Writing Better Stories

Denis Howlett denis.howlett@isocra.com linkedin.com/in/denishowlett @denishowlett

What goes wrong with stories?

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Story: buy a train ticket• What’s involved in buying a

train ticket? • Let’s sketch out some

wireframes…

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5 Principles of “Lean Thinking”

• Identify customers and specify Value

• Identify and map the Value Stream • Create Flow by eliminating Waste • Respond to customer Pull • Pursue Perfection4 www.cardiff.ac.uk/lean/principles/

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Any shortcuts for good stories?

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As a <role> I can <do something> so that <rationale>

<value>6

What makes for a good story?ndependent

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egotiable

aluable

stimable

mall

estable

FromIndigoBlue.co.uk:

Scrabbletiles©fuzzimo.com

aluable

ncremental

mall/Sized

estable

ndependent

Exercise: brainstorming stories

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Splitting and Shaving

• Breaking stories down is fundamental • Some split into smaller chunks • Others can have optional features

shaved off

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Stakeholders

• How do you involve them? • Brainstorming stories initially • Prioritisation • Stories demonstrate progress

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What have we learnt?

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Thank you!Denis Howlett @denishowlett inkedin.com/in/denishowlett flic.kr/p/7AvGLj