Mike Cohn's Classic User Story
The original 'As a [role], I want [capability] so that [benefit]' format from Mike Cohn's User Stories Applied. The most widely used user story format in agile.
User Story Template - Mike Cohn (Classic Format)
Variant: Mike Cohn Classic User Story Format Source: "User Stories Applied" (Cohn, 2004) PM33 Adaptation: 1.0 Focus: Simplicity, conversation, story cards
Overview
Mike Cohn's classic approach emphasizes conversation and simplicity. A user story fits on an index card and serves as a placeholder for conversation between developers and product owners. This variant maintains that philosophy while adding PM33's strategic alignment.
Story Card Format
Front of Card (Traditional)
[PROJECT-001]: Generate Competitive Analysis Report
As a VP of Product Strategy
I want to generate a competitive analysis report from our collected intelligence
So that I can make data-driven strategic decisions about feature prioritization
Story Points: 8
Back of Card (Details)
Release: Q1 2026 Priority: P1 Epic: Strategic Intelligence
Detailed Story Format
Story Narrative
Showing 40 of 168 lines
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the classic user story format?
Mike Cohn's format is: 'As a [type of user], I want [some goal] so that [some reason].' This structure ensures every story identifies the user, their need, and the business value. It keeps requirements focused on delivering value rather than specifying implementation.
Other User Story Variants
Atlassian's Detailed User Story
Atlassian's enhanced user story format that adds acceptance criteria, technical notes, design considerations, and testing requirements to the classic format.
BDD Gherkin Format
Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) user stories using the Given-When-Then (Gherkin) format. Creates executable specifications that bridge business requirements and automated tests.
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