Coursera Answers

Activity Create a Product Backlog

by Niyander

Activity: Create a Product Backlog

1. To pass this graded quiz, you must receive at least 80%, or 4 out of 5 points, by completing the activity and answering corresponding quiz questions. You can learn about the graded and practice items in the Course Overview.
 
Activity Overview
In this activity, you will write user stories and create acceptance criteria for each story based on customer needs. These user stories, collected under one epic, will form the basis of a Product Backlog.
 
Note: Throughout this course, you will complete tasks normally done by others (like the Development Team or Product Owner). Even if you don’t perform them yourself, it is important that you understand these processes.
Be sure to complete this activity before moving on. The next course item will provide you with a completed exemplar to compare to your own work. You will not be able to access the exemplar until you have completed this activity.
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Scenario
Review the scenario below. Then complete the step-by-step-instructions.
Imagine you are overseeing the development and launch of Virtual Verde, Office Green’s new product line. Virtual Verde’s mission is to make working from home more enjoyable by offering desk plants for home office use. New customers recently received the first batch of plants.
 
As a next step, your team had planned to introduce new product offerings to the Virtual Verde catalog—starting with Bonsai trees. However, a customer survey discovered that 70% of the new customers had difficulty caring for their plants. Many of the plants wilted and died within a month. This information inspired the team to develop new offerings and companion products to help new owners care for their plants.
 
From the survey, Office Green learned that they can create value for their customers by making it easy to:
  • Find out which plants are easiest to care for
  • Access care instructions easily
  • Have the right tools to care for their plants
  • Remember when to water their plants
  • Get expert help and advice quickly
  • Have a hassle-free way to return their orders
You will work with your team to create user stories that will help them build solutions to address these customer needs, and add them to the Product Backlog. Your team has already added Bonsai tree user stories to the Backlog, but the new plant care stories have now become the top priority.
Note: In general, the Product Owner leads in prioritizing the Backlog and addressing new concerns. Anyone can work on user stories, but the Development Team typically gives feedback on them.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Access the template
To use the template for this course item, click the link below and select “Use Template.” 
Link to template: Product Backlog
OR
If you don’t have a Google account, you can download the template directly from the attachment below.
Step 2: Create six user stories
Using the Bonsai tree stories in the Backlog template as a model, create six new user stories—one to address each of the six customer needs from the scenario. Your user stories should follow this construction: 
 
As a <user role>, I want <this action> so that I can <get this value>. 
For the <user role> part of each story, consider what sort of person might have that specific customer need. They might be a potential customer, a new plant owner, or something else. Keep in mind that these stories should help customers who may not have much experience caring for plants.
For the <action> part of each user story, fill in the specific customer need. 
For the <value> part of each story, think about why your user might want to perform that particular action and how it will help them.
When completed, each story should express a customer need the team can work to fulfill. For example, imagine that a customer wants to learn about different styles of Bonsai cutting and shaping. A related user story might read:
“As a new Bonsai tree owner, I want to learn about different Bonsai styles so that I can pick the right one for my tree.” 
Step 3: Create acceptance criteria
Create at least two acceptance criteria for each story, and add them to the template. Remember that acceptance criteria help your team establish a Definition of Done. They represent the things your team needs to accomplish before they can consider the user story complete.
For example, the acceptance criteria for the Bonsai styles user story could include:
 
Create at least two acceptance criteria for each story, and add them to the template. Remember that acceptance criteria help your team establish a Definition of Done. They represent the things your team needs to accomplish before they can consider the user story complete.
 
For example, the acceptance criteria for the Bonsai styles user story could include:
 1) “Customers can access a guide to different styles (formal & informal upright, broom, cascade, etc.) on website”
 2) “Customers can take a quiz to match their trees to suitable styles”
 
Step 4: Check your stories against the I.N.V.E.S.T. criteria
Next, consult the I.N.V.E.S.T. framework to make sure your user stories are concise, specific, and actionable.
  • Independent: The story’s completion is not dependent on another story. 
  • Negotiable: There is room for negotiation and discussion about how to complete the story.
  • Valuable: Completing the user story will deliver value for the user role. 
  • Estimable: The Definition of Done must be clear so that the team can give the story an estimate.
  • Small: Each user story and the work necessary to complete it should fit within a planned Sprint. 
  • Testable: A test can be conducted to make sure the story meets the acceptance criteria (even if the test is not yet planned). 
You may not be able to account for all the I.N.V.E.S.T. criteria in this exercise, but you should try to meet as many as you can. If a story meets three or fewer criteria, consider revising it.
 Step 5: Title each user story
Create a title for each story and add it to the template. The titles should briefly describe the desired outcome for the user role, so the team can reference them quickly.
Step 6: Add an epic title
Create an epic title that can serve as a heading or a theme for all six stories—for example, “Plant Care Initiatives”—and add it to the Backlog template. 
Note: Keep in mind that a real Product Backlog would encompass all aspects of the project, including many different epics. For your reference, we have created a second epic as an example.

