Ultimate Guide to Jira User Stories: Templates, Tips, & Examples

Updated on February 9, 2024.

Are you tired of manually creating user stories in Jira? If you are, you’re not alone. Many Agile teams face the challenge of keeping their user stories clear and consistent, which can lead to headaches and project delays.

But here’s the good news: there’s a solution that can make your life easier.

Jira user story templates—your secret weapon for smoother Agile development. These templates are a structured and standardized way to capture user requirements, making your job simpler and improving teamwork.

In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of user stories and show you how to easily create templates in Jira.

What is a user story in Jira?

A user story in Jira is a concise, simple description of a software feature from the perspective of the end user. It’s a tool used in Agile software development to capture a specific type of requirement. 

User stories follow a simple template to communicate what the user needs and why. The basic format often used is:

“As a [type of user], I want [an action] so that [a benefit/value].”

Let’s see a few examples of such user stories.

  1. As a Developer, I want to integrate a version control system into our workflow so that we can better track and manage changes in our codebase.
  2. As a Quality Assurance Engineer, I want to implement automated testing for our web application so that we can efficiently identify and fix bugs before production deployment.
  3. As a Project Manager, I want to use an Agile project management tool so that we can effectively plan, track, and adapt our software development process.
  4. As a User Interface Designer, I want to create a user-centered design framework so that our applications are more intuitive and user-friendly.

In Jira, we create user stories as issues, often within a project’s backlog. Then we break them down into smaller tasks or subtasks. That way, we can track them through the various stages of development, from the backlog to completion.

Each user story in Jira typically includes:

  • A title: A short, descriptive summary of the feature or requirement.
  • A detailed description. This follows the standard format and may include additional details or acceptance criteria.
  • Assignee: The team member responsible for implementing the story.
  • Priority: Indicates the importance or urgency of the story.
  • Status: Shows the current stage of the story in the development process (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done).

What are agile user stories?

User stories are a key component of Agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban. They are used to foster discussion, planning, and execution of software development tasks in a user-centric way. Jira, as an Agile project management tool, gives us an efficient platform for managing these user stories throughout the development cycle.

Agile user stories contain three elements, coined by Ron Jeffries in 2001. They are:

Card: A written description of the user story.

Conversation: A conversation between stakeholders where they discuss how best to deliver the expected outcome and what business value it brings.

Confirmation: The acceptance criteria that we should test to make sure that the final product meets user expectations.

In Agile, we can use templates for the big projects called Epics. Usually, teams responsible for an Epic break it into user stories, which provide the context for the development team and their efforts by giving them various points of view on how different types of users need, want or can use our products.

Source: Atlassian

Mike Cohn, a co-inventor of Scrum, during his presentation at Norwegian Developers Conference, said that writing such user stories should take place regularly

Depending on the team’s preference, it can be done quarterly, monthly, or even weekly. At Deviniti, we create user stories during sprint planning sessions. Team members take a few Epics from the backlog items, write user stories for them, and plan what needs to be done to address our customer’s (either external or internal) needs and expectations.

Why should you create user stories?

Moving on to the why, let’s discuss why you should create user stories in the first place.

1. User-centric focus

User stories help teams focus on the needs and experiences of the end user. By framing requirements from the user’s perspective, teams are more likely to build features that provide real value.

2. Simplicity and clarity

User stories are typically short and written in plain language, making them easy to understand. This simplicity helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures that everyone on the team knows what to do.

3. Enhanced communication and collaboration

User stories encourage discussion among team members, stakeholders, and users. They are like a starting point for conversations about feature requirements, design, and implementation strategies.

They often involve cross-functional collaboration. To make them happen, you need input from business analysts, developers, testers, and UX designers. This fosters a team-oriented approach to problem-solving.

4. Prioritization and planning

Having user stories, we can prioritize them based on their value to the user and the business. This helps in effective backlog management and sprint planning. That way we can make sure that we address the most important tasks first.

5. Flexibility and adaptability

User stories allow for changes and refinements as we learn more about the user’s needs or as project conditions evolve. This adaptability is key in Agile methodologies.

6. Measurable progress

Each user story represents a unit of work that we want to complete and deliver. This gives us a clear way to measure progress and helps in iterative and incremental development.

