User Stories are a fantastic way of elaborating what’s needed in order for a system to meet a business need. The advice to make stories “thin” is confusing, though, since thin is relative to what you already know. Come and learn what we really mean by thin and to exercise your storywriting skills!

Most of us have heard the mantra, “Slice your User Stories as thin as possible!” In my travels as a coach since the early 2000’s, however, I’ve rarely seen stories that truly are thin. What are these rare creatures? Why don’t I see more of them? Having good User Stories is crucial to the success of teams using them as the means for determining what needs to be built to fulfill a customer’s need. Having thinly sliced stories is even more important!

This workshop provides a level set on what stories are and explores why slicing stories very thin is important, what benefits thin slicing provides, and how to do it. Through a combination of examples and practical application in the session, you’ll leave with slicing techniques that you can apply at your very next planning or refinement session.

I’ve been working with and teaching groups how to work with User Stories for almost 20 years. In fact, I learned about stories from the people who invented them! I’ve given this session before both formally at conferences and informally at clients, and the response has universally been positive.

Required for the session is a projector and microphone. I will supply sticky notes and markers.