How do you manage user stories with dependencies?

1 Identify dependencies

The first step to manage user stories with dependencies is to identify them. You can use different methods to do this, such as dependency mapping, dependency matrix, or dependency graph. These tools help you visualize the relationships between user stories and classify them according to their type and impact. For example, you can use a color code to indicate if a dependency is mandatory, optional, or desirable, and if it is internal, external, or cross-team. Identifying dependencies can help you communicate them to the stakeholders, plan the sprint backlog, and resolve any conflicts or issues.

3 Prioritize dependencies

The third step to manage user stories with dependencies is to prioritize them. Dependencies can affect the value, urgency, and feasibility of the user stories, so you want to consider them when ordering the product backlog. You can use different criteria to do this, such as the dependency direction, the dependency criticality, the dependency volatility, or the dependency effort. These factors help you determine which user stories are more important, more urgent, more stable, or more difficult to deliver. Prioritizing dependencies can help you optimize the value stream, avoid waste, and deliver the most valuable user stories first.

4 Coordinate dependencies

The fourth step to manage user stories with dependencies is to coordinate them. Dependencies can involve different roles, teams, or organizations, so you want to collaborate with them effectively and efficiently. You can use different practices to do this, such as dependency boards, dependency logs, dependency reviews, or dependency contracts. These tools help you track, monitor, and update the status of the dependencies and communicate them to the relevant parties. Coordinating dependencies can help you align the expectations, synchronize the work, and resolve any issues or changes.

5 Validate dependencies

The fifth step to manage user stories with dependencies is to validate them. Dependencies can affect the quality, functionality, and usability of the user stories, so you want to verify that they are met and satisfied. You can use different techniques to do this, such as dependency tests, dependency demos, dependency checklists, or dependency feedback. These methods help you ensure that the user stories meet the acceptance criteria, deliver the expected value, and work as intended. Validating dependencies can help you increase the confidence, satisfaction, and trust of the users and stakeholders.

6 Learn from dependencies

The sixth step to manage user stories with dependencies is to learn from them. Dependencies can provide valuable insights, lessons, and opportunities for improvement, so you want to reflect on them and incorporate them into your agile process. You can use different activities to do this, such as dependency retrospectives, dependency metrics, dependency experiments, or dependency best practices. These actions help you identify the root causes, impacts, and patterns of the dependencies and implement actions to prevent, mitigate, or leverage them. Learning from dependencies can help you enhance your agile maturity, performance, and culture.