Job Stories
Create job stories using the 'When [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [outcome]' format. Generates stories with detailed acceptance criteria focused on user situations and outcomes.
Use when: Writing job stories, expressing user situations and motivations, creating JTBD-style backlog items, or focusing on user context rather than roles.
Arguments:
$PRODUCT: The product or system name$FEATURE: The new feature to break into job stories$DESIGN: Link to design files (Figma, Miro, etc.)$CONTEXT: User situations or job scenarios
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify user situations that trigger the need
- Define motivations underlying the user's behavior
- Clarify outcomes the user wants to achieve
- Apply JTBD framework: Focus on the job, not the role
- Create acceptance criteria that validate the outcome is achieved
- Use observable, measurable language
- Link to design mockups or prototypes
- Output job stories with detailed acceptance criteria
Story Template
Title: [Job outcome or result]
Description: When [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [outcome].
Design: [Link to design files]
Acceptance Criteria:
- [Situation is properly recognized]
- [System enables the desired motivation]
- [Progress or feedback is visible]
- [Outcome is achieved efficiently]
- [Edge cases are handled gracefully]
- [Integration and notifications work]
Example Job Story
Title: Track Weekly Snack Spending
Description: When I'm preparing my weekly allowance for snacks (situation), I want to quickly see how much I've spent so far (motivation), so I can make sure I don't run out of money before the weekend (outcome).
Design: [Figma link]
Acceptance Criteria:
- Display Spending Summary with 'Weekly Spending Overview' section
- Real-Time Update when expense logged
- Progress Indicator (progress bar showing 0-100% of weekly budget)
- Remaining Budget Highlight in prominent color
- Detailed Spending Log with breakdown by category
- Notifications at 80% budget threshold
- Weekend-Specific Reminder at 90% by Thursday evening
- Easy Access and Navigation to detailed breakdown
Output Deliverables
- Complete set of job stories for the feature
- Each story follows the 'When...I want...so I can' format
- 6-8 acceptance criteria focused on outcomes
- Stories emphasize user situations and motivations
- Clear links to design and prototypes
Further Reading
---
name: job-stories
description: Create job stories using the 'When [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [outcome]' format with detailed acceptance criteria, focusing on user situations and outcomes for JTBD-style backlog items.
---
# Job Stories
Create job stories using the 'When [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [outcome]' format. Generates stories with detailed acceptance criteria focused on user situations and outcomes.
**Use when:** Writing job stories, expressing user situations and motivations, creating JTBD-style backlog items, or focusing on user context rather than roles.
**Arguments:**
- `$PRODUCT`: The product or system name
- `$FEATURE`: The new feature to break into job stories
- `$DESIGN`: Link to design files (Figma, Miro, etc.)
- `$CONTEXT`: User situations or job scenarios
## Step-by-Step Process
1. **Identify user situations** that trigger the need
2. **Define motivations** underlying the user's behavior
3. **Clarify outcomes** the user wants to achieve
4. **Apply JTBD framework:** Focus on the job, not the role
5. **Create acceptance criteria** that validate the outcome is achieved
6. **Use observable, measurable language**
7. **Link to design mockups** or prototypes
8. **Output job stories** with detailed acceptance criteria
## Story Template
**Title:** [Job outcome or result]
**Description:** When [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [outcome].
**Design:** [Link to design files]
**Acceptance Criteria:**
1. [Situation is properly recognized]
2. [System enables the desired motivation]
3. [Progress or feedback is visible]
4. [Outcome is achieved efficiently]
5. [Edge cases are handled gracefully]
6. [Integration and notifications work]
## Example Job Story
**Title:** Track Weekly Snack Spending
**Description:** When I'm preparing my weekly allowance for snacks (situation), I want to quickly see how much I've spent so far (motivation), so I can make sure I don't run out of money before the weekend (outcome).
**Design:** [Figma link]
**Acceptance Criteria:**
1. Display Spending Summary with 'Weekly Spending Overview' section
2. Real-Time Update when expense logged
3. Progress Indicator (progress bar showing 0-100% of weekly budget)
4. Remaining Budget Highlight in prominent color
5. Detailed Spending Log with breakdown by category
6. Notifications at 80% budget threshold
7. Weekend-Specific Reminder at 90% by Thursday evening
8. Easy Access and Navigation to detailed breakdown
## Output Deliverables
- Complete set of job stories for the feature
- Each story follows the 'When...I want...so I can' format
- 6-8 acceptance criteria focused on outcomes
- Stories emphasize user situations and motivations
- Clear links to design and prototypes
---
### Further Reading
- [Jobs-to-be-Done Masterclass with Tony Ulwick and Sabeen Sattar](https://www.productcompass.pm/p/jobs-to-be-done-masterclass-with) (video course)