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What to Include in Your Response

Be sure to address the following elements in your completed Product Backlog:
  • The Backlog contains six user stories.
  • The stories follow the correct construction: “As a <user role> I want <this action> so that I can <get this value>.”
  • The stories follow the I.N.V.E.S.T. framework.
  • Each story has two pieces of acceptance criteria.
  • The acceptance criteria are actionable tasks for the Scrum Team.

Question 1)
Did you complete this activity?

  • Yes
  • N​o

Question 2)
Select the action that best completes the following user story:

“As a pet owner, I want to _____ so that my cat doesn’t get sick.

  • contact a poison control center
  • keep my plants in my office
  • purchase non-toxic plants
  • purchase outdoor plants

Question 3)
Consider the following user story: 

“As a potential customer, I want to find out which plants are easiest to care for so that I can purchase low-maintenance options.”

Which of the following pieces of acceptance criteria are appropriate for this story? Select all that apply.

  • Ability to bundle a plant care kit with each purchase
  • Ability to sort plants by “beginner,” “intermediate,” and “advanced”
  • Ability to search for plants with similar care needs
  • Ability to purchase higher-maintenance plants after gaining more experience

Question 4)
Which of the following user stories is complete and follows the correct structure?

  • “As a customer, I want to browse more varieties of flowering plants online.”
  • “As a new plant owner, I’m not sure how to keep my plant healthy but I want to learn.”
  • “As a plant owner, I want to use the best tools for trimming and pruning my plant.”
  • “As a customer, I want a hassle-free way to return my order so that I can be sure I have the right plant for me.”

Question 5)
Which of the following user stories could lead to the option of an online plant care manual? Select all that apply. 

  • “As a customer, I want to shop for plants online because there are no plant nurseries nearby.”
  • “As a plant owner, I want to buy the best fertilizer for my plant so that it will grow to twice its size.”
  • “As a plant owner, I want to know how often to water my plant so it will live as long as possible.”
  • “As a plant owner, I want to access care instructions easily so that I can keep my plant alive longer.”

Question 6)
Select the user role that best completes the following user story:

“As a(n) _____, I want to purchase hard-to-find plants so that I can expand my collection of rare flowers and greenery.”

  • existing customer
  • home gardener
  • new plant owner
  • plant expert

Question 7)
Which of the following user stories is complete and follows the correct structure?

  • “As a plant owner, I want to know how much sunlight my plant needs so that I can maximize its growth.”
  • “As a customer, I want to be able to access my account dashboard quickly and easily.”
  • “I want to purchase plants, but I’m worried they won’t get to me safely.”
  • “I want to order plant care tools so that I can keep my plants healthy.”

Question 8)
Which of the following user stories could lead to the creation of a discussion group or a live customer chat option? Select all that apply.

  • “As a plant owner, I want to get expert help and advice quickly so that I know what to do if my plant gets sick.”
  • “As a plant owner, I only want to purchase rare succulents but Virtual Verde does not offer any.”
  • “As a new plant owner, I want to purchase low-maintenance plants so that I can care for them easily.”
  • “As a plant expert, I want to connect with other customers so that I can discuss plant care tips and tricks.”

Question 9)
Select the value that best completes the following user story:

“As a plant owner, I want to find it a place with the right amount of sunlight so that _____.”

  • I can maximize its growth
  • my cat doesn’t eat it
  • I can water it regularly
  • my family can enjoy it more
Question 10)
Consider the following user story: 
“As a plant owner, I want to learn from other, more experienced plant owners so that I can better care for my plant.”
Which of the following pieces of acceptance criteria are appropriate for this story? Select all that apply.
  • Ability to join a mailing list
  • Ability to sign up for Q&A sessions with plant experts
  • Ability to access an “Expert Advice” section on the website
  • Ability to join an online discussion group for trading plant care tips
Question 11)
Which of the following user stories is complete and follows the correct structure?
  • “As a plant owner, I want to make sure my plant gets enough sunlight and nutrients.”
  • “As a customer, I want to get my plant as quickly and keep it healthy as long as possible.”
  • “As a plant owner, I want to remember when to water my plants so that I don’t under- or overwater them.” 
  • “As a plant expert, I want to expand and display my plant collection publicly.”
Question 12)
Which of the following user stories could lead to an option to bundle a plant care kit with purchase? Select all that apply.
  • “As a plant owner, I want to have the right tools to care for my plant so that I can keep it healthy and beautiful.”
  • “As a plant owner, I want to trim and prune my plant so that it grows the right way.”
  • “As a plant owner, I want to purchase stylish accessories so that I can show off my plants.”
  • As a plant owner, I wish there were more options on the website.

Question 13)
Consider the following user story:

“As a plant owner, I want to select from a variety of different pots so that I can match my new plant to my décor.”

Which of the following pieces of acceptance criteria are appropriate for this story? Select all that apply.

  • Option to select pot color or design at checkout
  • Option to purchase pots with various colors and patterns
  • Option to purchase pots made from sustainable materials
  • All orders ship with a pot in a neutral color to match different decors