📚User stories are short, simple statements told from the perspective of a user, explaining how they will use a system.
🔍Product backlog is a list of things to add or improve in a product, and each item is a product backlog item (PBI).
💡Epics are big user stories, describing a significant functionality or feature.
🎯Themes are groups of related user stories, usually with a common goal or objective.
🔧Features are product backlog items that are big enough to be released to users.
What is the difference between a user story and a product backlog item?
—A user story is a specific type of product backlog item, representing a short, user-centric statement. Product backlog items encompass all types of items on a product backlog, not just user stories.
How are epics and themes related?
—Epics and themes are both ways of grouping related user stories. An epic is a larger, more substantial user story, while a theme is a collection of user stories that share a common objective or functionality.
Is there a strict hierarchy between epics, themes, and features?
—No, there is no strict hierarchy between these terms. They are more like tags or labels that can be applied to backlog items for convenience. The size and classification of an item depend on the context and needs of the project.
Why is a complicated user story hierarchy unnecessary?
—A complicated hierarchy can create confusion and unnecessary complexity. Tags and labels can serve the same purpose in organizing and categorizing backlog items without the need for a rigid structure.
Are there any other terms used in agile that are similar to epics and themes?
—Some organizations or tool vendors may use terms like sagas or initiatives to refer to larger groups of user stories. However, the specific terminology can vary, and it's important to use the terms that work best for your team and organization.
00:01In this video, the author explains the core concepts behind agile terms like stories, epics, themes, and features.
03:23The author emphasizes that these terms should be considered as labels or tags that can be applied to backlog items, rather than a strict hierarchy.
04:33User stories are short statements from the perspective of a user, while epics are big user stories representing significant functionality.
05:23Themes are groups of related user stories with a common objective, and features are big enough to be released to users.
06:52A complicated user story hierarchy is unnecessary, and tags or labels can be used to organize and categorize backlog items effectively.
