A user story is generally a one-sentence story told from a persona you created to inspire and inform design decisions. This sentence is fictional and allows you to be creative by telling a story based on the needs of your users. Another way to look at user stories is by thinking of them as checklists for the product you are designing. Does the fictional one-sentence story address your user needs and wants?
You can learn more about personas by clicking here.
The way to create a user story is by having three main objectives that should be answered.
Who, What, and Why.
The following format is used: As a [type of user(WHO?), I want to [action[WHAT?], so that [benefit(WHY?).
- Type of user?
- The “action” that the user hopes will happen?
- The “benefit” the user would receive if the action happens?
The most effective user stories are short, impactful, to the point, and with a clear action and benefit.
User stories allow the design team to put themselves in the shoes of users. As UX designers, the user always comes first so it is very important to understand their point of view.
Example user stories using a fictional grocery delivery app:
“As a mother of four, I want the convenience of having my grocery delivered, so that I can spend more time with my children.”
“As a busy executive, I want to track my groceries, so that I can have an estimated time when they will be delivered.”