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USER STORY SLICING GUIDELINES & BEST PRACTICES
Slicing in Agile software engineering refers to the practice of breaking down larger user stories or features into smaller, more manageable pieces called slices. The goal of slicing is to create smaller units of work that can be completed and delivered independently, allowing for quicker feedback, reduced risk, and increased flexibility. In the context of cycle time, smaller units of work have shorter cycle time. The thinner you slice, the shorter your cycle time will be. Example of User Story Slicing Consider a user story like “As a user, I want to be able to search for products on the website.” This could be sliced into smaller increments such as:
- Slice 1: Implement a basic search input field on the homepage.
- Slice 2: Enable searching by product name.
- Slice 3: Implement filtering options for search results. Each of these slices delivers a usable increment of functionality, and the entire feature is gradually built by completing these slices. Techniques for Slicing Several techniques can be used for slicing user stories or features into smaller, manageable pieces. These techniques help teams break down
larger tasks into incremental deliverables that provide value to the end-users. If you write the user story using the Gherkin format (Given, When, Then), each acceptance criterion in the user story may serve as an independent and smaller sliced user story (refer to this resource for further insights on the acceptance criteria format). Here are some common and recommended slicing techniques:
- Functional Slicing (Basic to Complex): Identify specific user functionalities within a larger feature and implement them incrementally. For example, if building a user registration system, the first slice might focus on basic user registration without additional features.
- Workflow Slicing (Step by Step): Break down a feature based on the steps in a workflow. Each slice represents one step in the workflow. For example, in an e-commerce system, slicing the “checkout” feature might involve implementing steps like adding items to the cart, entering shipping information, and processing payment as separate slices.
- Data Slicing (Basic to Complex): Focus on specific data elements or types. For instance, in a reporting feature, one slice might involve displaying basic data, while subsequent slices add more detailed or complex data components.
It’s not uncommon for teams to assert, “This use case cannot be sliced.” However, in the majority of cases, slicing is feasible. If, despite employing the techniques mentioned earlier, you still find a use case resisting slicing, consider delving into the technical aspects of its implementation. Identifying where the technical heavy lifting occurs can often reveal opportunities for slicing. Occasionally, the result of slicing is a leading user story that holds infrastructure preparations, rather than representing an actual use case. This is a common pitfall in slicing strategy. In such instances, I suggest binding the smallest use case to this infrastructure-building activity, even if it appears somewhat trivial. For instance, a team building a new website page requiring the creation of a microservice behind the scenes decided to slice out the initial service building as a user story. However, this user story lacked inherent use case value. After thought, the team appended a simple use case to it — displaying an (almost) empty web page. While seemingly insignificant, this slice serves as a tangible demonstration to the product manager upon completion. Beyond technical considerations, the subsequent question emerges: is the slice delivering customer value? It’s crucial to recognize that not every user story may be deployed and released to customers, yet that doesn’t negate its value. My perspective on value turns around whether a user story can be showcased to a product manager, garnering feedback that can inform adjustments to subsequent backlog user
stories. This iterative feedback loop, even when certain stories remain internal, enhances the overall quality and relevance of the delivered product. In the domain of agile development, the true magic lies in maximizing the amount of work not done (see Agile Manifesto principles). Embracing incremental feedback collection empowers us to fine-tune our course toward the envisioned product. While some may perceive slicing as entailing additional effort due to necessary refactoring and retesting, this notion holds true only in a hypothetical scenario in a domain without uncertainties. In reality, during the era of the Waterfall approach, characterized by extensive planning and delivery, only a mere 11% of projects achieved success. Thus, the essence lies in embracing the feedback loop, a cornerstone of agile practice. This loop serves as a pipe for both technological and business insights. For instance, as a team starts developing the initial slice, they gain valuable insights into required APIs, internal component interactions, and other technical aspects. Armed with this knowledge, subsequent slices benefit from streamlined implementation, resulting in time savings for the overall delivery. Similarly, from a business standpoint, early increments allow product managers to refine subsequent iterations, acknowledging the empirical reality that requirements evolve upon firsthand interaction (i.e. live demonstration of working software). Thus, slicing requirements in an iterative approach allows continuous feedback, which is a key factor towards success. Slicing a Technical Task
Slicing is not reserved for user stories and technical tasks alone; it is equally relevant when dealing with research spikes. The last thing any team wants is to struggle with a research spike that extends across a few sprints, interfering with progress and potentially delaying product delivery timelines. Research spikes, typically serving as a foundational step for the implementation of subsequent user stories, demand a strategic approach to slicing, emphasizing conciseness and focus. Efficiently slicing research spikes is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that these investigative parts remain manageable and don’t evolve into unmanageable activities that risk the overall development cadence. A research spike, ideally, should be concise and focused, with the goal of completing it within the span of half a sprint. This not only aligns with the principles of agility and iterative development but also allows for swift integration of insights into the subsequent phases of implementation. By keeping research spikes small and focused, teams can easily gather the necessary information and insights required for informed decision- making without sacrificing valuable time. This approach not only prevents bottlenecks in the development pipeline but also fosters a responsive and adaptive development environment. Conclusion In the dynamic domain of Agile software development, the practice of slicing user stories, tasks, features, and research spikes emerges as a
cornerstone strategy for achieving efficiency, adaptability, and continuous improvement. By following the principles of breaking down larger entities into smaller, actionable components, teams empower themselves to deliver tangible value at an accelerated pace. Slicing user stories ensures that each piece contributes meaningfully to the overall product, aligning with end-user needs and expectations. Technical tasks, when sliced strategically, not only expedite the development process but also enhance risk mitigation and contribute to the principle of continuous delivery. Research spikes, often the gateway to informed decision-making, benefit from a focused and time-bound approach to slicing. Keeping these investigative activities short ensures that the knowledge gained can quickly influence subsequent development phases, preventing long delays and fostering an environment of continuous learning. As we navigate the complexity of Agile development, let us carry forward the understanding that slicing is not just a technique but a mindset — an approach that values incremental progress, adaptability, and the persistent approach of delivering value. Whether it’s user stories, tasks, features, or research spikes, the practice of slicing is a versatile tool that empowers teams to navigate the complex landscape of software development with agility.
