In agile ways-of-working, user stories serve as a vital communication tool between product owners and development teams. User stories provide a clear understanding of the users' needs and the outcomes that the user story needs to yield. User stories serve as a valuable guide in the development process, ensuring that the team develops the product that the users need.
Writing valuable user stories is a crucial aspect of agile development, and everyone in the team should be able to write them. It helps ensure that the team focuses on the right features and functionalities that will bring value to the users. In agile, the team should be working closely to the customer to have this level of understanding of the user’s needs. In this article, we will discuss three models that can be used to write valuable user stories for agile teams.
What are User Stories?
User stories are short, simple descriptions of a feature or functionality from the perspective of the end-user. They are typically written in plain language in the form of a sentence that describes the action that the user needs to perform and the reason behind it. For example, "As a user, I want to be able to upload images to my profile so that I can customize my profile picture."
User stories are the smallest unit of value that a team typically produce. They should fit into the defined iteration period of the team, be refined or elaborated upon, and also estimated in story points by the agile team.
Why are User Stories Important?
User stories convey what it is the team needs to accomplish. User stories can be described as building blocks in agile requirements. They also help the team to understand the objectives of the project and the expectations of the users. They provide a common language for both parties to understand the needs and expectations of the users.
How to Write Valuable User Stories?
Writing valuable user stories requires a thorough understanding of the users' needs and the objectives of the product or service. It also requires a clear understanding of the agile development process and the different models that can be used to write user stories.
INVEST Model
The INVEST model is a set of criteria used to evaluate user stories. It stands for Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable. Each criterion serves as a guide to ensure that the user stories are valuable and effective.
Independent - User stories should be independent of each other. They should be able to be implemented in any order without affecting the other stories.
Negotiable - User stories should be negotiable. They should be able to change and adapt as the development progresses.
Valuable - User stories should bring value to the users. They should focus on the features and functionalities that are essential to the users.
Estimable - User stories should be estimable. Agile teams might use story points to estimate the work at hand.
Small - User stories should be small enough to be completed within a single iteration.
Testable - User stories should be testable. They should have clear acceptance criteria that can be used to test the story.
SMART Model
The SMART model is another model that can be used to write valuable user stories. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable Relevant, and Time-bound. The SMART model is typically known as a framework to construct goals and objectives.
Specific - User stories should be specific. They should focus on a particular feature or functionality.
Measurable - User stories should be measurable. They should have clear acceptance criteria that can be used to measure the success of the story.
Achievable - User stories should be achievable. They should be realistic and achievable within the agreed timeframe.
Relevant - User stories should be relevant. They should focus on the needs or wants of users.
Time-bound - User stories should be time-bound. They should have a clear timeframe for completion. Best practices guide teams to complete user stories within an iteration.
3C Model
The 3C model (originated by Jeff Patton) is another model that can be used to write valuable user stories. It stands for Card, Conversation, and Confirmation. Each criterion helps to ensure that the user stories are clear, collaborative, and testable.
Card - User stories should be written on a card that contains a short description of the feature or functionality. The card should be visible to everyone on the team.
Conversation - User stories should be discussed in a conversation between the product owner and the development team. The conversation should focus on the user's needs, the objectives of the project, and the feasibility of the story.
Confirmation - User stories should be confirmed with acceptance criteria that can be used to test the story. The acceptance criteria should be clear and measurable.
Tips for Writing Valuable User Stories
Start with the user's needs - User stories should focus on the user's needs and the objectives of the project.
Use simple language - User stories should be written in simple language that is easy to understand by everyone on the team.
Collaborate with the team - User stories should be discussed with the development team to ensure that they are feasible and achievable.
Prioritize the stories - User stories should be prioritized based on their importance and their impact on the users.
Use acceptance criteria - User stories should have clear acceptance criteria that can be used to test the story.
Conclusion
User stories serve as a valuable guide in the agile development process. They provide a clear understanding of the users' needs and the objectives of the initiative. Writing valuable user stories requires a thorough understanding of the users' needs and the different models that can be used to write user stories.
The INVEST, SMART, and 3C models are just some of the models that can be used to write valuable user stories. These models provide a set of criteria that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the user stories.
In conclusion, writing valuable user stories requires collaboration, communication, and a clear understanding of the users' needs. By using the different models and following the tips outlined in this article, agile teams can write user stories that bring value to the users and help the team to deliver a successful initiative.