7. Clear acceptance criteria

User stories typically include acceptance criteria that describe the conditions that must be met for the story to be considered complete. This helps ensure quality and that the final product meets user expectations.

Types of user stories

We can divide user stories into two main categories. Let’s look at each of them and see some examples.

Functional user stories

These stories focus on specific functionalities or features that the software needs to provide. They describe actions that users should be able to perform with the software. 

Example: “As a user, I want to be able to reset my password so that I can regain access if I forget it.”

Technical user stories

Technical user stories, also known as enabler stories, focus on non-functional requirements or technical tasks. These are the tasks that we need to complete to support functional stories or to ensure the system’s reliability, performance, or security.

Example: “As a developer, I want to refactor the database schema so that we can improve application performance.”

Jira user story examples

Software development user stories

Here are some examples of user stories in the software development roam.

1. As a [Developer], I want to [integrate a new logging framework] so that [we can have more detailed and structured logs for debugging].

Description: Implement a robust logging framework to replace the current basic logging setup. This will help in quickly identifying and resolving bugs by providing detailed, structured logs.

Acceptance criteria:

  • The new logging framework is integrated into the existing codebase.
  • Logs are structured and include necessary details like timestamps, log levels, and contextual information.
  • The performance impact of the new logging system is minimal.

2. As a [User], I want to [be able to filter search results by multiple criteria] so that [I can more easily find the information I need].

Description: Enhance the search functionality to allow users to apply multiple filters (e.g., date, category, relevance) for more refined search results.

Acceptance criteria:

  • Users can select and apply multiple search filters.
  • The search results accurately reflect the applied filters.
  • The search interface is user-friendly and intuitive.

3. As a [System Administrator], I want to [automate the data backup process] so that [we can ensure data is regularly and securely backed up].

Description: Develop an automated solution for data backup that runs at scheduled intervals, ensuring data is consistently and securely backed up without manual intervention.

Acceptance criteria:

  • Backups occur automatically at the specified intervals.
  • Backup data is encrypted and stored securely.
  • There is a mechanism to verify the integrity of the backup data.

User story examples for website

1. As a [Website Visitor], I want to [easily navigate the site menu] so that [I can quickly find the information I need].

Description: Improve the site’s menu layout and design for better usability. Make sure visitors can effortlessly locate various sections and pages.

Acceptance criteria:

  • The menu is intuitive and easy to use on both desktop and mobile devices.
  • Key sections of the website are clearly labelled and accessible from the menu.

2. As an [Online Shopper], I want to [filter products by price, category, and rating] so that [I can easily find products that meet my preferences].

Description: Implement advanced filtering options in the e-commerce section of the website, allowing users to narrow down product selections.

Acceptance criteria:

  • Users can apply filters for price range, product categories, and customer ratings.
  • The filtering process is smooth, and the results update in real-time.

3. As a [Job Seeker], I want to [submit my resume through the careers page] so that [I can apply for open positions easily].

Description: Add a feature to the careers page that allows job seekers to upload and submit their resumes directly through the website.

Acceptance criteria:

  • The resume upload process is straightforward and confirms successful submission.
  • Uploaded resumes are stored securely and accessible to HR personnel.

User stories in Agile examples

1. As a [Product Owner], I want to [have a real-time dashboard of project progress] so that [I can make informed decisions and provide timely updates to stakeholders].

Description: Implement a dashboard in the project management tool that displays real-time data on project progress, including completed tasks, ongoing work, and upcoming milestones.

Acceptance criteria:

  • The dashboard provides an accurate, real-time overview of project status.
  • Key metrics like task completion, sprint progress, and resource allocation are clearly displayed.

2. As a [Scrum Master], I want to [easily organize and facilitate online retrospective meetings] so that [the team can efficiently discuss and learn from past sprints].

Description: Integrate a tool or feature within the Agile project management software that helps in organizing and conducting virtual retrospective meetings.

Acceptance criteria:

  • The tool allows team members to anonymously submit feedback.
  • Features for organizing feedback into themes and creating action items are available.

3. As a [Developer], I want to [receive instant notifications for high-priority bug reports] so that [I can address critical issues fast].

Description: Set up a notification system within the issue-tracking tool that alerts developers immediately when high-priority bugs are reported.

