Why-What-Acceptance (WWA)

Create product backlog items in Why-What-Acceptance format. Produces independent, valuable, testable items with strategic context.

Use when: Writing backlog items, creating product increments, breaking features into work items, or communicating strategic intent to teams.

Arguments:

• $PRODUCT: The product or system name
• $FEATURE: The new feature or capability
• $DESIGN: Link to design files (Figma, Miro, etc.)
• $ASSUMPTIONS: Key assumptions and strategic context

Step-by-Step Process

1. Define the strategic Why - Connect work to business and team objectives
2. Describe the What - Keep descriptions concise, reference designs
3. Write Acceptance Criteria - High-level, not detailed specifications
4. Ensure independence - Items can be developed in any order
5. Keep items negotiable - Invite team conversation, not constraints
6. Make items valuable - Each delivers measurable user or business value
7. Ensure testability - Outcomes are observable and verifiable
8. Size appropriately - Small enough for one sprint estimate

Item Template

Title: [What will be delivered]

Why: [1-2 sentences connecting to strategic context and team objectives]

What: [Short description and design link. 1-2 paragraphs maximum. A reminder of discussion, not detailed specification.]

Acceptance Criteria:

• [Observable outcome 1]
• [Observable outcome 2]
• [Observable outcome 3]
• [Observable outcome 4]

Example WWA Item

Title: Implement Real-Time Spending Tracker

Why: Users need immediate feedback on spending to make conscious budget decisions. This directly supports our goal to improve financial awareness and reduce overspending.

What: Add a real-time spending tracker that updates as users log expenses. The tracker displays their current week's spending against their set budget. Designs available in [Figma link]. This is a reminder of our discussions - detailed specifications will emerge during development conversations with the team.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Spending totals update within 2 seconds of logging an expense
• Budget progress is visually indicated with a progress bar
• Users can see remaining budget amount at a glance
• System handles multiple expense categories correctly

Output Deliverables

• Complete set of backlog items for the feature
• Each item includes Why, What, and Acceptance Criteria sections
• Items are independent and deliverable in any order
• Items are sized for estimation and completion in one sprint
• Strategic context is clear for team decision-making
• Design references are included for implementation guidance

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Further Reading

• How to Write User Stories: The Ultimate Guide