A collection of observed patterns and anti-patterns of being an Agile business analyst. Includes tips and tricks and worked examples to look out for, and picking up on the cues that make you a better analyst on an Agile environment.

1. AGILE ANALYSIS
Best Practices
© 2013 ThoughtWorks Inc. All rights reserved.

3. What is Agile Business Analysis?
Story Writing
User Stories in Action

4. What is Agile Business Analysis?
Story Writing
User Stories in Action

5. Role of an analyst in an Agile environment

6. ACTIVITY
• Write
down the roles and responsibilities that you do today
• Write
down the things you think an Agile BA would do

7. Talk to customers in order to derive features
User research
Manage user stories
Pair with developers and QAs
Assist PMs in iteration and release planning

8. Initial effort in analysis stage
Continuous development support

9. Requirements documentation
Epics, Features and User stories

10. Elicit all design and requirements at the beginning
Just-in-time: The further out, the less we know

11. Holistic business process view
Iterative story development

12. JARGON BUSTERS!
Agile
Showcase
Backlog
Spike
Definition of done
Sprint
Epic
Stand-up
Extreme programming (XP)
Story wall
Iteration
Time-box
IPM
Technical task
Release planning
User story
Retrospective
Velocity
Scrum

13. What is Agile Business Analysis?
Story Writing
User Stories in Action

14. A story as a placeholder for a conversation

15. HOW DO WE WRITE STORIES?
Existing system
New
look for processes
newly defined processes
talk to people in different
departments and divisions
talk to product owners
domain environment hunting
domain models
brainstorm requirements
user guides, documentations

16. What does a user story look like?
How do they function in a team?

17. As a!
I want!
So that!

18. As a!
User Role
I want! to do a certain task,
a goal is achieved to
So that!
deliver business value.

19. INVEST IN INVEST
Independent
Negotiable
Value
Estimable
Small
Testable

20. DECONSTRUCTING A STORY
Story
Description
Assumptions
Technical notes
Acceptance criteria
Priority
Story estimate
narrative
mockup
lo-fi
suppor t
cument
do

21. FIELD EXAMPLE

22. Description
Narrative
As CS
I want to manage hero content
So that I can modify content displayed to customers on Ruler Foods' home page
Description
This story allows CS to administer "hero" gadgets. CS provides search criteria in the form of tags and can select one topic from the results. This
selection populates the hero gadget slot on the Ruler Foods' home page with that topic content.
The hero gadget can contain an asset and content. The content can contain a headline, body text, and call to action.
This story also creates a "Manage Gadgets" link on CMS navigation bar.
Customers can then view the "Hero" content on the Ruler Foods' home page.
Open Questions
How much text do we show for content in search results? Headline and text will show for topic but how much text?
OOS
This story does not include multiple panels in the hero, and the accompanying timed rotation, and dot-­based navigation. Handled in future story.
Does not include inspirational hero. (BST-­178)
Does not include editing/creating content for hero.
User journey
1. CS personnel logs in to CMS
2. They click on "Manage Gadgets"
3. They select "Hero" for the gadget
4. They enter content(topic) tags as search criteria for "Hero"
5. Search
6. They view list of topics in search results
7. The topics can contain an image, headline, body text, and call to action
8. They select a single topic.
9. Save
10. They can view the topic on the Ruler Foods' home page
Assumptions

23. Description
Narrative
As CS
I want to manage hero content
So that I can modify content displayed to customers on Ruler Foods' home page
For whom this is valuable
Ask Why
Description
This story allows CS to administer "hero" gadgets. CS provides search criteria in the form of tags and can select one topic from the results. This
selection populates the hero gadget slot on the Ruler Foods' home page with that topic content.
The hero gadget can contain an asset and content. The content can contain a headline, body text, and call to action.
This story also creates a "Manage Gadgets" link on CMS navigation bar.
Customers can then view the "Hero" content on the Ruler Foods' home page.
Open Questions
How much text do we show for content in search results? Headline and text will show for topic but how much text?
OOS
This story does not include multiple panels in the hero, and the accompanying timed rotation, and dot-­based navigation. Handled in future story.
Does not include inspirational hero. (BST-­178)
Does not include editing/creating content for hero.
User journey
1. CS personnel logs in to CMS
2. They click on "Manage Gadgets"
3. They select "Hero" for the gadget
4. They enter content(topic) tags as search criteria for "Hero"
5. Search
6. They view list of topics in search results
7. The topics can contain an image, headline, body text, and call to action
8. They select a single topic.
9. Save
10. They can view the topic on the Ruler Foods' home page
Assumptions