Acceptance criteria:

  • Notifications for high-priority bugs are sent instantly to relevant team members.
  • Developers can easily acknowledge and update the status of the bug report from the notification.

How to write user stories?

Here are key points to keep in mind when writing user stories:

  1. User-centric

Focus on what the user needs and why. Think about who will be using the feature and what they aim to achieve with it.

  1. Concise and clear

User stories should be brief and written in plain, simple language. Avoid technical jargon and be specific about the requirements.

  1. Valuable outcome

Each user story should clearly state the value or benefit it brings to the user. This helps in understanding the purpose and priority of the feature.

  1. Negotiable and flexible

User stories aren’t detailed specifications. They are conversation starters and should leave room for discussion and adaptation as more information becomes available.

  1. Testable

Write user stories in a way that they can be tested. This usually involves setting the acceptance criteria that we mentioned earlier.

  1. Estimable

A good user story should be clear enough to estimate how long it will take to develop.

How to create user story templates in Jira?

There are a few ways to create user story templates in Jira. Let’s go through each of them one by one.

Cloning issues manually

If you want to create user story templates in Jira, you can use standard issues. Let’s see an example of how it’s done.

Start with creating a new issue and use the standard template: “As a [role], I want to [task], so that [objective].” Include the subtasks like Analysis, Development, or Code Review.

Then, clone the issue for a new software development task and customize it.

Adapt the cloned user story to the specifics of the current project. For example, change it to “As a Frontend Developer, I want to implement a responsive navigation menu, to enhance user experience on mobile devices.”

Finally, tailor the subtasks in Jira to fit this context, such as:

  • Analysis – “Evaluate current menu design for mobile responsiveness [3 hours]”
  • Development – “Code the responsive navigation menu [12 hours]”
  • Code Review – “Review and optimize navigation code [4 hours]”
  • Merge – “Integrate navigation menu into the main branch [1 hour]”
  • etc.

Cloning complex tickets can be useful, but we can do it only within the same project. And if we describe them differently, it makes them more difficult to standardize.

User story templates in Word

Some people go even more old school and create user story templates in Microsoft Word. To do that, you can add the usual user story template to the document. 

As a [type of user]

I want [an action] 

So that [a benefit/value]

Then, all you have to do is copy it and fill it with user stories.

Finished user stories can then be copied into Jira issues or added as an attachment, but it’s rather inconvenient to do it manually. Especially in the case of bigger projects.

Using Jira automation

Another way to create a Jira user story template is to use automation rules.

Go to your Jira Software project, and and navigate to ‘Project settings’ > ‘Automation’

In the Automation section, click on ‘Create rule’ and select the trigger for your automation rule. For user story templates, you might use a trigger like “Issue Created” from the Issue triggers.

Automation rules in Jira Software
Automation rules in Jira Software

After setting the trigger, click on Add component. Then add conditions from the Issue fields condition section: IF issue type equals Story and IF description is empty.

Automation rules in Jira Software
Issue fields conditions in Jira Software

Finally, add a component THEN: Edit issue fields. The final rule should look something like this:

Automation rule in Jira Software to create a user story template
User story automation rule in Jira Software

Before activating your rule, use the testing feature to make sure it works as expected. Once you’re satisfied with the setup, name your rule, add a description for clarity, and publish it.

Some users argue that this approach is not ideal because the rule is triggered after the issue creation screen closes. Consequently, the automation rule’s predefined description overrides any text entered by the user in the Jira creation screen. As a result, the user’s input is lost.

That’s why we added the “Description is empty condition”, which should help. Another way is using the {{issue.description}} like on the screen below.

Automation settings in Jira Software: creating user story templates through automation
Automation settings in Jira Software Source: Atlassian Community

Using Jira add-ons

Perhaps the most convenient way to create user story templates in Jira is to use a plugin.

Even though Jira supports Agile project management, it doesn’t offer issue templating natively. Thankfully, we can go to Atlassian Marketplace and search for issue templates Jira. As of 2024, there are 165 apps available.

One of the possible choices worth considering is Issue Templates for Jira which helps maintain high-level performance. It optimizes the time it takes to create new issues, systematize issue content, and automatically populate issue fields with predefined values.

The app makes it easy to create a user story template. See an example in the image below.

