Specification Workshops

Getting the specs out of user stories

Inspired by Gojko Adzic

Kishen Simbhoedatpanday

E: ksimbhoedatpanday@xebia.com

T: KishenPanday

Do we really understand User Stories?

B-2 Stealth bomber Crashed – Loss of $1.4 billion

“The aircraft actually performed as it was designed.

In other words, all the systems were functioning normally.”

“The human factor of communicating critical information

was a contributing factor to this mishap."

Chinese Whispers Game

1) One person to think up a phrase.

2) Whispers it to the player who is next, and that player should make as

much effort as possible to hear that phrase.

3) Next player whisper what they think was said to the next player, and so

on,

4) Last player shouts out the phrase so that everybody can hear.

Chinese Whispers

Are obvious things really obvious?

How many points does the

start have?

Passing knowledge

Challenge requirements

Specification Workshop to the Rescue

Agile Acceptance Testing

Specification Workshop

Sprint Planning

Development

Sprint Review

Communicate examples

Examples

TestsverifyRequirements

Agile Acceptance Testing

1. Use real-world examples

2. Select set of examples as specification & acceptance

test suite

3. Automate verification of acceptance tests

4. Focus software development on acceptance tests

5. Use acceptance tests to facilitate discussion about future change requests

Automate on different levels

UI

Integration

Unit

Keep workshop focused

Here’s what I think we face

Here’s what I think we should do

Here’s why

Here’s what we should keep our eye on

Now talk to me

Tips during Specification Workshops

Building shared understanding of the domain

Point out different examples

Brush off vague examples, be precise

Flush out additional cases before development starts

Tips during Specification Workshops

Other participants have understood correctly

Workshops ends only when everyone involved agrees

Build single project jargon

Get customers on board!

Good acceptance tests have these properties

Specific: explicitly defined

Measurable: observable

Achievable: realistic scenario

Relevant: related to user story

Time-bound: observed instantly

Building & Maintaining Shared understanding

Being Agile

Individuals and interactions

Working software

Customer collaboration

Responding to change

Being stiff

Processes and tools

Comprehensive Doc.

Contract negotiation

Following a plan

More about

Collaborative requirements & Specifications

What would you rather be?

Ferryman Bridge builder

Thanks for listening