The INVEST acronym is a set of criteria used in Agile software development, particularly in Scrum, to create high-quality user stories. It helps ensure that user stories are well-defined, actionable, and valuable to the end user. INVEST stands for:
I - Independent
·
Definition: A user story should be self-contained and not dependent on
other stories.
·
Why It Matters: Independence allows teams to prioritize and work on stories in
any order, increasing flexibility.
·
Example: Instead of "As a user, I can log in and view my
profile," split it into two stories: "As a user, I can log in"
and "As a user, I can view my profile."
N - Negotiable
·
Definition: A user story should be open to discussion and refinement.
·
Why It Matters: Stories are not rigid contracts; they encourage collaboration
between the team and stakeholders to find the best solution.
·
Example: "As a user, I can filter search results" leaves room
for discussion on how the filtering should work.
V - Valuable
·
Definition: A user story must deliver value to the end user or
stakeholder.
·
Why It Matters: Ensures that every story contributes to the overall goals of
the project.
·
Example: "As a user, I can reset my password" provides value
by improving user security and convenience.
E - Estimable
·
Definition: A user story should be clear enough for the team to estimate
its size or effort.
·
Why It Matters: Estimability helps with sprint planning and prioritization.
·
Example: "As a user, I can upload a profile picture" is
estimable, whereas "As a user, I can have a better experience" is too
vague.
S - Small
·
Definition: A user story should be small enough to be completed within a
single sprint.
·
Why It Matters: Smaller stories are easier to manage, develop, and test.
·
Example: Break down "As a user, I can manage my account" into
smaller stories like "As a user, I can update my email address" and
"As a user, I can change my password."
T - Testable
·
Definition: A user story should have clear acceptance criteria that allow
the team to verify its completion.
·
Why It Matters: Testability ensures that the story meets the user's needs and
can be validated.
·
Example: "As a user, I can search for products" should
include acceptance criteria like "Search results should appear within 2
seconds" and "Results should match the search query."
Why INVEST Matters
·
Improves Clarity: Ensures user stories are well-defined and actionable.
·
Enhances Collaboration: Encourages communication between the
team and stakeholders.
·
Supports Agile Principles: Aligns with Agile values like delivering
value incrementally and responding to change.
Example of an INVEST-Compliant User Story
·
Story: "As a customer, I can add items to my shopping cart so
that I can purchase them later."
·
Independent: The story doesn't depend on other stories.
·
Negotiable: The implementation details (e.g., how items are added) can be
discussed.
·
Valuable: Adds value by enabling customers to shop.
·
Estimable: The team can estimate the effort required.
·
Small: Can be completed in one sprint.
·
Testable: Acceptance criteria like "Items should remain in the cart
after the session ends" make it testable.
By
following the INVEST criteria, teams can create user stories that are clear,
actionable, and aligned with Agile principles.
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