Glossary

TermDefinition
BacklogA prioritized list of Stories to be worked on. Teams continuously Estimate → Build → Validate → Re-prioritize Stories based on priority and what they learn.
StoryThe smallest unit of work that makes up the Backlog.
Feature StoryA Story that delivers new user or business value through functionality.
Design StoryA Story for defining or validating the user experience or product behavior.
EstimateA relative complexity assessment of a Story, expressed in Story Points.
Story PointA unit of relative complexity, not a measure of time.
PointingThe process by which the team discusses and agrees on Story Points.
IterationA recurring development cycle planned based on Velocity.
VelocityThe average number of Story Points completed by the team in an Iteration.
VolatilityA measure of how much the team’s normalized delivery capacity varies across recent Iterations.
IPMA planning meeting where the team reviews and clarifies upcoming Stories and estimates them.
Pre-IPMA refinement process before IPM to prepare Stories so they are ready to be estimated.
BugA Story for fixing unintended behavior in functionality that has already been implemented.
ChoreNecessary work that does not directly create user value.
IceboxA holding area for Stories that are not yet sufficiently defined or prioritized.
PriorityThe position of a Story in the Backlog, which indicates its relative importance.
Acceptance CriteriaThe conditions used to verify whether a Story is complete.
AcceptThe PM confirms that a Story meets its Acceptance Criteria.
RejectA Story is returned for further work because it does not meet its Acceptance Criteria.
Release MarkerA product or project milestone within the Backlog.
CurrentStories that are currently being worked on.
DoneStories that have been implemented and accepted.