User Story Basics – What is a User Story?

What is a User Story? I’m glad you asked! First of all, it’s important to say that User Stories are not a part of Scrum as defined in the required practices in the Scrum Guide. User Stories are but one way to represent Product Backlog Items in Scrum, and while it is the most popular [...]

Story Testing Patterns – My Recent Presentation at Mile High Agile

You can now find my recent presentation(along with all the handouts, etc), “Story Testing Patterns” on my website here: http://www.scrumcrazy.com/Presentation+-+Story+Testing+Patterns Feel free to add any comments here on my blog. .

Scrum Guide 2011 – Backlog Grooming as a Required Practice

Intro In my previous article, I give an overview of some of the interesting changes incorporated into the 2011 Scrum Guide. One of the most interesting changes in my view is the inclusion of Backlog Grooming as a required practice. In my Scrum coaching experiences, the one practice that seems to help beginner Scrum teams [...]

Tips for Effective Backlog Grooming – Part 3

Tip #8: Assign action items for any big risks or unknowns For big requirements issues, this probably means assigning the issue to the PO. For big technology risks or unknowns, this means assigning a dev team member to research the issue at hand. The person assigned should be ready to report on the action item [...]

Tips for Effective Backlog Grooming – Part 2

Tips for Effective Backlog Grooming In my tips articles, I try to describe highly effective ways to fulfill the Scrum framework. The Scrum framework intentionally leaves holes that are opportunities for teams to fulfill the framework in the way that is best for a particular team’s circumstances. The Scrum Guide defines the Scrum framework, and [...]

Tips for Effective Backlog Grooming – Part 1

Executive Summary In a previous article, I discuss the answer to the question of Why do Product Backlog Grooming?. In this article, I discuss some tips for how to do effective backlog grooming. The primary benefits of backlog grooming are increased productivity and increased understanding/quality. Backlog grooming can be a little difficult at first when [...]

Why do Product Backlog Grooming?

Intro Who likes long meetings? As a Scrum Coach, I ask this question of teams new to Scrum. I ask it mostly in jest, but also as an inoculation against people who will inevitably complain about lengthy Scrum meetings when first implementing Scrum. Obviously I turn it around on them. “I hate long meetings too, [...]

Best Practice: Look to the Scrum Guide *First*

Short Story: When teams struggle with Scrum, it is my strong opinion that they should look *first* to the Scrum Guide for guidance. (Or *look back* to the Scrum Guide, if they are an experienced team) Long story: A more complete way of saying this is: When teams struggle(whether they be beginner or experienced), it [...]

The Bradley User Story Maturity Model (Version 2.0)

I received some really great feedback on the first rendition of my User Story Maturity Model, so I’ve updated it to reflect that feedback.  I named it the “Bradley” User Story Maturity Model because I don’t want anyone getting the impression that this is some sort of official thing. It’s my own creation, for better [...]

A User Story Maturity Model

Summary In this article, I describe a User Story Maturity Model to help teams assess their usage of the practice and identify areas for improvement. You won’t find this anywhere else, because this model is a Charles Bradley original. I base this model on the most credible User Story literature as well as on my [...]