job-stories

SKILL.md

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

Jobs-to-be-Done Masterclass with Tony Ulwick and Sabeen Sattar (video course)