How to save SAFe

The map / Team / Story

Team · Backlog item · Fits in one sprint

Story

A small, testable slice of user value, finished within a sprint.

01What it's for

A Story is a small slice of user value that a team can finish within one sprint. Its acceptance criteria and the Definition of Done are its measurement.

02What it turns into on the old system

The Story becomes a task assigned by a manager, or a requirement written by an analyst. Story points become hours.

03How you notice

  • Stories are named after tasks: “build API”, “update table”.
  • Acceptance criteria are missing.
  • Stories carry over sprint after sprint.
  • Velocity is used to compare teams.

04How to make it work

Write stories that are independent, valuable and testable, and small enough to finish.

Make acceptance criteria and the Definition of Done the measure of done.

The team decides how to build it.