24. Description
Narrative
As CS
I want to manage hero content
So that I can modify content displayed to customers on Ruler Foods' home page
Description
This story allows CS to administer "hero" gadgets. CS provides search criteria in the form of tags and can select one topic from the results. This
selection populates the hero gadget slot on the Ruler Foods' home page with that topic content.
The hero gadget can contain an asset and content. The content can contain a headline, body text, and call to action.
This story also creates a "Manage Gadgets" link on CMS navigation bar.
Customers can then view the "Hero" content on the Ruler Foods' home page.
Open Questions
How much text do we show for content in search results? Headline and text will show for topic but how much text?
OOS
This story does not include multiple panels in the hero, and the accompanying timed rotation, and dot-­based navigation. Handled in future story.
Does not include inspirational hero. (BST-­178)
Does not include editing/creating content for hero.
User journey
1. CS personnel logs in to CMS
2. They click on "Manage Gadgets"
3. They select "Hero" for the gadget
4. They enter content(topic) tags as search criteria for "Hero"
5. Search
6. They view list of topics in search results
7. The topics can contain an image, headline, body text, and call to action
8. They select a single topic.
9. Save
10. They can view the topic on the Ruler Foods' home page
Assumptions
Brief description
Succinct
Natural language

25. Description
Narrative
As CS
I want to manage hero content
So that I can modify content displayed to customers on Ruler Foods' home page
Description
This story allows CS to administer "hero" gadgets. CS provides search criteria in the form of tags and can select one topic from the results. This
selection populates the hero gadget slot on the Ruler Foods' home page with that topic content.
The hero gadget can contain an asset and content. The content can contain a headline, body text, and call to action.
This story also creates a "Manage Gadgets" link on CMS navigation bar.
Customers can then view the "Hero" content on the Ruler Foods' home page.
Open Questions
How much text do we show for content in search results? Headline and text will show for topic but how much text?
OOS
This story does not include multiple panels in the hero, and the accompanying timed rotation, and dot-­based navigation. Handled in future story.
Does not include inspirational hero. (BST-­178)
Does not include editing/creating content for hero.
User journey
1. CS personnel logs in to CMS
2. They click on "Manage Gadgets"
3. They select "Hero" for the gadget
4. They enter content(topic) tags as search criteria for "Hero"
5. Search
6. They view list of topics in search results
7. The topics can contain an image, headline, body text, and call to action
8. They select a single topic.
9. Save
10. They can view the topic on the Ruler Foods' home page
Assumptions
Close gaps before development

26. Description
Narrative
As CS
I want to manage hero content
So that I can modify content displayed to customers on Ruler Foods' home page
Description
This story allows CS to administer "hero" gadgets. CS provides search criteria in the form of tags and can select one topic from the results. This
selection populates the hero gadget slot on the Ruler Foods' home page with that topic content.
The hero gadget can contain an asset and content. The content can contain a headline, body text, and call to action.
This story also creates a "Manage Gadgets" link on CMS navigation bar.
Customers can then view the "Hero" content on the Ruler Foods' home page.
Open Questions
How much text do we show for content in search results? Headline and text will show for topic but how much text?
OOS
This story does not include multiple panels in the hero, and the accompanying timed rotation, and dot-­based navigation. Handled in future story.
Does not include inspirational hero. (BST-­178)
Does not include editing/creating content for hero.
User journey
1. CS personnel logs in to CMS
2. They click on "Manage Gadgets"
3. They select "Hero" for the gadget
4. They enter content(topic) tags as search criteria for "Hero"
5. Search
6. They view list of topics in search results
7. The topics can contain an image, headline, body text, and call to action
8. They select a single topic.
9. Save
10. They can view the topic on the Ruler Foods' home page
Assumptions
Explicitly define what is
out-of-scope (OOS)

27. Description
Narrative
As CS
I want to manage hero content
So that I can modify content displayed to customers on Ruler Foods' home page
Description
This story allows CS to administer "hero" gadgets. CS provides search criteria in the form of tags and can select one topic from the results. This
selection populates the hero gadget slot on the Ruler Foods' home page with that topic content.
The hero gadget can contain an asset and content. The content can contain a headline, body text, and call to action.
This story also creates a "Manage Gadgets" link on CMS navigation bar.
Customers can then view the "Hero" content on the Ruler Foods' home page.
Open Questions
How much text do we show for content in search results? Headline and text will show for topic but how much text?
OOS
This story does not include multiple panels in the hero, and the accompanying timed rotation, and dot-­based navigation. Handled in future story.
Does not include inspirational hero. (BST-­178)
Does not include editing/creating content for hero.
Describe in-context
User journey
1. CS personnel logs in to CMS
2. They click on "Manage Gadgets"
3. They select "Hero" for the gadget
4. They enter content(topic) tags as search criteria for "Hero"
5. Search
6. They view list of topics in search results
7. The topics can contain an image, headline, body text, and call to action
8. They select a single topic.
9. Save
10. They can view the topic on the Ruler Foods' home page
Assumptions

28. Acceptance Criteria
3/8/13
HAPPY PATH
HAPPY PATH
1. CS views "Manage Gadgets" on CMS home page
Given I have logged in as CS
When I view the navigation bar
Then I can see a link for "Manage Gadgets"
2. View search criteria for gadget
Given I have clicked on "Manage Gadgets" link
When I view the page
Then I will see the current published content (if any)
And then I will have an option to select the "Hero" gadget
And then I can select topics by tag name
And then I will see an option to search
3. View "Hero" content from search results
Given I am on the "Manage Gadgets" page
And I have selected "Hero" for the gadget
And I have typed "Duck" for topic tag
When I click "Search"
Then I can see the "Duck" topic in search results
And it will contain image, headline, body text, and call to action
4. View search results using "OR" logic
[#BST-179] Manage homepage hero

