What is a User Story?

A User Story is a tool used in Agile software development to capture a description of a software feature from an end-user perspective. It is a simple and concise way to document what the user needs and why, often following the format: "As a [type of user], I want [some goal] so that [some reason]." This structure helps ensure that the development team understands the requirements from the user's viewpoint, focusing on delivering value and improving user satisfaction.

User Stories are typically written by the Product Owner and serve as the primary unit of work in Agile methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban. They are placed in the product backlog, prioritized based on business value, and selected for implementation during sprint planning sessions. Each User Story is meant to be small enough to be completed within a single iteration, promoting incremental and iterative development. By breaking down features into manageable pieces, User Stories facilitate better planning, estimation, and collaboration, ultimately leading to more effective and user-centered software development.