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User Story Mapping Guide

A collaborative practice that guides us in organizing user stories to understand system functionality, identify gaps, and plan releases effectively.

The Structure

A story map arranges user stories into a useful model to help understand the functionality of the system, identify holes and omissions, and effectively plan holistic releases that deliver value to users and business with each release.

The Backbone (User Activities)
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User Tasks
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MVP Release
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How to Build It

  1. Frame the Journey: Identify the high-level activities a user takes (The Backbone). Arrange them left-to-right chronologically.
  2. Break it Down: Under each activity, list the specific tasks or steps the user performs.
  3. Add Details: Write user stories for each task. Keep them short.
  4. Prioritize (Slice): Draw horizontal lines to separate releases. Move critical stories above the line for the MVP (Minimum Viable Product).