User Story Format

Biological Parallel

Animal communication follows user story logic: 'As a [role: sentinel meerkat], I want to [action: emit alarm call], so that [outcome: the mob retreats to safety before the hawk strikes].' This three-part structure—actor, behavior, purpose—enables coordination by making intent explicit. Alarm calls without purpose context would be ignored (crying wolf); actions without actor clarity create confusion (who's talking?). User stories mirror this evolutionary communication pattern: specifying role + need + outcome eliminates ambiguity and aligns team understanding around why work matters, not just what to build.