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Lemon strives for efficiency, transparency and maximum value creation in every project, with every customer. An essential part of this includes good user stories. They not only form the bridge between business and IT, but also determine the direction, priority and quality of software development. Based on various project experiences and a joint brainstorming session, a supported vision was developed about what a good user story should be — and what not.
What makes a user story good?
A good user story always starts from the user and their needs, and answers three fundamental questions:
- whom want something?
- what wants to reach that person?
- why is this important?
A user story focuses on what the user wants to achieve, instead of what to do or how to fix this technically. This “how” question belongs in technical documentation or acceptance criteria, not in the user story itself.
In addition, a user story must standalone and manageable are. It must be compact enough to be completed within one sprint, without complex dependencies or ambiguities. In addition, each story has a clear business value, so that impactful solutions are being built in a targeted manner.
In addition, we consider the user story as a conversation starter, not as a final document. It forms the basis for dialogue and refinement. At Lemon, we believe in 3 amigo meetings where business, development and QA come together. This is how a story develops iteratively: starting with a first version that is gradually refined. The user story is included linked to broader analysis documentation that evolves with the solution.
Once a user story is ready to be recorded, it gets a clear priority and a place within the wider scope and roadmap. This allows a critical path are determined that helps to focus our energy on what provides the most value.
Focus on what the user wants to achieve.
What about technical aspects?
User stories should not get bogged down in technical descriptions whether complete solution proposals. For technical aspects, separate tasks, documentation or enabler stories are used. In this way, user stories remain clear, functional and user-focused.
A successful delivery?
A good user story is a very useful basic tool, although, of course, more is needed for a high-quality delivery. That is why we also make use of various additional practices:
- We work with technical subtasks (for example, for frontend/backend tasks) and enabler stories (technical or infrastructural descriptions) in preparatory work.
- We make preconditions and assumptions explicitly to prevent blockages.
- Where necessary mockups and visual aids added.
- The recurrent touchpoints and a shared visual timeline ensure coordination with stakeholders.
- The defined “technical zone” offers space for technical expertise without overshadowing the functional scope. This requires a relationship of trust between business and IT, between the customer and the software supplier.
User stories create clarity, engagement and value for all parties.
Check!
Use a final check before creating or recording a user story. This list is not conclusive, but it will help you further in the thinking process:
✔️ Who - what - why are clearly formulated
✔️ The story is small enough for one sprint
✔️ The story text contains no technical details
✔️ The story has a clear business value
✔️ Acceptance criteria have been defined
✔️ Priority has been assigned
✔️ The story was linked to a broader analysis
✔️ The story was discussed in 3 amigos or scheduled for discussion
✔️ Any mockups, assumptions and preconditions are available
A vision that provides direction
The above approach to user stories creates clarity, engagement and value for all parties. Our vision puts the user first, promotes collaboration and offers space for technical development at the right time. We are convinced that this approach not only leads to better software, but also to greater transparency and satisfaction among teams and customers. Let that be just Lemon's ambition.
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