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14.2.2 - I - Independent

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Understanding User Stories

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Teacher
Teacher

Welcome, class! Today, we'll explore the role of user stories in Agile projects. Can anyone tell me what a user story is?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn't it like a brief requirement that describes a feature?

Teacher
Teacher

That's correct! A user story is a short description of a feature from the end user's perspective. The typical format is: 'As a [type of user], I want [goal], so that [reason/benefit].' For example, can anyone provide an example of a user story?

Student 2
Student 2

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

Teacher
Teacher

Great example! This leads us to why user stories are critical: they help ensure the development team builds exactly what the business needs.

The INVEST Criteria

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's discuss how to ensure our user stories are effective by using the INVEST criteria. Who can tell me what INVEST stands for?

Student 3
Student 3

I think it’s Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Each of these criteria ensures that user stories are actionable and clear. Can anyone explain why a story needs to be 'Independent'?

Student 4
Student 4

If it’s independent, it can be developed without dependencies, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Independence minimizes delays in the development process. Let's recap: User stories must be valuable and testable. Remember the acronym INVEST, as it's an easy way to remember this framework.

Acceptance Criteria

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, we'll delve into acceptance criteria. What purpose do they serve in user stories?

Student 1
Student 1

They help define what 'done' looks like for a user story?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Acceptance criteria ensure clarity and shared understanding. Let's look at an example: what criteria could we set for a password reset feature?

Student 2
Student 2

We can say that the system sends a reset link to the user's email and that the link is valid for only 24 hours.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! This type of clarity is essential for testing and validation. Remember, well-defined acceptance criteria are key for successful user stories.

Using Gherkin Language

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Teacher
Teacher

Lastly, let’s explore the Gherkin language for writing acceptance criteria. Why might it be useful?

Student 3
Student 3

It makes the criteria readable and structured, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Gherkin employs a Given-When-Then format. Can anyone provide an example of this?

Student 4
Student 4

Sure! Given the user is on the login page, when the user clicks 'Forgot Password', then a reset link should be sent!

Teacher
Teacher

Great job! This syntax enhances communication among stakeholders and makes it easier to implement testing.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section explains the importance of user stories in Agile projects, detailing their structure, quality criteria, and the role of acceptance criteria.

Standard

User stories serve as crucial methods of documenting functional requirements in Agile methodologies. The section outlines the user story format, the INVEST criteria for quality stories, the significance of acceptance criteria, and how Gherkin language can assist in defining these criteria for better clarity and testability.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

In Agile projects, user stories are essential for communicating functional requirements. A user story provides a concise description of a software feature from the perspective of an end user, allowing for effective requirements gathering and understanding. The standard format for writing a user story is:

  • As a [type of user], I want [goal], so that [reason/benefit].

For instance, “As a job seeker, I want to upload my resume, so that I can apply for jobs quickly.”

To ensure these stories are actionable and effective, they should adhere to the INVEST criteria, which stands for:
- Independent: The story should be self-contained.
- Negotiable: It should facilitate conversation rather than act as a fixed contract.
- Valuable: The story must deliver value to the user.
- Estimable: It should allow for effort estimation.
- Small: The scope should permit completion in a short sprint.
- Testable: Clear acceptance criteria must define what “done” looks like.

Acceptance criteria clarify the conditions under which a user story is accepted as completed. They provide essential boundaries, ensuring that all stakeholders share an understanding of expectations. For example:
- A reset password link must be sent to the registered email.
- The link expires after 24 hours.
- Clicking the link leads the user to enter a new password.

Additionally, Gherkin language is crucial in defining acceptance criteria using a simple Given-When-Then syntax, enhancing clarity and readability for stakeholders. For example, in a password reset scenario:
- Given the user is on the login page
- When the user submits their registered email address
- Then a reset link should be sent to that email.

To craft effective user stories, collaboration with stakeholders, continuous testing readiness, and visual aids for UI impact are recommended.

Audio Book

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Understanding Independence in User Stories

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Independence: The story should be self-contained and deliverable without dependencies.

Detailed Explanation

Independence refers to the idea that a user story should not rely on other user stories or components to be completed or delivered. This means that the team can pick up and work on the story regardless of other tasks. If a story is independent, it can be implemented in a single iteration, simplifying planning and execution.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are preparing for a family dinner. If each dish you plan to serve can be made on its own without depending on the completion of other dishes, meal preparation becomes much more manageable. For example, you can have a salad ready before the pasta or dessert is done. This independence allows you to be flexible in your cooking time.

Benefits of Independence

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Benefits of Independence: Improves planning and execution in Agile processes.

Detailed Explanation

Having independent user stories leads to better planning because the development team can prioritize and complete stories in any order. This flexibility can reduce bottlenecks and allows for rapid responses to changes in business priorities. Teams are empowered to deliver features quickly without waiting for other stories to be finished.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a delivery service where each order can be dispatched without waiting for other orders to be completed. If one package can go out independently, it improves efficiency, just like independent user stories improve team velocity in delivering features.

Avoiding Dependencies

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Avoiding Dependencies: Strategies to ensure user stories remain independent.

Detailed Explanation

To ensure that user stories do not create dependencies, it's important to define them clearly and scope them appropriately. This can be achieved by breaking down larger stories into smaller, manageable stories that can stand alone. Additionally, collaboration among team members during story creation can help identify potential dependencies in advance.

Examples & Analogies

If you think of building a Lego set, each piece should be able to connect with others without waiting for a specific piece to be available. If you have all necessary pieces on hand, you can build sections without delay. Similarly, in Agile projects, independent stories allow teams to progress efficiently without being held back.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • User Story: A concise description of a software feature from the perspective of the end user.

  • INVEST Criteria: A framework for creating high-quality user stories, emphasizing independence, testability, and value.

  • Acceptance Criteria: Conditions that clarify when a user story is considered complete and tested.

  • Gherkin Language: A syntax used for writing acceptance tests in an easy to read and structured format.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Bad User Story: 'Create a login system.'

  • Good User Story: 'As a user, I want to log into the portal so that I can access my dashboard.'

  • Acceptance Criteria Example:

  • A reset password link is sent to the registered email.

  • The link expires after 24 hours.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • User stories must be neat, with details clear and concrete. They're a guide for what to build, so confusion cannot yield.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a baker needs to create a cake. Instead of a vague request, they say, 'As a birthday child, I want a three-layered chocolate cake so my friends can celebrate.'

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • To remember the INVEST criteria, think: I Need Very Easy Stories. I - Independent, N - Negotiable, V - Valuable, E - Estimable, S - Small, T - Testable.

🎯 Super Acronyms

INVEST

  • I: - Independent
  • N: - Negotiable
  • V: - Valuable
  • E: - Estimable
  • S: - Small
  • T: - Testable.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: User Story

    Definition:

    A short, simple description of a feature told from the perspective of the end user.

  • Term: INVEST Criteria

    Definition:

    A set of guidelines to ensure user stories are Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable.

  • Term: Acceptance Criteria

    Definition:

    Conditions that a user story must satisfy to be accepted as complete.

  • Term: Gherkin Language

    Definition:

    A structured language used in Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) to write acceptance tests in a Given-When-Then format.