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User Story Writing

❓What is it

  • User story writing captures product requirements from the perspective of the end user that derives a valuable outcome from this requirement being delivered.
  • It must have a short meaningful title, value statement, and acceptance criteria, but may also have a description or other supporting business and technical insights that helps the team to estimate and deliver the requirements.
  • Apply INVEST principle to improve focus on value outcomes

👥Who

  • User story writing is undertaken primarily by someone acting in the role of product manager. During and post refinement other team members may contribute to the user story.

🛠 Running the technique

  • The user story title should reflect the valuable outcome, and not the intermediate steps. Try to use a single active verb and object. e.g. Display current personal details
  • The value statement should take the form of … AS A (describe the end user who has a need) I WANT TO (the action to take) SO THAT (the benefit/ valuable outcome achieved)
  • Write a description of what goods looks like when this user story is delivered, if this may help refinement with team members
  • Ensure the user story adheres to the INVEST principle: Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, Testable
  • Draft the acceptance criteria that needs to be satisfied. Please refer to the BDD technique guide for further detail.
  • Engage with relevant team members to refine and estimate.

📖Additional Material