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Writing Effective User Stories in JIRA

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19th Feb, 2024
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    Writing Effective User Stories in JIRA

    In the world of project management, Jira is like the superhero that makes everything smoother, streamlining workflows, and bringing teams together effortlessly. Imagine it as the secret sauce for successful projects. And at the core of its magic are user stories—those little stories that play a big role in Agile development. This blog is your friendly companion, here to guide you through the exciting journey of creating user stories in Jira. Let's dive into the art of storytelling, making sure your stories are not just clear but also bring your team together for project victories. Whether you're a pro or just starting out with Agile, this guide is packed with insights to boost your user story game and make your projects shine.

    What is a User Story?

    User stories are short, simple descriptions of a feature in the system under development told from the perspective of the person who desires this new capability. This person is normally a user of the system or even a customer who pays for the solution. 

    \User stories are often written on index cards or sticky notes and pasted on an information radiator or a scrum board. This article is, however, on maintaining user stories using JIRA and how the tool can ensure regular conversation. 

    Writing user stories on an index card is actually the ‘Card’ part of the 3 C’s in user stories. It is said that a user story should be long enough to fit into an index card and be detailed enough to arouse discussion.

    Writing User Stories in JIRA

    A new user story in JIRA can be created by selecting the option to create a new issue of type ‘Story’ as shown below:



    The user story in the format listed above can be written in the summary field of the new issue creation screen. 

    User story definition should satisfy the INVEST criteria which implies that the user stories should be:

    • Independent (of all other user stories and be able to exist on its own)
    • Negotiable (not a specific contract for features but be able to be used to facilitate discussion among relevant stakeholders)
    • Valuable (create some business value)
    • Estimable (to a good approximation)
    • Small (to fit within an iteration)
    • Testable (in principle, even if there isn’t a test for it yet)

    JIRA also provides the option to set the priority of user stories which might have been done based on the MoSCoW criteria, due dates, assign the story to a team member of the project, allocate a story point/hour based effort estimation for the story, tag the user story to a component level feature or in other words ‘Epic’ and be able to assign the story to a sprint during which the story is required to be implemented.

    Adding Descriptions to User Stories

    The 2nd C of the 3 C’s in user stories, ' Confirmation’, is used to specify the user story's acceptance criteria. An acceptance criterion is used to ascertain when a particular user story can be marked as done and is normally used by the product owner to validate the same. The acceptance criteria also help the development team implement the business rules, and functionality and will be the single point of reference for the Quality Assurance Team. The description field in JIRA issue creation allows the user to specify the acceptance criteria. Enroll in KnowledgeHut JIRA course to kick-start your profession.

    Enabling Discussion

    Another main aspect of writing requirements as user stories is to enable conversation about the feature among relevant stakeholders. This is known as the ‘Conversation’ component of user stories which is the 3rd C in the 3C’s. 

    Often, user stories are accompanied by a process diagram, UI wireframe or a mockup, data dictionary, etc., which can be added as attachments in JIRA or even be associated with the story as comments, or wiki page links maintained in confluence.

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    Acceptance Criteria in Jira 

    To ensure the completeness of a user story, inclusion of acceptance criteria is vital. These criteria set the boundaries for successful story completion, providing a clear definition of done. 

    Best Practices and Tips for User Story in Jira 

    • User-Centric Approach - Keep the user at the centre of the narrative: The essence of user stories lies in addressing the needs and expectations of end-users. A user-centric approach emphasizes understanding the users' perspectives, their pain points, and the value they seek from the software. This involves creating user stories that reflect real-life scenarios and focusing on how the end-user interacts with the product. By keeping the user at the centre, teams ensure that every development effort is aligned with delivering maximum value to the end-user. 

    • Granularity -Break down complex functionalities into smaller, manageable user stories: Granularity in user stories involves breaking down larger features or functionalities into smaller, more manageable pieces. This practice ensures that each user story represents a specific, well-defined functionality that can be developed, tested, and delivered independently. By decomposing complex tasks into smaller stories, teams can maintain a clear focus, facilitate more accurate estimation, and create a roadmap for incremental development. This approach aligns with agile principles, allowing for iterative and value-driven delivery. 

    • Collaboration - Foster open communication and collaboration among team members: Collaboration is the heartbeat of agile methodologies, and user stories are no exception. Teams must encourage open communication and collaboration among various stakeholders, including product owners, developers, testers, and other relevant team members. Regular communication ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding user story requirements, goals, and priorities. This collaborative environment promotes shared understanding, reduces misunderstandings, and contributes to the creation of high-quality user stories that effectively meet user needs. 

    • Regular Refinement - Continuously refine and prioritize user stories based on changing project dynamics: Agile projects are dynamic, and user stories must evolve with changing requirements and project priorities. Regular refinement involves revisiting and updating user stories to reflect the latest insights, feedback, or changes in project goals. Teams should prioritize user stories based on business value, dependencies, and evolving user needs. This continuous refinement process allows for flexibility in adapting to changing project dynamics, ensuring that the team remains responsive to emerging requirements and can adjust their priorities accordingly. 

    Conclusion 

    Acquiring proficiency in crafting user stories within the Jira framework empowers agile teams to deliver software that truly meets user needs. It involves not only grasping the basic structure but also acknowledging the significance of user stories as vital components in the agile development process. Best practices, such as adopting a user-centric approach, breaking down complex functionalities into manageable stories, fostering collaboration, and regular refinement, ensure that user stories remain effective tools for communication and delivery. Embracing these practices allows teams to navigate project intricacies with finesse, promoting a harmonious blend of clarity, collaboration, and successful outcomes. In the collaborative landscape of Jira, let user stories be the guiding light illuminating the path to project success. 

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1What are the key elements to include in a Jira user story?

    A Jira user story should include the user persona, a clear description of the desired action, dependencies, and the benefit or value gained by the user. Additionally, acceptance criteria must be defined to ensure successful completion.

    2What should I consider when prioritizing Jira user stories?

    Prioritize user stories based on the overall project goals, user needs, and dependencies. Consider the impact on project timelines and the value each user story brings to the end user.

    3How often should Jira user stories be reviewed and refined?

    Regular reviews and refinements of user stories should occur during backlog grooming sessions and sprint planning meetings. This ensures alignment with project goals and evolving requirements. 

    Profile

    Rumesh Wijetunge

    Chief Innovation Officer - Zaizi Limited, Chief Operating Officer - LearntIn (Pvt) Ltd., Director /

    Rumesh is an IT business leader with over 12 years of industry experience as a business analyst and project manager. He is currently the CIO of Zaizi Limited, a UK based data management company heading the operations in Sri Lanka, the COO of LearntIn, a global training institute based in Sri Lanka and is also a lecturer / trainer at multiple private universities on management, IT, business analysis and project management subjects. He is the current president of the IIBA Sri Lanka chapter and is one of the most qualified and sought after trainers in Sri Lanka. Refer his LinkedIn profile for more details and to see more articles he has written on linkedin

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