BACK: Step 3

3.1 Create a user story

Write down the precise reason why your users would want to use your tool. This is called a 'user story'.

A ‘user story’ describes three things:

the person using the tool
what the person needs the tool to do
why the user needs it

Use this format:

As a… [who is the user?]
I need/want/expect to… [what does the user want to do?]
So that… [why does the user want to do this?]

example

‘As a [journalist at a national newspaper],

I want to [view structured, accurate information about incidents where politicians have been involved in corruption]

so that [I can write better reports that are more likely to lead to action]’.

case study

"Treating myself as a typical test user was a mistake. Testing [it] with users before the launch would have pointed out many of the flaws." – A participant in our research, reflecting on the fact that few people used the platform they had developed.

resources

- Here are six practical steps, inspired by Aspiration Tech, to help you put these theories into practice when planning your next tech project.

- Aptivate has developed a series of guidelines for User Experience workshop facilitators through a technology project discovery process. This guide is particularly relevant for those who are able to organise an in-person workshop, but can also be used to learn about the development of personas, the creation of user stories, and the prioritisation of user needs.

- Tactical Tech's Know Your Audience guide has useful steps for finding out more about your users.

- Keystone Accountability's Learning from Constituents offers detailed guidelines on how to get information about your users, from surveys to formal dialogue processes.

- The UK Government Digital Service's guide to writing user stories are also useful resources.

- Reboot has published a user's manual for user-driven open government programs.

Alidade

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

CONGRATULATIONS

3.1 Create a user story