Activity: Create a Product Backlog Graded Assignment Answer 2025 – Agile Project Management

🌱 How to Write User Stories & Acceptance Criteria (Virtual Verde Case Study)

This article walks through the complete graded quiz and activity about writing user stories, creating acceptance criteria, and understanding how they fit into a Product Backlog. You’ll see all questions, all options, the correct answers, and detailed explanations — plus key learning tips you can apply immediately.

Attachment: Activity-Template_-Product-Backlog

1️⃣ Understanding the Activity

In this assignment, you’re playing the role of a project manager for Virtual Verde, a new Office Green product line offering desk plants for home offices. After surveying customers, you learn that:

• 70% struggled to care for their plants.

• Many plants wilted or died within a month.

• Customers want easier access to plant care info, reminders, tools, expert advice, and hassle-free returns.

Your job:
Create six user stories addressing each of these customer needs, write acceptance criteria, and place them under an epic in the Product Backlog.

Step-by-Step Framework

• Step 1: Access the Product Backlog template.

• Step 2: Write 6 user stories using the format:
  As a <user role>, I want <this action> so that I can <get this value>.

• Step 3: Create at least two acceptance criteria per story.

• Step 4: Check each story against the I.N.V.E.S.T. framework.

• Step 5: Title each user story.

• Step 6: Add an epic title (example: “Plant Care Initiatives”).

By completing this, you’ve practiced skills normally led by the Product Owner but critical for every project manager to understand.

2️⃣ Quiz Questions, All Options, and Correct Answers

Below is every quiz question, all answer options, and the correct answers highlighted with ✅ plus explanations.

Q1 — Activity Completion

Did you complete this activity?

• Yes ✅

• No

✔ Correct Answer: Yes
Why: The quiz measures whether you’ve completed six user stories + acceptance criteria.

Q2 — Complete the User Story

“As a plant owner, I want to find it a place with the right amount of sunlight so that _____.”

• I can maximize its growth ✅

• my cat doesn’t eat it

• I can water it regularly

• my family can enjoy it more

✔ Correct Answer: I can maximize its growth
Why: Directly tied to plant health and sunlight — fits the action/value format.

Q3 — Acceptance Criteria

“As a plant owner, I want to learn from other, more experienced plant owners so that I can better care for my plant.”
Which pieces of acceptance criteria are appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

• Ability to access an “Expert Advice” section on the website ✅

• Ability to join an online discussion group for trading plant care tips ✅

• Ability to join a mailing list

• Ability to sign up for Q&A sessions with plant experts ✅

✔ Correct: First, second, fourth
Why: Each enables interaction or learning from experienced plant owners.

Q4 — Complete User Story

Which of the following user stories is complete and follows the correct structure?

• “I want to purchase plants, but I’m worried they won’t get to me safely.”

• “As a plant owner, I want to know how much sunlight my plant needs so that I can maximize its growth.” ✅

• “As a customer, I want to be able to access my account dashboard quickly and easily.”

• “I want to order plant care tools so that I can keep my plants healthy.”

✔ Correct Answer: Second option
Why: Contains user role, action, and value — the full format.

Q5 — Discussion Group / Live Chat

Which user stories could lead to a discussion group or live customer chat? (Select all that apply.)

• “As a new plant owner, I want to purchase low-maintenance plants so that I can care for them easily.”

• “As a plant owner, I only want to purchase rare succulents but Virtual Verde does not offer any.”

• “As a plant expert, I want to connect with other customers so that I can discuss plant care tips and tricks.” ✅

• “As a plant owner, I want to get expert help and advice quickly so that I know what to do if my plant gets sick.” ✅

✔ Correct Answers: Third and fourth
Why: These explicitly imply real-time or community interaction.

3️⃣ Examples of User Stories You Might Create

Here’s how your six user stories might look, based on the scenario:

Each story is Independent, Valuable, and Testable, with two clear acceptance criteria.

4️⃣ Key Learning Points from This Assignment

a. How to Write Strong User Stories

• Always identify who (user role), what (action), and why (value).

• Keep stories small enough to complete in a Sprint.

b. Acceptance Criteria as Definition of Done

• Provide measurable outcomes.

• Keep criteria testable and clear.

c. I.N.V.E.S.T. Framework

• Independent

• Negotiable

• Valuable

• Estimable

• Small

• Testable

d. Recognizing Stories That Lead to Features

• Requests for “expert help” → live chat.

• Requests for “connect with others” → discussion groups/forums.

e. Linking Stories to Product Backlog

• Prioritize stories according to customer pain points.

• Group stories under an Epic for easier management.

5️⃣ Why This Matters for Project Managers

Even if you’re not a Product Owner, understanding how to:

• Translate customer needs into actionable backlog items,

• Define acceptance criteria,

• Use Agile techniques to prioritize work,
  …makes you far more effective and adaptable.

🟩 Final Score & Summary Table

Result: ✅ 100%

🌟 Closing Thoughts

Creating a Product Backlog full of actionable user stories is one of the most valuable skills in Agile project management. You learned how to:

• Write user stories from real customer needs.

• Define acceptance criteria to ensure quality delivery.

• Spot stories that lead naturally to community or live support features.

If you follow the steps above, you’ll not only pass the quiz but also develop real-world skills you can bring to any Agile team.