Lean User Stories: Minimalist Backlog Refinement Template
Stories with 20 custom fields slow down refinement. Minimalist template: Title, Description, Acceptance Criteria, Estimate. Nothing else required.
Essential Fields Only
- Title: One-line summary
- Description: User story format (As a/I want/So that) + context
- Acceptance Criteria: 3-7 testable conditions
- Story Points: Estimate
Optional Fields (Only If Needed)
- Dependencies (if blocking or blocked)
- Design mockups (if UI work)
- Technical notes (if non-obvious implementation)
Everything else (priority, labels, sprint assignment) happens outside refinement.