Agile Mindset and User Stories

Key Elements of Agile

• User-Centered Approach: Focus shifts from just coding/designing to delivering value to end users.
• User Stories: Central to Agile, using non-technical language to convey value and context.
  • Drives collaboration and creativity.
  • Helps team understand the purpose and value of their work.

Understanding User Stories

What is a User Story?

• Definition: Smallest piece of work representing value to an end user.
• Components:
  • Title: Follows formula "As [role], I want [objective] so that I can [motivation]."
  • Description: Provides context, user journey, use cases, etc.
  • Acceptance Criteria: Set conditions to validate completion of the story.

Example of User Story

• Title Example: "As an Uber passenger, I want to see several available drivers in my area so that I can choose the closest one to me."
• Acceptance Criteria:
  • App shows drivers within 4km radius.
  • Maximum 10 drivers shown.
  • Drivers' profiles (picture, rating) can be viewed.

Benefits of User Stories

• Incremental Development: Break down projects for sprints/iterations.
• Agile Framework Compatibility: Useful in Scrum and Kanban.
• Focus: Keeps attention on user and business value.
• Collaboration: Defines end goals, encouraging teamwork.
• Creativity: Promotes critical and creative thinking for solutions.
• Manageability: Handles small, estimatable tasks.
• Motivation: Sense of accomplishment with each completed story.

Writing Effective User Stories

Structure

• Template: "As [user], I want [action] so that I can [value]."
• Empathy: Understand user persona and needs.
• Functionality Definition: Define expected functionalities for each user.

Rules

• One action per story.
• Focus on intention, not features.
• Ensure each story contributes to product goals.

INVEST Criteria for User Stories

• Independent: Can be developed in any sequence.
• Negotiable: Allows for discussion and adaptation.
• Valuable: Adds value to the product.
• Estimatable: Can be relatively sized (e.g., story points).
• Small: Fits within one sprint.
• Testable: Can be validated upon completion.

Responsibility and Timing

• Who Writes User Stories?

  • Product owner ensures backlog, but anyone can contribute.
  • Product owner confirms alignment with INVEST and prioritizes.

• When to Write User Stories?

  • Throughout product lifecycle.
  • Initial workshop to create product backlog.
  • New stories can be added anytime.

Conclusion

• Writing user stories is essential for agile projects, requiring time and skill.
• User stories should meet INVEST criteria to be effective.