User Stories and INVEST
6
INVEST Criteria
Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, Testable
1
Story Format
As a user, I want goal, so that benefit
AC
Acceptance Criteria
Clear, testable conditions for done
a real story looks like this · not a task, not a requirement
Anatomy of a User Story
As a returning shopper,
I want to save my cart across devices,
so that I can finish checkout on my phone later.
acceptance criteria
- ✓ cart persists when I log out
- ✓ cart syncs within 30s across devices
- ✓ guest carts merge on login
Independent
no hidden deps
Negotiable
not a contract
Valuable
user sees it
Estimable
team can size
Small
fits a sprint
Testable
clear accept crit
how to read this
- › A story has three parts: who, what, and why. Drop the "why" and it becomes a task.
- › Acceptance criteria turn the story into something testable. No AC = not ready to start.
- › Run the story through INVEST. If any letter fails, split or rewrite it.
- › "Small" means it fits in one sprint with room for testing. If a story feels big, split it along user workflow, data variants, or one criterion at a time.
Exam Traps
A story is not a task
A story delivers user-visible value. A task is an internal work breakdown. Do not confuse them on the exam.
Acceptance criteria are required
Without clear acceptance criteria a story cannot be tested and cannot be done. Missing AC is a Definition of Ready failure.
Stories can be split
If a story is too large to fit in a sprint, split it along user workflow, data variants, or acceptance criteria.
Value in every story
If it does not deliver user-visible value, it is not a story. It is a task.
No AC, no start
A story without acceptance criteria cannot enter the sprint. DoR blocks it.
As a morning commuter, I want a fast latte, so that I can make my train. That is the user story format.
You can make this latte without waiting for another order. Story standalone.
One drink, not a catering order. Stories fit in a sprint.
The latte has espresso, milk, and a dash of cinnamon. You can check each. That is acceptance criteria.
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