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User stories are central to agile development, offering a concise way to capture product requirements. A well-structured user story ensures clarity, fosters understanding, and serves as a foundation for all subsequent stages of development.
At its core, every user story should answer three critical questions: Who, What, and Why.
While the user story provides a high-level view, acceptance criteria offer detailed requirements. They set clear expectations for what needs to be done, guiding developers and testers. Each criterion should be clear, concise, and result in observable outcomes.
A well-crafted user story provides a clear path forward, offering a shared vision for both stakeholders and the development team. By ensuring clarity and incorporating detailed acceptance criteria, a user story can significantly enhance the development process, ensuring that the final product aligns well with user needs and expectations.