide 4
Write the user story by way of a value statement.
Flesh out the user story by explaining who the user is, what they want to accomplish, and why: "As a [type of user], I want [action], so that [outcome]." Expand on this statement with subtasks to detail what needs to be done.
Guide 5
Define finished.
Acceptance criteria define how the value of a user story will be verified. These criteria ensure each story is complete and functional. Run the criteria by several stakeholders to ensure alignment.
Guide 6
Make user story writing a collaborative effort.
Acceptance criteria define how the value of a user story will be verified. These criteria ensure each story is complete and functional. Run the criteria by several stakeholders to ensure alignment.
Guide 7
Don’t be afraid of change.
Embrace change when a story isn’t valuable or needs revision due to high-level changes. It’s okay to discard non-viable stories or revise them to fit new circumstances. Adjustments are part of the process.