𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀.

𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

A startup built a feature for 3 months.

Perfect UI. Clean code. Advanced functionality.

Launch day…

👉 No one used it.

Why?

Because it solved a problem 👉 users never had.

Bad user stories come from: • Assumptions • Ego • Lack of empathy

Teams write: 👉 “What we want to build” Instead of: 👉 “What users actually need”

When creating a user story, the goal is to describe a feature or functionality from the end-user’s perspective, in a way that guides development and ensures value. A well-crafted user story is clear, concise, and actionable.

Key Considerations When Creating a User Story

1. Use the Standard Format

As a [type of user], I want [some goal] so that [some reason].

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

2. Clearly Define the User

• Who is the story for? • Use real personas if available. • Be specific: “Admin”, “First-time shopper”, “Premium subscriber”

3. Focus on Value

• What value or benefit does this story bring to the user? • Avoid just listing features; tie them to business goals or user needs.

4. Keep it Concise and Simple

• One story should cover one small, meaningful piece of functionality. • Avoid combining multiple features in a single story.

5. Acceptance Criteria (Definition of Done)

• Include clear conditions that must be met for the story to be considered complete. • Use Gherkin-style format if helpful: Given [some context] When [some action] Then [some outcome]

6. Make it Testable

• A story should be verifiable by QA or a product owner. • If you can’t test it, rewrite it or break it down.

7. Collaborative Creation

• Involve the entire team: product owner, developers, QA, UX designers. • User stories are conversation starters, not just documentation.

8. Sized Appropriately

• A user story should be small enough to complete within one sprint. • If it’s too big, split it into smaller stories (vertical slicing, not task-level breakdown).

9. Prioritized

• Ensure the story is aligned with the product roadmap or sprint goals. • Higher-value stories should be prioritized.

10. Avoid Technical Jargon

• Use plain language focused on the user, not internal systems or APIs.

Example: ❌ "Implement OAuth2 token refresh" ✅ "As a logged-in user, I want to stay signed in so I don’t have to re-enter my credentials every time."

11. Include Supporting Info (if needed)

• Mockups, wireframes, user flow diagrams • Links to related documentation or data • User feedback or research insights

12. INVEST Criteria

A good user story should be: • Independent • Negotiable • Valuable • Estimable • Small • Testable

Write stories with empathy — put yourself in the shoes of the user. The better you understand their pain points, the more valuable your story will be.

💡 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬:

1. Empathy First Understand: • Pain • Frustration • Context

2. Outcome Thinking Users don’t want features. They want results.

3. Clarity Over Complexity Simple stories = better execution

4. Testable Thinking If you can’t test it, it’s not clear.

❌ “Add dashboard feature” ✅ “As a user, I want to see my progress so I feel in control”

Users don’t care about your features. They care about their problems.