User Stories for Cross-Component Teams

User Stories for Cross-Component Teams 33

Posted by Dean Wampler Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:53:00 GMT

I’m working on an Agile Transition for a large organization. They are organized into component teams. They implement features by forming temporary feature teams with representatives from each of the relevant components, usually one developer per component.

Doing User Stories for such cross-component features can be challenging.

Now, it would be nice if the developers just pair-programmed with each other, ignoring their assigned component boundaries, but we’re not quite there yet. Also, there are other issues we are addressing, such as the granularity of feature definitions, etc., etc. Becoming truly agile will take time.

Given where we are, it’s just not feasible to estimate a single story point value for each cross-component user story, because the work for each component varies considerably. A particular story might be the equivalent of 1 point for the UI part, 8 points for the middle-tier part, 2 points for the database part, etc.

So, what we’re doing is treating the user story as an “umbrella”, with individual component stories underneath. We’re estimating and tracking the points for each component story. The total points for the user story is the sum of the component story points, plus any extra we decide is needed for the integration and final acceptance testing work.

This model allows us to track the work more closely, as long as we remember that component points mean nothing from the point of view of delivering customer value!

I prefer this approach to documenting tasks, because it keeps the focus on delivering value to the client of each story. For the component stories, the client will be another component.

Automated Acceptance Tests for Component Stories

Just as for user stories, we are defining automated acceptance tests for each component. We’re using JUnit for them, since we don’t need a customer-friendly specification format, like FitNesse or RSpec.

This is also a (sneaky…) way to get the developers from different components to pair together. Say for example that we have a component story for the midtier and the UI is the client. The UI developer and the midtier developer pair to produce the the acceptance criteria for the story.

For each component story, the pair of programmers produce the following:

JUnit tests that define the acceptance criteria for the component story.
One or more interfaces that will be used by the client of the component. They will also be implemented by concrete classes in the component.
A test double that passes the JUnit tests and allows the client to move forward while the component feature is being implemented.

In a sense, the “contract” of the component story is the interfaces, which specify the static structure, and the JUnit tests, which specify the dynamic behavior of the feature.

This model of pair-programming the component interface should solve the common, inefficient communication problems when component interactions need to be changed. You know the scenario; a client component developer or manager tells a server component developer or manager that a change is needed. A developer (probably a different one…) on the server component team makes up an interface, checks it into version control, and waits for feedback from the client team. Meanwhile, the server component developer starts implementing the changes.

A few days before the big drop to QA for final integration testing, the server component developer realizes that the interface is missing some essential features. At the same time, the client component developer finally gets around to using the new interface and discovers a different set of missing essential features. Hilarity ensues…

We’re just getting started with this approach, but so far it is proving to be an effective way to organize our work and to be more efficient.

Posted in Dean's Deprecations, Agile Methods
Tags acceptance, agile, components, stories, Tests
Meta 33 comments, permalink, rss, atom

Comments

Leave a response

Sebastian Kübeck about 13 hours later:

I think that under the given circumstances you are doing much better than you might perceive! ;-) To your User-Story-Bundles: Mike Cohn calls those “Themes”. They are way smaller than epics but contain multiple stories. Years ago, I also practiced this kind of pair programming. My college was sitting in front of me developing the front-end and asking me to implement features at the back-end. Was great fun! Finally: Be careful that the interfaces do not get too bloated. Interface design should not get incinsistent under the pressure of feature request!
Jason Yip 15 days later:

I’ve recently encountered a similar situation though I would call it a situation of multiple sub-systems more than multiple components. It was not at all like splitting along tiers.

Used the same pattern of having different points for each team that was part of the aggregate story. The points had no real relation to each other though and each team had their own velocity.

Didn’t actually notice any particular problems with integration between subsystems with representatives on the project team. More issues occurred though with subsystems with no representatives co-located.
Wmv to ipad about 1 year later:

so whta?
DVD to HTC Converter about 1 year later:

gfn dh thank you for sharing the post ,it is really good PDF to BMP Converter is the

excellent combination of super high conversion speed and perfect output quality. At the same time, PDF to BMP Converter supports

various output formats like: JPEG, TIFF, TGA, RLE, EMF, WMF and so on.
animal charms about 1 year later:

I had gone much.I couldn t judge that I fell in adore with links of london heart bracelets That was one of my big changes. heart bracelet After all, I didn’t like ornaments at all in the launch. Since I fell in dear with links of london Sweetie necklaces , I had realized that an instance of links of london Sweetie rings could bring me much more links of london watch charms
bag factory about 1 year later:

ndaries, but we’re not quite there yet. Also, there are other issues we are addressing, such as the granularity of feature definitions, etc., etc. Becoming tr
Indonesian Teak Furniture: Indoor Teak Furniture, Teak Garden Furniture, Teak Table, Teak Chairs about 1 year later:

Thank you a lot for information! I didn`t know about it.
oxpdffr over 2 years later:

Texte en PDF Convertisseur est un logiciel qui permet de convertir des fichiers Texte en format PDF. En plus la fonction essentielle-convertir en PDF, Texte en PDF Convertisseur est capable de fusionner des fichiers Texte et puis les convertir, de protéger votre fichier par les mots de passe. Télécharger gratuitement Texte en PDF Convertisseur et expérimenter ce logiciel.
Pandora over 2 years later:

and he showed me a function he was writing. In the midst of the function I saw this
iPhone to Mac Transfer over 2 years later:

We, how can we to be a good programmer, we should study alll the time, never lose our heart, keep good habit, learn from other people. that’s it.
pandora over 2 years later:

The best thing about buying on the web is you get to discover everything your gifts, where in a store it is usually tough to kind nevertheless their stock to discover the right thing. Moms love gifts that are unique. Try to present your mommy employing a gift that’s customized, just as one example a ring utilizing their identify imprinted within it. Gold bands alllow for excellent items simply because they immortalize your mom?¡¥s name in rare metal. A new platinum necklace along with a durant produces a great products for your mother, and products which are usually disregarded .
pandora over 2 years later:

Had a great response practically accomplished, ended up being evidence studying that & acquired wiped out through an ad regarding Shipwreck beans. Been age groups since I checked out within the following & still left since the huge site changes lsat summer time made participating via dial-up Distressing. I observe everything is quite similar. Sleepless & sprang over through the Etsy discussion boards that didn’t grab me tonight… Spend time hiding on the discussion boards & perusing items available & lately offered. There had been around 197,500 necklaces listings after i opened up my personal go shopping (NGHDesigns) in late September. There are gone 300,Thousand today. I’ve acquired some achievement & get pleasure from engaging there, however ‘m happy that’s not the way we preserve a ceiling around each of our brain. Some sellers prosper presently there, other folks by no means offer a thing. Even probably the most incredible goods tend to be smothered inside the ton in mere minutes.
http://www.blacktowhiteiphone4.com over 2 years later:

Apple’s launch of the iPhone 4 white has seen the greatest excitement for a new phone ever, with HD video recording, a super high-res screen and ridiculously slim dimensions, it’s not hard to see why its so popular in the world.
Criminal Check over 2 years later:

More issues occurred though with subsystems with no representatives co-located.
Low Carb Snacks over 2 years later:

I enjoyed reading & I must say that I was very impressed with your writing skills. Keep up the good work it’s very refreshing to see someone like you :)
Criminal Records over 2 years later:

This model allows us to track the work more closely, as long as we remember that component points mean nothing from the point of view of delivering customer value!
Jones over 2 years later:

11
Matteo over 2 years later:

13

cheap true religion los angeles over 2 years later:

hni

The straight jeans trousers mens jeans on salefolded up look, put the pants into the pant low price true religion jeansfor summer and fall,

Pumps over 3 years later:

I was very delighted to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this brilliant read.I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Dan York over 3 years later:

I think i’m going to agree with you on this. We share the same mindset. roofing contractor venice
picturi si tablouri de vanzare over 3 years later:

These teams are line an art form. I believe the most important point is to have a correct administration for all these data.
okey oyunu oyna over 3 years later:

thank you so much.

internette görüntülü olarak okey oyunu oyna, gerçek kisilerle tanis, turnuva heyecanini yasa.
okey oyunu oyna over 3 years later:

nice nice nice. Thanks

internette görüntülü olarak okey oyunu oyna, gerçek kisilerle tanis, turnuva heyecanini yasa.
handbags for sale over 3 years later:

I am too. Thanks. :-)
beats by dr dre headphones over 3 years later:

I attempted these beats by dr dre studio out in several genres thinking about which i listen to an eclectic mix Beats By Dr Dre. a washing cloth as well as the manual. Do not purchase any beats by dr dre solo purple products inside the internet unless you’re getting from an Authorized internet DealerBeats By Dre Just Solo. We are reliable provide good beats by dr dre pro black by reduced price.
beats by dre store over 3 years later:

beats by dre sale cheap beats by dreJurassic Jurassic age have a human or not human era dinosaur extinction?

1 chase crush. Me: “please be my girlfriend?” She: “I think we better be friends.” Over 30 seconds, I asked: “My girlfriend will you do?”
Diablo3 over 3 years later:

it needs a bokmark so i can come back to it later ,nice stuff
wellensteyn jacken over 3 years later:

Wellensteyn-Jacken Wellensteyn werden getragen von qualitätsbewussten Menschen,Wellensteyn Jacken für die Stil und Outdoor-Bekleidung keinen Gegensatz darstellt. So sind die funktionalen Jacken mittlerweile Alltag auf den Straßen Jacken Von Wellensteyn deutscher und internationaler Großstädte.
herren winterjacken over 3 years later:

I am carrying this bag myself,Herren Winterjacken when I wear very girly stuff, mine is smaller than large,herren winter still can fit lap top and all I need…I had been looking for it for several years until I found it 3 years ago in UK.Belstaff Jacken I saw it for the first time in the movie “Interpreter”, carried by Nicole Kidmann, and then in “I, Legend” carried by Will Smith.http://www.herrenwinterjacken.com/
Tips For Bowling over 3 years later:

Elvis said, Miss Minnie, do you think it would be out of order if I go up and speak to General Stewart? I’ve always been such a fan of his. So Elvis went up to speak to the Stewarts.
christian louboutin over 3 years later:

Elvis said, Miss Minnie, do you think it would be out of order if I go up and speak to General Stewart? I’ve always been such a fan of his. So Elvis went up to speak to the Stewarts.
Backup iPhone sms over 3 years later:

Well. try most of the other ways doesn’t work for me and I learn about this here and find the best method to solve this problem and it really good.

Mentor	twitter id
Uncle Bob	unclebobmartin
Brett Schuchert	schuchert
Michael Feathers	mfeathers
Bob Koss	bob_koss