Why-What-Acceptance (WWA)
Create product backlog items in Why-What-Acceptance format. Produces independent, valuable, testable items with strategic context.
Use when: Writing backlog items, creating product increments, breaking features into work items, or communicating strategic intent to teams.
Arguments:
- $PRODUCT: The product or system name
- $FEATURE: The new feature or capability
- $DESIGN: Link to design files (Figma, Miro, etc.)
- $ASSUMPTIONS: Key assumptions and strategic context
Step-by-Step Process
- Define the strategic Why - Connect work to business and team objectives
- Describe the What - Keep descriptions concise, reference designs
- Write Acceptance Criteria - High-level, not detailed specifications
- Ensure independence - Items can be developed in any order
- Keep items negotiable - Invite team conversation, not constraints
- Make items valuable - Each delivers measurable user or business value
- Ensure testability - Outcomes are observable and verifiable
- Size appropriately - Small enough for one sprint estimate
Item Template
Title: [What will be delivered]
Why: [1-2 sentences connecting to strategic context and team objectives]
What: [Short description and design link. 1-2 paragraphs maximum. A reminder of discussion, not detailed specification.]
Acceptance Criteria:
- [Observable outcome 1]
- [Observable outcome 2]
- [Observable outcome 3]
- [Observable outcome 4]
Example WWA Item
Title: Implement Real-Time Spending Tracker
Why: Users need immediate feedback on spending to make conscious budget decisions. This directly supports our goal to improve financial awareness and reduce overspending.
What: Add a real-time spending tracker that updates as users log expenses. The tracker displays their current week's spending against their set budget. Designs available in [Figma link]. This is a reminder of our discussions - detailed specifications will emerge during development conversations with the team.
Acceptance Criteria:
- Spending totals update within 2 seconds of logging an expense
- Budget progress is visually indicated with a progress bar
- Users can see remaining budget amount at a glance
- System handles multiple expense categories correctly
Output Deliverables
- Complete set of backlog items for the feature
- Each item includes Why, What, and Acceptance Criteria sections
- Items are independent and deliverable in any order
- Items are sized for estimation and completion in one sprint
- Strategic context is clear for team decision-making
- Design references are included for implementation guidance
Further Reading
- How to Write User Stories: The Ultimate Guide
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