This is a presentation from Scrum Gathering 2014 in Berlin. It describes a technique called "User Story Slicing" to make smaller, valuable slices out of a bigger story or epic.

1. User story slicing
Splitting User Stories made easy
Scrum Gathering Berlin, 2014

2. Arto Eskelinen
Certified Scrum Trainer,
Coach, Consultant
at
Reaktor, Finland
Twitter:@artoes
arto.eskelinen@reaktor.fi

3. User Story
As a <type of user>
I can <function>
so that <I achieve my goal>

4. User Story
As a <type of user>
I can <function>
so that <I achieve my goal>
User’s need or goal
outside the system

5. User Story
As a <type of user>
I can <function>
so that <I achieve my goal>
how system fulfils
the need
User’s need or goal
outside the system

6. Scaling Stories
LEVEL FOCUS
Investment Theme
Epic
1
1
Feature
1
Implementation Story
Value Proposition!
Expected Impact
User Goal
User need
“Job to be done”
How the “system” solves the problem!
What is the user interaction?
Slice of feature that can be done in one iteration
1..N
1..N
1..N

7. Scaling Stories
LEVEL FOCUS
Investment Theme
Epic
1
1
Feature
1
Implementation Story
Value Proposition!
Expected Impact
User Goal
User need
“Job to be done”
How the “system” solves the problem!
What is the user interaction?
Slice of feature that can be done in one iteration
1..N
1..N
1..N
Problem Domain
Solution Domain

8. Scaling Stories
LEVEL FOCUS
Investment Theme
Epic
1
1
Feature
1
Implementation Story
Value Proposition!
Expected Impact
User Goal
User need
“Job to be done”
How the “system” solves the problem!
What is the user interaction?
Slice of feature that can be done in one iteration
1..N
1..N
1..N
Problem Domain
Solution Domain

9. Why split?
• To get something finished in a sprint
• This gives you:
• Better transparency when you know where you are
• Faster feedback
• Faster learning
• Faster delivery of value

10. The principles of Slicing
• End-to-End
• customer centric

11. The principles of Slicing
• End-to-End
• customer centric

12. Exercise 1
• Find yourself a pair
• Together, write a user story

13. Example Stories
• As a tax payer I can do my fiscal declaration in the internet so that I
can update it easily
• As a billing clerk I want to know the network transactions so that I
can generate a bill
• As a gas station keeper I want to know how much gasoline there is
in the tank so I can order more when it’s getting empty

14. Example
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get
elsewhere

15. Step 1- What happens here?
1.Describe the workflow
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

16. Search
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

17. Search
Select
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

18. Search
Select
Pay
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

19. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

20. As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere
Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
For your user story,
describe the
workflow

21. Step 2 - Create options
• For each step, think about possible levels of quality of service (QoS)
• Try to find the simplest possible first,
• Then add more sophisticated options

22. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

23. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

24. Search
Simple
QoS
Fancy

25. Search
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item

26. Search
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List of Items

27. Search
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List of Items
Text Search

28. Search
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List of Items
Text Search
Based on user profile

29. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

30. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

31. Select
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item (e.g. Bus)

32. Select
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item (e.g. Bus)
Several items of the
same type (Bus)

33. Select
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item (e.g. Bus)
Several items of the
same type (Bus)
Several Items, two types
(Bus+hotels)

34. Select
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item (e.g. Bus)
Several items of the
same type (Bus)
Several Items, two types
(Bus+hotels)
Reservations to opera
dinner included

35. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

36. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

37. Pay
Simple
QoS
Fancy

38. Pay
Simple
QoS
Fancy
Cash

39. Pay
Simple
QoS
Fancy
Cash
Bill

40. Pay
Simple
QoS
Fancy
Cash
Bill
Credit card

41. Pay
Simple
QoS
Fancy
Cash
Bill
Credit card
Quick loan with payback
plan

42. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

43. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

44. Delivery
Simple
QoS
Fancy

45. Delivery
Simple
QoS
Fancy
No tickets, (your name is
in the list)

46. Delivery
Simple
QoS
Fancy
No tickets, (your name is
in the list)
Print it yourself

47. Delivery
Simple
QoS
Fancy
No tickets, (your name is
in the list)
Print it yourself
email

48. Delivery
Simple
QoS
Fancy
No tickets, (your name is
in the list)
Print it yourself
email

49. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
send
ticket by
trad. mail
Print
ticket
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere

50. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
send
ticket by
trad. mail
Print
ticket
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy a trip
so that I get elsewhere
For your user story,
create the steps from
simple to fancy

51. Step 3 -Time to Slice
Start “slicing” stories
• try to create one vertical, end-to-end slice first
• Then, define new stories that add functionality by small steps
!

52. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket

53. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket

54. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket

55. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy one predefined
trip, and pay and get my
ticket in the office.

56. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy one predefined
trip, and pay and get my
ticket in the office.
As a Traveller
I can choose one trip
from a list of options, and
pay and get my ticket in
the office.
!

57. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy one predefined
trip, and As a pay Traveller
and get my
I can ticket choose in the one office.
trip
from a list of options, and
pay and As get a Traveller
my ticket in
I can the choose office.
one trip
from a list of options, pay
it using Bill, and get my
ticket in the office.

58. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy one predefined
trip, and As a pay Traveller
and get my
I can ticket choose in the one office.
trip
from a list of options, and
pay and As get a Traveller
my ticket in
I can the choose office.
one trip
from a list As of a options, Traveller
pay
it using Bill, and get my
I can choose one trip
from ticket a list in the of options, office.
pay
it using Bill, and get my
ticket by mail.

59. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy one predefined
trip, and As a pay Traveller
and get my
I can ticket choose in the one office.
trip
from a list of options, and
pay and As get a Traveller
my ticket in
I can the choose office.
one trip
from a list As of a options, Traveller
pay
it using Bill, and get my
I can choose one trip
from ticket As a list in a the Traveller
of options, office.
pay
it using Bill, and get my
I can choose one trip
from a ticket list of by options, mail.
pay
it using Bill, and get my
ticket by email.

60. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy one predefined
trip, and As a pay Traveller
and get my
I can ticket choose in the one office.
trip
from a list of options, and
pay and As get a Traveller
my ticket in
I can the choose office.
one trip
from a list As of a options, Traveller
pay
it using Bill, and get my
I can choose one trip
from ticket As a list in a the Traveller
of options, office.
pay
it using Bill, and get my
I can choose one trip
from a ticket list of by options, mail.
pay
it using Bill, and get my
ticket by email.
As a Traveller
I can search trips that
match to given words,
choose one , pay it using
Bill, and get my ticket by
As ae Tmraaviel. ll er
I can search trips that
match to given words,
choose many , pay it
using Bill, and get my
ticket by email.

61. Search
Select
Pay
Deliver
Simple
QoS
Fancy
One Item
List
Text
Search
User
optimize
d
One Item
Several
Items,
same
Several
Items,
different
types
Reservations
as options
Cash
Bill
Visa
Quick Loan
with
payback
plan
Print
ticket in
office
send
ticket by
trad. mail
email
ticket
As a Traveller
I can buy one predefined
trip, and As a pay Traveller
and get my
I can ticket choose in the one office.
trip
from a list of options, and
pay and As get a Traveller
my ticket in
I can choose one trip
from a list of options, pay
it using Bill, and get my
Create new “slices”
of your user story.
Try to get the simple
end-to-end first.
the office.
As a Traveller
I can choose one trip
from ticket As a list in a the Traveller
of options, office.
pay
it using Bill, and get my
I can choose one trip
from a ticket list of by options, mail.
pay
it using Bill, and get my
ticket by email.
As a Traveller
I can search trips that
match to given words,
choose one , pay it using
Bill, and get my ticket by
As ae Tmraaviel. ll er
I can search trips that
match to given words,
choose many , pay it
using Bill, and get my
ticket by email.

62. The whole process
1.Describe the steps of the workflow
2.For each step, think about possible levels of quality of service (QoS)
1. Try to find the simplest possible first,
2.Then add more sophisticated options
3.Start “slicing” stories
1.try to create one vertical, end-to-end slice first
2.Then, define new stories that add functionality by small steps

63. Things to remember
• Aim to end-to-end slices
• The simplest possible solution is often more simple than you think
• Don’t slice the whole story at once

64. Once slice when you are ready to eat

65. User stories are fractals
http://www.free-jigsaws.com/48_piece_jigsaw_puzzles/coil%20fractal.html

66. Questions?

67. Thank you!
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Slicing User Stories
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