The Bell Tolls: User Stories and Use Cases
Clear requirements and communication signals over the noise
In the realm of agile software development, user stories hold a unique and crucial role. They are not merely feature requests or technical specifications; they are promises – commitments to initiate conversations that shape the trajectory of a product.
The Founding Fathers of User Stories
The concept of user stories traces its roots back to some of the most influential figures in software development:
● Kent Beck: A pioneer of Extreme Programming (XP), Beck emphasized the importance of user stories as a means to drive customer-centric development. Please visit the link in the References below.
● Alistair Cockburn: In his book "Writing Effective Use Cases" and "Agile Software Development," Cockburn delves into the nuances of user stories, highlighting their role in fostering collaboration between developers and stakeholders. Please visit the link in the References below.
● Ward Cunningham: A co-creator of the wiki concept, Cunningham recognized the power of user stories in capturing the essence of user needs in a concise and accessible format. Please visit the link in the References below.
Ivar Jacobson and the Power of Use Case Specifications
While user stories serve as the starting point, they often require supplementary details to ensure a comprehensive understanding of user needs. This is where Ivar Jacobson's contributions come into play.
Jacobson, a key figure in the development of the Unified Modeling Language (UML), emphasized the importance of use case specifications. These specifications go beyond the basic "As a... I want... so that..." format of user stories, capturing the intricate details of user interactions with a system. Please visit the link in the References below
Use case specifications typically include:
● Actors: The individuals or systems that interact with the product.
● Preconditions: The conditions that must be met before an interaction can occur.
● Postconditions: The outcomes or results of an interaction.
● Alternative Flows: Deviations from the main course of an interaction.
● Branching Flows: Different paths an interaction can take based on user choices or system responses.
The Product Owner's Balancing Act
The product owner plays a pivotal role in this process. They must strike a delicate balance between capturing the user's voice through stories and ensuring that developers have the necessary details to build a product that truly meets customer needs.
This often involves:
● Refining User Stories: Collaborating with stakeholders to flesh out the details of user stories, making them more specific and actionable.
● Creating Use Case Specifications: Working with developers to create detailed specifications that guide the development process.
● Prioritizing Features: Determining which features are most important to users and focusing development efforts accordingly.
The Promise of Collaboration
Ultimately, the power of user stories lies in their ability to spark conversations that bridge the gap between developers and stakeholders. By starting with a promise – a user story – and then refining and expanding upon it through collaboration, teams can create products that truly resonate with their customers.
User Stories: The Promises That Fuel Collaborative Development
User stories are not just words on a page; they are promises to have conversations that shape the future of a product. By embracing the power of user stories and supplementing them with detailed use case specifications, development teams can create products that not only meet but exceed customer expectations.
Jeff Patton: User Story Mapping
I cannot finish out this post without mentioning the incredibly powerful technique of User Story Mapping by Jeff Patton. It is likely the most effective longer planning tool in Product Management and when combined with big room planning, it is a potent and proven strategy. Please visit the link in the reference below on Jeff’s powerful approach.
References:
Kent Beck: User Stories and Extreme Programming
Gentle Introduction to XP
Alastair Cockburn: Heart of Agile and Clear
Ward Cunningham: Ward’s Wiki
Ivar Jacobsen: Use Cases 2.0
Jeff Patton: User Story Mapping
Hi Joe. Great summary. It's helpful that you include references.
I've long been of the opinion that most requirements documentation (and the related decision churn and BS estimates that go along with it) can be avoided when people properly understand the practice of story writing and use cases — particularly when each of those are written like tests. For example:
The Connextra template for user stories (As a _, I want _, etc) is difficult to test. I prefer actionable statements like:
> A (type of user) CAN (do something).
Instead of something like: As a driver, I want to engage the cruise control.
I prefer: The driver can engage the cruise control.
The latter example is testable (they can or cannot engage the feature) whereas the former is a merely a statement of desire/preference.