Professional training – Project Management & Agility

Writing and Slicing User Stories

Hands-on Writing and Slicing User Stories course: you work on Story format and INVEST criteria, Writing acceptance criteria and Slicing stories vertically and take away knowledge you can apply right away.

Duration
6 hours, one session
Level
Beginner
Format
Online or on-site
Language
German or English
Certificate
Certificate of attendance

Overview

In “Writing and Slicing User Stories” we combine fundamentals and practice: you get to know Story format and INVEST criteria, Writing acceptance criteria and Slicing stories vertically, apply what you learn in exercises and receive templates and checklists for your own use.

Projects succeed when goals, roles, deadlines and risks are clear from the start and the team takes ownership. Our courses cover the full spectrum: classic methods such as PRINCE2, PMP and IPMA, agile approaches such as Scrum, Kanban and SAFe, plus tools and facilitation techniques. They are aimed at project managers, Scrum masters, product owners, PMO staff and subject-matter experts who run projects alongside their day job. We work with simulations, case studies and templates that you can carry over to your own project landscape. Delivered online or on site at a fixed price per participant.

The course is delivered live – either online in a virtual classroom or on-site in our training rooms in Munich, Salzburg, Berlin, Augsburg, Hanover, Bremen, Stuttgart and Kaiserslautern. We can also run it exclusively for your team.

Focus areas of the course

Story format and INVEST criteriaWriting acceptance criteriaSlicing stories verticallyStory mappingDefinition of ready and doneRefinement with the team

Who is this course for?

  • Project managers
  • Scrum masters, product owners and agile coaches
  • PMO staff and portfolio managers
  • Subject-matter experts with project responsibilities

What you will be able to do

  • You know the key topics of Writing and Slicing User Stories – Story format and INVEST criteria, Writing acceptance criteria, Slicing stories vertically, Story mapping, Definition of ready and done and Refinement with the team – and can apply them in practice.
  • You understand the principles of Writing and Slicing User Stories and apply them with sound reasoning.
  • You plan and steer work transparently using suitable tools.
  • You spot risks and conflicts early and act deliberately.
  • You transfer Writing and Slicing User Stories to your projects and your team.

Course outline

Module 1 Fundamentals and terminology of Writing and Slicing User Stories
  • Goals, benefits and use cases of Writing and Slicing User Stories
  • Roles, responsibilities and artefacts
  • Positioning between classic and agile approaches
  • Typical success factors and pitfalls
Module 2 Focus areas: Writing and Slicing User Stories
  • Story format and INVEST criteria
  • Writing acceptance criteria
  • Slicing stories vertically
  • Story mapping
  • Definition of ready and done
  • Refinement with the team
Module 3 Method and approach
  • Flow from initiation to closure
  • Planning, estimation and prioritisation
  • Steering with metrics and transparency
  • Handling change and risk
Module 4 Practical exercises and simulation
  • Case study based on a realistic project
  • Creating work products together
  • Practising facilitation and team communication
  • Feedback and exchange of experience
Module 5 Transfer to your projects
  • Adapting methods to your environment
  • Taking over templates and checklists
  • Engaging and convincing stakeholders
  • Personal action plan for the coming weeks
Module 6 Transfer to your daily work
  • Exercise based on a realistic case
  • Typical mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Checklist and templates to take away
  • Open questions, outlook and resources for further learning

Prerequisites

First experience with project or team work is helpful. No specific prior knowledge of Writing and Slicing User Stories is required unless stated otherwise for the course. No prior knowledge is required.

Technical requirements

Your own laptop with a current browser; digital whiteboards, templates and, where needed, test accounts are provided.

Dates & locations

For every location we suggest a date roughly four weeks ahead. Your preferred date is always possible.

  • Munich Mon, 14 December 2026 6 hrs Request
  • Salzburg Wed, 16 December 2026 6 hrs Request
  • Berlin Thu, 10 December 2026 6 hrs Request
  • Augsburg Fri, 11 December 2026 6 hrs Request
  • Hanover Tue, 15 December 2026 6 hrs Request
  • Bremen Fri, 11 December 2026 6 hrs Request
  • Stuttgart Wed, 16 December 2026 6 hrs Request
  • Kaiserslautern Mon, 14 December 2026 6 hrs Request
  • Online Mon, 14 December 2026 6 hrs Request

Frequently asked questions

How hands-on is the Writing and Slicing User Stories course?

A large part of the course is exercises: case study, group work, facilitation and working with templates. We pick up examples from your industry and discuss your current project situations so that you take away concrete steps for implementation.

Does Writing and Slicing User Stories prepare for certification?

Where the course is an exam preparation, we cover the content, terminology and practice questions of the relevant certification. You take the exam itself with the responsible body; we do not promise exam success but support you with a clear learning structure.

How much does “Writing and Slicing User Stories” cost?

The course costs a flat €949 plus VAT per participant – whether online or on-site. This includes 6 hours of live training with a trainer, course materials, a lab environment and a certificate of attendance.

Can I suggest my own date?

Yes. For every location we suggest a date roughly four weeks ahead. In the request form you can always describe your preferred date or period in free text – we check availability and get back to you within one working day.

Is the course online or on-site?

Both are possible: live online in a virtual classroom or on-site in Munich, Salzburg, Berlin, Augsburg, Hanover, Bremen, Stuttgart and Kaiserslautern. We can also run the course exclusively for your team.

Can the course be tailored to our team?

Yes. Tailor-made courses cost approx. €4,500 more, depending on the topic and by arrangement. We agree content, examples and exercises with you in advance.

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