user stories best practices

“You need to write user stories, but how do you ensure they’re clear, concise, and actually useful?” I asked myself this very question when I started my journey in software development. After years of writing and reviewing user stories, I've gathered some valuable insights that I'm eager to share with you.buck

The Hook: A Troublesome User Story

Let me start by sharing a classic trap that many of us have fallen into at one point or another. Once upon a time, in a team far, far away, we wrote a user story like this:

As a user, I want to be able to sign up for an account so that I can access the premium content on the website.

On the surface, this story seems innocent enough. However, it hides a multitude of sins. Let's dive deeper into the problems and how we can fix them.

The Problem: Vague and Misleading

The first issue with this user story is that it's vague. What does "access the premium content" mean? Is it a specific set of articles, a section of the website, or something else? The story doesn't clarify.

Secondly, it's misleading. The story focuses on the user signing up, but what about the registration process? What happens before and after the sign-up? We're not told.

The Solution: Break It Down and Get Specific

To fix these issues, let's break the user story down into smaller, more specific components. Here's a revised version:

As a user, I want to sign up for an account with a valid email address and password so that I can receive a confirmation email and proceed to the login page.

This revised story is clearer and more concise. It addresses the registration process, specifies the required input, and outlines the subsequent steps.

Best Practices for Writing User Stories

Here are some best practices to help you write effective user stories:

• Start with a clear and concise title that sums up the main purpose of the story.

• Use the "As a [role], I want [goal] so that [reason]" template.

• Be specific about the user's goal and the steps required to achieve it.

• Address pre- and post-conditions, as well as any constraints.

• Write user stories from the user's perspective, focusing on their needs and desires.

Putting It All Together

Let's take another look at the original user story and apply these best practices:

As a user, I want to provide my email address and password during the registration process so that I can receive a confirmation email and proceed to the login page.

This revised story incorporates the best practices, making it clear, specific, and user-centric. It addresses the registration process, including the pre- and post-conditions, and focuses on the user's goal.

Conclusion

Writing effective user stories is an essential skill for software developers. By following these best practices and avoiding common traps, you can ensure that your user stories contribute to efficient development and ultimately deliver a better product.