User‐stories - bytkie/Agiilised-tarkvaraarenduse-meetodikad GitHub Wiki

User Stories

User stories are short, simple descriptions of a feature or functionality written from the perspective of an end user or customer. They are a key artifact in Agile methodologies, helping teams understand user needs and prioritize work effectively.

Definition

A user story is typically written in the following format:

As a [role], I want [goal] so that [benefit].

This format ensures that the story focuses on who the user is, what they want to achieve, and why it is valuable.

Components of a User Story

  1. Role:

    • Who is the user?
    • Example: "As a customer..."

  2. Goal:

    • What does the user want to accomplish?
    • Example: "...I want to search for products..."

  3. Benefit:

    • Why is this functionality important to the user?
    • Example: "...so that I can find what I need quickly."

Example:

As a teacher, I want to assign homework online so that my students can access it anytime.

Advantages of User Stories

  • User-Centric: Keeps the focus on the user's needs and objectives.
  • Clear Communication: Provides a shared understanding for the team.
  • Flexibility: Easy to modify as requirements evolve.
  • Prioritization: Helps teams prioritize work based on user value.

Common Mistakes

  1. Too Vague: Not providing enough detail, making implementation unclear.
  2. Too Large: Trying to include too much in a single story (often called an "epic").
  3. Not User-Focused: Writing stories from a technical perspective rather than the user's.

Tips for Writing Effective User Stories

  1. INVEST Criteria:

    • Independent: The story should be self-contained.
    • Negotiable: It should be flexible and open to discussion.
    • Valuable: It must deliver value to the user.
    • Estimable: It should be small enough to estimate.
    • Small: It should be implementable within a short timeframe.
    • Testable: It must have clear criteria for acceptance.

  2. Collaborate:

    • Work with stakeholders to ensure the story meets their needs.

  3. Add Acceptance Criteria:

    • Define conditions that must be true for the story to be considered complete.
    • Example:
      • A teacher can upload assignments.
      • Students receive notifications when an assignment is uploaded.

Acceptance Criteria Example

User Story:

As a user, I want to reset my password so that I can regain access to my account.

Acceptance Criteria:

  1. User receives a password reset email upon request.
  2. The password reset link is valid for 24 hours.
  3. User can input a new password and confirm it.

Use Cases for User Stories

  • Software Development:
    • Defining features for apps, websites, or tools.
  • Product Design:
    • Capturing user needs during requirements gathering.
  • Process Improvement:
    • Identifying pain points in workflows and proposing solutions.

Resources for Learning