29. Acceptance Criteria
3/8/13
[#BST-179] Manage homepage hero
HAPPY PATH
HAPPY PATH
Simplest path to achieve your user goal
1. CS views "Manage Gadgets" on CMS home page
Given I have logged in as CS
When I view the navigation bar
Then I can see a link for "Manage Gadgets"
2. View search criteria for gadget
Given I have clicked on "Manage Gadgets" link
When I view the page
Then I will see the current published content (if any)
And then I will have an option to select the "Hero" gadget
And then I can select topics by tag name
And then I will see an option to search
3. View "Hero" content from search results
Given I am on the "Manage Gadgets" page
And I have selected "Hero" for the gadget
And I have typed "Duck" for topic tag
When I click "Search"
Then I can see the "Duck" topic in search results
And it will contain image, headline, body text, and call to action
4. View search results using "OR" logic

30. Acceptance Criteria
3/8/13
HAPPY PATH
HAPPY PATH
[#BST-179] Manage homepage hero
1. CS views "Manage Gadgets" on CMS home page
Given I have logged in as CS
When I view the navigation bar
Then I can see a link for "Manage Gadgets"
2. View search criteria for gadget
Given I have clicked on "Manage Gadgets" link
When I view the page
Then I will see the current published content (if any)
And then I will have an option to select the "Hero" gadget
And then I can select topics by tag name
And then I will see an option to search
3. View "Hero" content from search results
Given I am on the "Manage Gadgets" page
And I have selected "Hero" for the gadget
And I have typed "Duck" for topic tag
When I click "Search"
Then I can see the "Duck" topic in search results
And it will contain image, headline, body text, and call to action
4. View search results using "OR" logic
Describe test name
Given / When / Then

31. When I view the "Manage Gadgets" administration panel
Then I can see that "Tuna casserole" is the current content selection
And when I choose to delete "Tuna casserole" from the current content selection
Then I can see a message stating "Are you sure you want to delete the current content?"
And when I choose "Yes"
Then I can see "No content selected" in current content
And I can go to Ruler Foods' home page and see nothing in the "Hero" slot
11. Can search using "OR" logic
SAD PATH
Not the simplest path, but user goal
12. No results for search
is still achieved
Given I have run the search for a "Hero" topic tagged "meow"
And there is no topic tagged "meow"
When I view the search results
Then I will see a message "There were no matches for your search terms."
13. display placeholder image when topic does not have a hero frame
Given topic Z does not have a hero frame
When I search for Z,
Then I see a placeholder image saying "No hero frame",
Then I cannot click on save to make Z the home page hero.
Given the above,
When I add a hero frame and search for Z again,
Then I see the image,
Then I can make Z as home page hero,
Then I go to the Ruler Foods home page and Z is there.
14. "Hero" frame is blank on banner home page
Given I have removed the "Hero" content from the banner home page
And I have not uploaded any new "Hero" content
When I view the Ruler Foods' home page
Then I do not see anything in the "Hero" slot
BAD PATH
15. Cannot search with nothing in search box
Path(s) where user goal is NOT achieved

32. Use wireframes

33. What is Agile Business Analysis?
Story Writing
User Stories in Action

34. AGILE IS A DISCIPLINE
Defining the boundaries of each piece of story that maps as a
feature or a complete application
Channel customers or product owners
Domain and knowledge as communication hub
Never a bottleneck or silo
is there more?

35. LOOK OUT FOR
ANTI-PATTERN

36. LOOK OUT FOR
ANTI-PATTERN
A pattern is a repeatable solution to a common problem
with a given context;
An anti-pattern is a collection of what not to do.

37. CIRCULAR
As a user,
I want to log into the system,
So that I can log into the system.
As a customer,
I want to log into my account securely,
So that my data is protected from prying eyes.

38. CIRCULAR
As a bank manager,
I want to see a customer’s account summary table,
So that I can see the table details.
As a bank manager,
I want to see a customer’s account summary table,
So that I can forecast whether I should reach out to
more new customers.

39. AMBIGUITY
As a finance admin,
I want to look at the monthly
report,
So that I can use it for my
reporting needs.

40. AVOID IMPLEMENTATION
Why?

41. BEYOND EVERYDAY
FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Cross-functional requirements
Technical story
User Interface (UI) story
and avoid
implementation
details!
... do they have end-users too?

42. PATTERN OR ANTI-PATTERN?
Copy / pasting requirements
[Ctrl+C] [Ctrl+V]
not good for code, not good for stories either
why?

43. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Pick an area you could write a story on
Swap with another pair to review
(Or) Send to jenny.wong

44. THINK ABOUT ...
Incomplete story?
Acceptance criteria added throughout development
What if we have missed requirements?
What if the product owner changes their mind?

45. Q&A

46. THANK YOU
© 2013 ThoughtWorks Inc. All rights reserved.