User stories not only serve the purpose of documenting customer value and explain requirements but are also an efficient collaboration tool between development teams and stakeholders. This article explores the essence of user stories, provides insights on writing effective ones, and delves into the INVEST model.
What is user story in agile development?:
A user story is a concise, customer-centric description of a software feature, expressing the desired functionality in a natural language format. The structure typically follows the following user story template
“As a [user type or persona]
When I [situation of the user or trying to do something]
I want [an action that user want to be carry]
so that [benefit/value].”
User story examples :
- As a online customer, when I am at the checkout screen, I want to be able to checkout by clicking a button so that I can pay and complete my transaction.
- As an online customer, when I have completed my payment, I want to be able to see a notification so that I am assured that my transaction has completed.
This format encourages a focus on the end-user, allowing for a more humanised and accessible approach to software development requirements.
User stories play a pivotal role in Agile methodologies, providing a dynamic and adaptive means of capturing, prioritizing, and implementing features. They serve as the bridge between technical teams and design team and business analysts, fostering effective communication and collaboration.
Read here : User story mapping and how to use it in Agile Development?
How to write a user story:
A user story normally follows this template.
1. Role (As a):
Start by identifying the user or stakeholder who will benefit from the feature. Clearly define the user type to provide context and perspective.
2. Action (I want):
Express the desired action or functionality that the user is seeking. Be concise and specific to avoid ambiguity.
3. Benefit (So that):
Highlight the value or benefit the user gains from the requested functionality. This ensures a clear understanding of the purpose behind the feature.
4. Acceptance Criteria:
Define specific conditions that must be met for the story to be considered complete. Acceptance criteria serve as the yardstick for validating the implementation.
5. Priority:
Assign a priority level to the user story to communicate its importance within the product backlog. Prioritisation is crucial for effective sprint planning.
The INVEST Model for User Stories:
The INVEST model, coined by Bill Wake, outlines six essential characteristics that user stories should possess to enhance the effectiveness of Agile development.
Origin of INVEST model : https://www.agilealliance.org/glossary/invest/
1. Independent:
User stories should be independent, meaning they can be developed and delivered in any order without dependencies on other stories. Independence reduces constraints, allowing for more flexible planning and execution.
2. Negotiable:
User stories should be open to negotiation and discussion. This flexibility allows for adjustments and refinements throughout the development process, promoting collaboration between the development team and stakeholders.
3. Valuable:
Each user story should deliver tangible value to the end-user or customer. Prioritizing features that contribute directly to the overall value of the product ensures the team focuses on high-impact functionalities.
4. Estimable:
User stories should be clear and well-defined to enable the team to estimate the effort required for implementation accurately. This characteristic is crucial for effective sprint planning and resource allocation.
5. Small:
User stories should be small enough to be completed within a single iteration (sprint). Breaking down stories into smaller tasks enhances manageability, simplifies estimation, and facilitates faster delivery.
6. Testable:
User stories should have clear acceptance criteria, making it easy to test and validate the completed functionality. Testability ensures a shared understanding of the desired outcome and facilitates the quality assurance process.
Applying the INVEST model ensures that user stories are well-structured, manageable, and aligned with Agile principles, ultimately contributing to the success of product teams.
