What is a User Story?

A User Story is...

• 1 + sentences in the everyday language of the user  that captures what they do or need to do as part of their job function
• Used with agile software development methodologies as the basis for defining the functions a business system must provide, and to facilitate requirements management 
• It captures the "who", "what" and "why" of a requirement in a simple, concise way (often limited in detail by what can be hand-written on a small paper notecard)

So, what is a User Story Map?

storiesonboard.com

Balsamiq

dynamic wireframing tool

Benefits

• Lots of detail
• Puts user needs/action in CONTEXT
• Little cost
• Great for increasing stakeholder trust
• Provides framework for easily transforming chunks into releases/sprints
• Makes requirements lists more understandable to developers
• Delivers a product that actually meets users' need

Thanks!

Katie Lee

UX Lead, Division of Biological Sciences, UC San Diego

katielee@ucsd.edu

@katiedangerlee

UX Speakeasy

SDXD: San Diego Experience Design Professionals Network

CRUX