User stories and acceptance criteria are key to successful agile development. They help translate business needs into actionable tasks for the development team. This article will guide you to write user stories and acceptance criteria effectively, using examples and scenarios from a user account management system.
Table of Contents
What Are User Stories?
User stories are brief, straightforward descriptions of a feature from the user’s perspective. They define what the user wants and why, focusing on the value delivered rather than technical details.
Format: The standard format for user stories is:
As a [user role], I want to [action/goal] so that [benefit/value].
- As a [user role]: Who is the user? (e.g., “As an admin user”)
- I want to [action/goal]: What does the user want to achieve? (e.g., “I want to add a new user account”)
- So that [benefit/value]: Why does the user want it? (e.g., “So that the new user can access the system”)
Example of a User Story for a User Account Management System
User Story 1:
As an admin, I want to create a new user account so that the user can access the system with their credentials.
User Story 2:
As an admin, I want to edit a user’s information so that I can update their role or correct any mistakes.
Best Practices for Writing User Stories
- Keep It Short and Focused: Each user story should describe a single feature or action. Avoid combining multiple functionalities into one story.
- Focus on Value: Emphasize the benefit for the user. Understanding why a user needs a feature helps prioritize development.
- Use Common Language: Avoid technical jargon. User stories should be easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand.
- INVEST Criteria: A good user story follows the INVEST principles:
- Independent: Should be self-contained.
- Negotiable: Can be discussed and refined.
- Valuable: Delivers value to the user.
- Estimable: The team can estimate the effort needed.
- Small: Can be completed in a single sprint.
- Testable: Clear acceptance criteria should verify the story.
What Are Acceptance Criteria?
Acceptance criteria define the conditions that a user story must satisfy to be considered complete. They ensure that the story is testable and that the end result meets the user’s expectations.
Format: A common format for acceptance criteria is the “Given-When-Then” structure:
Given [initial context],
When [action is taken],
Then [expected outcome].
Example of Acceptance Criteria for User Story 1 (Create User)
User Story:
As an admin, I want to create a new user account so that the user can access the system with their credentials.
Acceptance Criteria:
- Given the admin is on the “Create User” page, When the admin enters valid user details (username, password, and role), Then the new user account should be created and appear in the user list.
- Given the admin leaves any required fields (username, password) empty, When the admin tries to save the new user, Then an error message should be displayed, indicating that all fields are required.
- Given a user account is successfully created, When the admin navigates back to the user list, Then the newly added user should be visible in the list.
Example of Acceptance Criteria for User Story 2 (Edit User)
User Story:
As an admin, I want to edit a user’s information so that I can update their role or correct any mistakes.
Acceptance Criteria:
- Given an admin is on the “Edit User” page for an existing user, When the admin updates the user’s role and clicks “Save”, Then the changes should be saved and the updated role should be reflected in the user list.
- Given the admin makes no changes to the user’s information, When the admin clicks “Save”, Then the system should display a message indicating that no changes were made.
- Given an admin attempts to update a user’s information with invalid data (e.g., a blank username), When the admin clicks “Save”, Then an error message should be displayed, specifying the validation error.
Use Case: User Account Management System
Let’s consider a user account management system where an admin can manage user accounts. Each feature (Create, Edit, Retrieve, Delete) can have its own user stories and acceptance criteria.
1. Create a User
- User Story: As an admin, I want to create a new user account so that the user can access the system with their credentials.
- Acceptance Criteria: As defined above.
2. Edit a User
- User Story: As an admin, I want to edit a user’s information so that I can update their role or correct any mistakes.
- Acceptance Criteria: As defined above.
3. Get Single User Details
- User Story:
As an admin, I want to view a user’s details so that I can see their information when needed.
- Acceptance Criteria:
Given an admin is logged in, When they request a specific user by ID, Then the system should return the user’s details, including username, role, and status.
4. Get List of Users with Pagination
- User Story:
As an admin, I want to view a list of all users with pagination so that I can manage user accounts efficiently.
- Acceptance Criteria:
- Given the admin is on the “User List” page, When they request the user list with a specified page number and page size, Then the system should return the correct page of users along with the total number of users.
- Given the user list has more users than can be displayed on a single page, When the admin clicks “Next Page”, Then the system should display the next set of users.
5. Delete a Single User
- User Story:
As an admin, I want to delete a user so that I can remove inactive or unwanted accounts.
- Acceptance Criteria:
- Given an admin is viewing a user’s details, When they click the “Delete” button, Then a confirmation prompt should appear.
- Given the admin confirms the deletion, When they accept the prompt, Then the user should be removed from the system and no longer appear in the user list.
6. Delete Multiple Users
- User Story: As an admin, I want to delete multiple user accounts at once so that I can quickly remove users who are no longer active.
- Acceptance Criteria:
- Given the admin selects multiple users from the user list, When they click the “Delete Selected” button, Then a confirmation prompt should appear listing the users to be deleted.
- Given the admin confirms the deletion, When they accept the prompt, Then the selected users should be removed from the system and no longer appear in the user list.
Why Are User Stories and Acceptance Criteria Important?
- Clear Communication: They serve as a common language between stakeholders, developers, and testers.
- Focus on User Needs: User stories help teams stay user-centric, building features that directly address user needs.
- Testable Requirements: Acceptance criteria make it clear when a story is complete, helping testers validate the feature.
- Prioritization: Well-defined stories allow product owners to prioritize features based on user value and business needs.
- Flexibility in Development: Stories are easily adjustable, allowing for quick changes during sprint planning.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Unclear User Stories: Stories that lack clarity or specific goals can result in misinterpretation.
- Overly Detailed Acceptance Criteria: While criteria should be clear, they should not dictate implementation. Focus on what needs to be done, not how.
- Combining Too Many Features: Avoid creating stories that encompass multiple features. Break them down into smaller stories to maintain focus.
- Skipping User Roles: Always define the user role, as it influences the behavior and importance of a feature.
Conclusion
Writing user stories and acceptance criteria is a skill that helps translate user needs into actionable tasks for development. A well-defined user account management system ensures that features like creating, editing, and deleting users are implemented smoothly. By following best practices and using clear examples, we can ensure that user stories drive effective communication and successful project delivery. Use these guidelines as a starting point for your next project, and tailor them to meet your team’s needs. Happy story-writing!