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User Stories – Part 5

Estimating User Stories

One of the principles of self-managing teams in Agile Scrum is working collaboratively with the Product Owner to effectively deliver the highest priority features. Scrum teams are guided by the Scrum Master and measure the velocity that a team has in delivering features during each sprint. Velocity is a key metric calculated at the end of the first sprint that determines the number of features that a scrum team has the capacity to deliver during each sprint.

During the product backlog prioritization and subsequent sprint planning sessions, the team will provide estimates for user stories and related tasks. The Scrum Master is the facilitator to guide the team in using Agile principles during the estimation process. Those Scrum Masters with technical knowledge can also be a source of reason by using velocity metrics against the general optimism of team members.

The estimation of user stories starts with the product backlog refinement ceremony and continues through the life of each sprint. The Product Owner, Scrum Master and Scrum Team Members lead the three key roles in estimation. Stakeholders can and should be included in limited numbers in the backlog ceremonies when there are conversations that are best held with the impacted individuals or end users.

An estimate should be inclusive of all tasks to be performed and should be provided by all scrum team members. Estimates, the acceptance criteria and the Definition of Done (DoD) are the basis for approval of features during the sprint review.

Product Backlog Prioritization

The product backlog prioritization ceremony is primarily lead by the Product Owner. The Scrum Master supports these efforts by facilitating the discussions to honor Agile scrum principles. The objective of the product backlog prioritization ceremony is not only to refine features into epics and user stories but, to also get buy-in from all scrum team members. Participating in a product backlog prioritization ceremony sets the stage for efficient sprint planning meetings and gives all team members ownership in the larger vision of the project.

59 Seconds Training Video

Master of Agile – Agile Scrum Developer With 59 Seconds Agile (Video Training Course)

Introductory Offer: Free Course

Master of Agile – Agile Scrum Developer With 59 Seconds Agile (Video Training Course)

What is this course?

This ‘Master of Agile – Agile Scrum Developer With 59 Seconds Agile (Video Training Course)’ provides an in-depth understanding of the Agile Scrum Developer roles and responsibilities

You will explore the Agile Scrum project life-cycle, including how an Agile User Story is created, to how we know when it is ‘done’

This course is aimed at those with or without prior knowledge and experience of the Agile values and principles

During this course you will learn the tools needed to succeed as an Agile Scrum Developer

What will you learn?

You will gain an in-depth understanding of the Agile Scrum Developer roles and responsibilities, and you will be able to

  • Fully understand the role of the Agile Scrum Developer
  • Understand the roles involved in an Agile project
  • Create an effective Product Backlog
  • Effectively participate in Scrum Meetings such as the Daily Stand-up, Sprint Review and Retrospective
  • Identify the roles involves in the Scrum Team

What topics are covered within this course

You will cover the following topics during this course:

  1. An Introduction to Agile Project Management (Developer)
  2. The 12 Agile Principles (Developer)
  3. Introduction to Scrum (Developer)
  4. Scrum Project Roles (Developer)
  5. The Agile Project Life-cycle (Developer)
  6. Acceptance Criteria and the Prioritised Product Backlog (Developer)
  7. Initiating an Agile Project (Developer)
  8. Forming the Scrum Team (Developer)
  9. Epics and Personas (Developer)
  10. User Stories and Tasks (Developer)
  11. Implementation of Scrum (Developer)
  12. The Daily Scrum (Developer)
  13. The Product Backlog (Developer)
  14. Scrum Charts (Developer)
  15. Review and Retrospective (Developer)
  16. Validating a Sprint (Developer)
  17. Retrospective Sprint (Developer)
  18. Releasing the Product (Developer)
  19. The Communication Plan (Developer)
  20. Formal Business Sign-off (Developer)

Our Book Recommendations

We found these books great for finding out more information on Agile Scrum:

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