Steps to create user stories

UX designers follow a simple, step-by-step process to create user stories.

Step 1 : Refer to user personas

UX designers utilize user personas as the foundation to create user stories.

• After creating user personas based on detailed research, they review and familiarize themselves with the different types of users who interact with the digital product.
• Next, they create a spreadsheet where each persona is listed in a different row, leaving space in front of each persona to write their corresponding story.

Example:

let’s create a simplified example of how UX designers might use user personas to create user stories for a fictional e-commerce website selling outdoor gear.

First, let’s create two user personas based on research:

1. Adventure Annie

• Demographic: Female, 28 years old
• Background: Enthusiastic hiker and camper
• Goals: Find high-quality outdoor gear for her upcoming camping trip
• Pain Points: Limited time for shopping, wants reliable and durable products

2. Nature Nate

• Demographic: Male, 35 years old
• Background: Avid backpacker and mountaineer
• Goals: Purchase technical equipment for his next climbing expedition
• Pain Points: Needs expert advice on gear selection, wants products optimized for performance

Now, let’s create user stories for each persona:

User Stories for Adventure Annie:

1. As Adventure Annie, I want to quickly find camping gear suitable for my upcoming trip, so I can spend more time planning my adventure.
2. As Adventure Annie, I want to read detailed product descriptions and reviews, so I can make informed decisions about the gear I purchase.
3. As Adventure Annie, I want to filter products by features like durability and weather-resistance, so I can find gear that meets my specific needs.
4. As Adventure Annie, I want to see recommendations for essential camping gear bundles, so I can easily purchase everything I need in one go.

User Stories for Nature Nate:

1. As Nature Nate, I want to consult with gear experts via live chat or email, so I can get personalized recommendations for my climbing expedition.
2. As Nature Nate, I want to compare technical specifications of different products, so I can choose gear optimized for performance.
3. As Nature Nate, I want to see user-generated photos and videos of gear being used in challenging outdoor conditions, so I can assess its durability and functionality.
4. As Nature Nate, I want to receive notifications about new product releases and sales, so I can stay updated on the latest gear innovations.

These user stories provide a framework for UX designers to prioritize features and functionality that cater to the needs and preferences of each user persona. They can then use this information to design intuitive interfaces and seamless user experiences for the e-commerce website.

Step 2 : Identify user goals and needs

Once the UX designer lists all user personas in a spreadsheet, they identify the specific goals, needs, and pain points of each user persona. They also focus on understanding what the user is trying to accomplish and what challenges they’re facing.

Example :

let’s break down the user goals and needs for each persona based on the example provided:

Adventure Annie:

User Goals:

1. Find high-quality outdoor gear for her upcoming camping trip.
2. Make informed decisions about the gear she purchases.
3. Save time on shopping so she can focus more on planning her adventure.
4. Ensure that the products she buys are durable and reliable.

User Needs:

1. Easy and intuitive navigation to find camping gear quickly.
2. Detailed product descriptions and reviews to make informed decisions.
3. Filtering options to narrow down product choices based on specific features like durability and weather-resistance.
4. Recommendations for essential camping gear bundles to simplify the shopping process.

Nature Nate:

User Goals:

1. Purchase technical equipment for his next climbing expedition.
2. Receive expert advice on gear selection to ensure optimal performance.
3. Evaluate product durability and functionality in challenging outdoor conditions.
4. Stay updated on the latest gear innovations and sales.

User Needs:

1. Access to gear experts via live chat or email for personalized recommendations.
2. Detailed comparison tools to assess technical specifications of different products.
3. User-generated content like photos and videos demonstrating gear performance in outdoor settings.
4. Notifications about new product releases and sales to stay informed about the latest gear offerings.

Identifying these user goals and needs allows UX designers to tailor the design and functionality of the e-commerce website to better serve the specific requirements of Adventure Annie and Nature Nate, ultimately enhancing their overall user experience.

Step 3 : Write statements in the role-action-benefit format

Finally, to draft the user stories, the UX designers use the role-action-benefit format. At this step, they focus on:

• Creating specific and user-centered stories for each user persona
• Keeping the user stories brief and focused on the user’s perspective

Example :

let’s frame statements for Adventure Annie and Nature Nate using the Role-Action-Benefit format:

Adventure Annie:

1. Role: Adventure Annie
   Action: Quickly finds camping gear for her upcoming trip
   Benefit: Saves time and can focus more on planning her adventure
2. Role: Adventure Annie
   Action: Reads detailed product descriptions and reviews
   Benefit: Makes informed decisions about the gear she purchases
3. Role: Adventure Annie
   Action: Filters products by features like durability and weather-resistance
   Benefit: Finds gear that meets her specific needs and preferences
4. Role: Adventure Annie
   Action: Receives recommendations for essential camping gear bundles Benefit: Easily purchases everything she needs in one go, streamlining the shopping process

Nature Nate:

1. Role: Nature Nate
   Action: Consults with gear experts via live chat or email
   Benefit: Receives personalized recommendations for his climbing expedition, ensuring optimal gear selection
2. Role: Nature Nate
   Action: Compares technical specifications of different products
   Benefit: Makes informed decisions about gear optimized for performance
3. Role: Nature Nate
   Action: Views user-generated photos and videos of gear in challenging outdoor conditions
   Benefit: Evaluates product durability and functionality before making a purchase
4. Role: Nature Nate
   Action: Receives notifications about new product releases and sales Benefit: Stays updated on the latest gear innovations and can take advantage of discounts for his outdoor adventures

By following these steps, UX designers create comprehensive and user-focused user stories. This helps them in prioritizing the user’s perspective, which ultimately leads to the creation of a user-centered digital product.

Reflection: What do you think?

Put yourself in the shoes of a UX designer who is working on a fitness app. After conducting detailed research, you and your team identified three key user personas: gym enthusiast, yoga practitioner, and outdoor runner. Now, you need to create user stories for each persona to address their unique needs.

What’s a possible user story for the gym enthusiast persona?

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