Back in 2001 I gave a talk "Tuning XP" at XPDay with Tim Mackinnon which presented the story format we used at Connextra:
"As a role I want feature so that benefit"
This format has become widely used since then and has been nicely rephrased by Mike Cohn in his book "Agile Estimating and Planning" as
"As a type of user I want capability so that business value"
Well, I wanted to share a training exercise that I ran yesterday here which you could run to get your team started with using this story template. But before the exercise a word of caution, this format can lead people to focus more on end users interests rather than the perspective of the person putting the business case forward. Also when given a template people can start treating story cards written this way as mini-requirements specs focussing on the written words rather than using stories as tools for driving a conversations. Even worse that stories that don't fit this form will be battered into shape until they do. Stories help you ask the right questions about the context and reason for the request in release and iteration planning the important part is not about the words on the card but the shared understanding developed in the team.
Now for the exercise (which is loosely based on an exercise run by Jackie Mitchell and Lisa Hunter at XPDay4).
1. You are a family looking for a new house, each person picks a role: For example, Mum, Dad, Son, Daughter, Grandma. Choose name, age, work and pastimes for your role.
2. Based on this what budget can your team afford? Try and be realistic as this will make the trade-offs more real later on.
3. Spend 10 minutes where each person writes stories for features they need in the new house on index cards. Use the form: As a I want so that
4. Spend 5 minutes. Try to prioritise your stories. What’s important to tell the Estate Agent (Realtor)? Pick your top five.
Some of the rather charming example stories generated by the teams in the workshop were:
As a boy I want a big garden that can house a kennel so that my mum can buy me a dog.
As a teenage daughter, I would like my own bathroom so I don't have to share with my younger brother (Kevin).
As a teenage son, I want a garage so that I can jam with my punk band.
As a teenage son, I want thick walls so that I can rock out!
As a teenage son, I want to live near the town centre so that I can go to the arcade.
As Mum, I want a large luxury bathtub in the bathroom so that I can relax there after my stressful work day.
As Mum, I want to be near shops so that we don't need to drive miles.
As Mum, I want a less expensive house so that we can afford lots of holidays.
As a Mum, I want to be in a friendly neighbourhood so that we can have lots of parties.
As Mum, I want a big garden so that we can grow our own vegetables.
As Grandma, I want big windows to watch what is happening in the neighbourhood so that I can gossip.
As Grandma, I want to live in town so that I can get to Bingo easily on the bus.
As Grandma, I want to be close to the shops so I can get the groceries.
As Grandma, I want a large porch for a rocking chair overlooking the garden so that I can feel good.
As Grandma, I want an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower so that I can avoid injuries.
As Grandma, I want a ground-floor bedroom so that I don't have to climb the stairs with my bad knees.
As a Grandma, I want a surround-sound system for the telly so that I can hear it!
As a creative musical type, I want a loft studio so that I can compose music and get stoned in peace.
As an unemployed son, I want a computer room so that I can keep myself entertained all day playing Doom.
As a Dad, I would like a garage to park my car in so that I can keep my insurance premiums low.
As a Dad, I want a roof terrace so that I can dance.
As a Dad, I want the kids to have their own playroom so that we can have some peace.
As a dog, I want to live close to the park so I can go for walks and sticks to play with would be nice.
As a dog, I want an open fire so that I can curl up in front of it.
As a lonely child, I need to live where I have neighbours so that I can have someone to talk to.
As a fashion model, I want a huge walk-in wardrobe so that I can store my 200 pairs of shoes.
As a fashion model, I want a nice country kitchen with an Aga so that I can Hello magazine around.
As a welder, I need a workshop so that I don't set fire to the house.
As an assassin, I need a secure storage area so that others cannot see my dark secret.
Surprisingly, the top five from each group was pretty similar house with ensuite bedrooms, garage, and garden near park and schools.
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