This document discusses writing better stories and provides tips for doing so. It introduces 5 principles of "Lean Thinking" including identifying customers and value, mapping the value stream, eliminating waste, responding to customer pull, and pursuing perfection. It then discusses what makes for a good story, noting they should be independent, negotiable, valuable, estimable, small, and testable. Various exercises and tips are provided, such as brainstorming stories, splitting stories into smaller chunks, involving stakeholders, and prioritizing work. In conclusion, the document discusses what has been learned about writing better stories.

1. Writing
Better
Stories
Denis Howlett
denis.howlett@isocra.com
linkedin.com/in/denishowlett
@denishowlett

2. What goes wrong with stories?
flic.kr/p/nRNcXg
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3. Story: buy a train ticket
• What’s involved in buying a
train ticket?
• Let’s sketch out some
wireframes…
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4. 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 Perfection
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www.cardiff.ac.uk/lean/principles/
flic.kr/p/73bTEr

5. Any shortcuts for
good stories?
5 flic.kr/p/aBoJCT

6. As a <role>
I can <do something>
so that <rationale>
<value>
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7. What makes for a good story?
ndependent
7
egotiable
aluable
stimable
mall
estable
From IndigoBlue.co.uk:
Scrabble tiles © fuzzimo.com
aluable
ncremental
mall/Sized
estable
ndependent

8. Exercise:
brainstorming
stories
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9. 9 flic.kr/p/jQ7Xq

10. Splitting and Shaving
• Breaking stories down is fundamental
• Some split into smaller chunks
• Others can have optional features
shaved off
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11. Stakeholders
• How do you involve them?
• Brainstorming stories initially
• Prioritisation
• Stories demonstrate progress
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12. What have we learnt?
flic.kr/p/9sC6r2
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13. Thank you!Denis Howlett
@denishowlett
inkedin.com/in/denishowlett flic.kr/p/7AvGLj