User story template in Jira
User story template in Issue Templates for Jira app
Check out the Issue Templates for Jira app and create user story templates with only a few clicks.
Try out the app

After creating a template in the templates repository, we can use the dynamic variables feature. That way, all the users have to do to create new user stories is fill in the blank fields. It requires minimal effort and time.

Creating user story template in Jira
Dynamic variables feature makes creating new user stories easier Source: Issue Templates for Jira app

Thanks to Epic and user story templates, we can concentrate on what truly matters to us, instead of repeatedly creating complex Epics with Stories and sub-tasks from scratch.

User story templates for Jira

Simple user stories

To create a simple user story, you can use the template below.

As a [type of user]

I want [an action] 

So that [a benefit/value]

Acceptance criteria:

Estimated time:

Priority:

Epic user story template for Jira

The epic user story template contains one or more epics. Each of them contains several user stories.

EpicUser storyAcceptance criteriaEstimated timePriority
Epic 1User story 1As a [type of user]I want [an action] So that [a benefit/value]
User story 2As a [type of user]I want [an action] So that [a benefit/value]
Epic 2User story 1As a [type of user]I want [an action] So that [a benefit/value]
User story 2As a [type of user]I want [an action] So that [a benefit/value]

SAfe agile user story template

A SAFe® user story template is designed to help Agile teams working within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) effectively organize and track user stories. It includes key components that align with SAFe® principles. Using it we can make sure that each story is comprehensive and actionable.

The fields extend beyond the basic description of a user story to consider factors that will help prioritize and evaluate the story within the context of larger enterprise goals.

FieldDescription
DescriptionAs a [type of user], I want to [perform some task] so that I can [achieve some goal].
Benefit hypothesisThe expected benefits or outcomes that are hypothesized to result from implementing the user story.
Nonfunctional requirementsRequirements that specify criteria for the operation of a system, rather than specific behaviors.
Acceptance criteriaSpecific, actionable, and testable conditions under which the user story is considered completed.
User Business ValueThe quantified value the user story brings to the business, which helps in prioritizing stories.
Cost of delayThe economic impact if the implementation of the user story is delayed.
Time criticalityThe importance of timely delivery for the user story.
Risk Reduction and/or Opportunity Enablement ValueAn assessment of how much implementing the user story will reduce risk to the project or enable new opportunities.
Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)A prioritization model used in SAFe that combines the Cost of Delay and Job Size to determine implementation sequence.

Conclusion

User story templates in Jira provide a clear, structured way for teams to outline requirements. They ensure consistent and efficient communication of user needs. This leads to a smoother development process.

In Jira, you can create templates manually or use an issue templates plugin.

FAQ

  • Can I create a user story template in Jira?

    Yes, you can create user story templates in Jira. To do that, you can use standard issues, Jira automation rules, or download a plugin from the Atlassian Marketplace.

  • What is the format of a user story in Jira?

    In Jira, the format of a user story typically follows the standard user story template, which is: “As a [role], I want [feature] so that [reason].” This format helps define who needs the feature (the role), what they need (the feature), and why they need it (the reason). When creating a user story in Jira, you can fill in these details in the issue’s description or use custom fields to capture this information.

  • What is a user story template?

    A user story template is a predefined format used to describe a software feature from the end user’s perspective. Using it, we can ensure consistency and clarity in capturing the user’s needs, the desired functionality, and the value the feature is expected to provide. Typically, it follows the format: “As a [type of user], I want [an action or feature] so that [I can achieve a benefit or value].”

  • Can you create Jira templates?

    Yes, you can create templates in Jira. It helps to standardize the creation of issues, including user stories, tasks, bugs, and other issue types. Jira doesn’t offer a built-in template feature for issues, but you can create a ‘template issue’ within an issue type and clone it for future use.

    Alternatively, you can use Jira’s automation rules to pre-populate fields when creating issues. You can also use marketplace add-ons designed for creating and managing templates. These templates help maintain consistency and save time when creating similar issues.

Halina Cudakiewicz

Halina is a Content Specialist at Deviniti, where she combines her love for writing and IT. She has written about several topics, including technology, Forex, and personal finance. Other than creating content, she loves dancing, reading legal thrillers, and learning new languages.

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