Building Blocks of Your Product: Decompose User Stories
UI/UX
10
Minutes
Dec 11, 2025
Product development, in the scope of software and web services, is a process imbued with meticulous strategy and planning. One of the most valuable tools in a developer's arsenal is the user story — a high-level definition of what the final product needs to accomplish. However, breaking down these user stories into manageable tasks, a process known as decomposition, is where the rubber meets the road in product development. It allows teams to transform big-picture ideas into actionable tasks, making the process more manageable and considerably more streamlined.
Understanding User Stories
User stories are informal, natural language descriptions of one or more aspects of a software system. They capture what a user is supposed to do or achieve without specifying how the task is to be accomplished. The beauty of user stories is in their simplicity and focus on the user's perspective, which guides developers to craft solutions that meet users' needs effectively. They are typically written from the user's perspective, encapsulating their desires and expectations in a simple, understandable narrative.
The Art of Decomposition
Decomposition is a strategy for managing complexity in large projects. It involves breaking down user stories into smaller, more manageable components, known as tasks. These tasks provide a clear path for project execution and can be allocated to individual team members, thereby promoting efficiency and productivity. Decomposition is a potent tool that allows for better project management and avoids the pitfall of overwhelming complexity.
How to Decompose User Stories
The process of decomposition should start with a comprehensive understanding of the user story. This includes who the user is, what they want to achieve, and why they want to achieve it. With this understanding, the story can now be broken down into its fundamental tasks.
Starting from the user's end goal, consider the steps that the user must take to achieve that goal. Each of these steps can be considered as a separate task.
"Consider typical actions like user login, searching for products, making a payment, etc. All these are separate tasks that contribute toward fulfilling the user story."
Once the tasks have been established, the next step is to prioritize them. This can be accomplished based on the value they add to the end product, their complexity, or their dependency on other tasks.
The Benefits of Decomposition
Decomposing user stories has several benefits. Firstly, it improves focus and understanding. Breaking down a story into tasks allows team members to concentrate on small, specific parts of the project, instead of the whole story, improving understanding and productivity. Secondly, it aids in uncovering hidden complexities that would otherwise be overlooked, ensuring potential problems are identified early in the development process.
Thirdly, decomposition fosters ownership and accountability. When tasks are allocated to individuals or smaller groups, they take responsibility for the completion of that task, making them more invested in the project's success. Lastly, decomposition enhances visibility. With each task defined and assigned, project progress can be tracked easily, leading to improved management and control.
In Conclusion
Decomposition of user stories is a fundamental aspect of product development. It breaks down complex projects into manageable tasks, ensuring that each team member understands their role and knows what they need to accomplish. It not only improves productivity and project management but also ensures the final product meets user expectations and adds value to the end user. Mastering the art of decomposition can be the defining factor between product success and failure in today's competitive digital landscape.
With the advent of SwiftUI, a declarative UI toolkit from Apple, the landscape of cross-platform app development has experienced a significant shift. Swift UI, which essentially simplifies the process of creating beautiful and seamless UIs for all Apple platforms, has raised questions on the future of Flutter, Google's very own UI toolkit. This article aims to explore the implications of SwiftUI on the growth and existence of Flutter.
Understanding SwiftUI and Flutter
Before delving into the interplay between SwiftUI and Flutter, it's important to understand their individuality. SwiftUI, introduced at the 2019 WWDC, is used for creating interactive and engaging UIs for any Apple device using just one set of tools and APIs. Written in Swift, it uses a declarative syntax, which means you just need to state what you want in your UI, and SwiftUI ensures it takes the shape.
Note: SwiftUI's adoption is a reflection of Apple's extensive shift towards a declarative user interface.
On the other hand, Google's Flutter, a free and open-source UI toolkit, is for crafting high-quality native experiences on iOS and Android from a single codebase. Flutter, written in Dart, has been around since 2017, and has managed to create an impressive reputation.
Note: Unlike SwiftUI, Flutter is not confined to the ecosystem of a single company, i.e., it can work outside of Android and iOS.
Impact of SwiftUI on Flutter
The introduction of SwiftUI poses a different set of opportunities and challenges for Flutter. For one, SwiftUI's design and functionality could lead to a higher adoption rate amongst Apple developers, potentially eating into the user base of Flutter. Developers who work exclusively with Apple ecosystems may prefer to adopt SwiftUI over Flutter because of better integration and support within the Apple ecosystem.
Note: A single SwiftUI codebase can be used across Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
However, SwiftUI operates within the Apple ecosystem exclusively, limiting its direct threat to Flutter. Flutter’s strength lies in its versatility—it’s cross-platform and can be used not only for iOS and Android but also for web and desktop applications. This versatility coupled with a robust tooling system and seamless performance could well hold its ground amidst SwiftUI's increasing popularity.
Note: Flutter uses the Dart programming language, which though not as popular as Swift, has seen a steady rise in its popularity because of Flutter.
Conclusion
The advent of SwiftUI, though seemingly a threat to the Flutter community, is not an obliteration. On the contrary, it might lead to the growth and enhancement of Flutter as SwiftUI's workings may influence Flutter’s future developments. The world of software development thrives on diversity and innovation, and both SwiftUI and Flutter contribute to this diversity.
Note: Both SwiftUI and Flutter hold their unique positions in the software development landscape and will continue to do so, shaping the way for future developments.
Cross-platform development refers to the practice of developing software products or services for multiple platforms or software ecosystems. This technique allows developers to create applications that can run on various platforms using a single code base, which includes platform-specific languages, interfaces, and capabilities. This strategy is commonly used for the development of mobile, desktop, and web applications.
The Shift to Cross-Platform Development
Traditionally, software development involved creating distinct versions of an application for each intended operating system or platform. However, this process can be time-consuming and inefficient, particularly for smaller development teams or those with limited resources. The advent of cross-platform development has helped to address these issues. Today, a growing number of developers are turning to cross-platform solutions to ensure that their applications can reach as many users as possible across a diverse range of devices and systems.
Pros of Cross-Platform Development
1. Cost-Effective:
Cross-platform development reduces the costs associated with creating, testing, and maintaining separate codebases for different platforms. Cutting down on redundancy leads to sizable savings over the application's full life span.
2. Broader Market Reach:
This approach enables developers to easily access a larger user base spread over multiple platforms. With the same application running on different operating systems, the brand has a wider reach and increased visibility.
3. Efficient Development Process:
Cross-platform development supports the strategy of “write once, run everywhere," reducing the amount of time and resources consumed during the development process.
4. Consistency Across Platforms:
UI design consistency is easier to achieve with cross-platform development. Developers can maintain the same look and feel across platforms, offering a unifying brand experience for users.
Cons of Cross-Platform Development
1. Performance Issues:
As cross-platform apps are designed to be universal, they may lack the necessary optimization for each specific platform, leading to performance issues. They might run slower or lag compared to native apps.
2. Limited Access to Native Features:
Cross-platform apps might not have full access to all native platform features or APIs. This can limit the functionality and user experience of the application.
3. Uniform Look and Feel Might be a Disadvantage:
While a consistent design can be an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage because complying with a specific OS’s guidelines for user experience or UI might make the app feel more natural to its users.
4. Dependency on Cross-Platform Tools:
Development of these apps depends on cross-platform development tools. If the tool doesn't support a particular platform or doesn't render correctly, it might require time-consuming manual adjustments.
Popular Cross-Platform Development Tools
Numerous tools can facilitate cross-platform development, like:
1. React Native: Developed by Facebook, React Native allows developers to build mobile apps using only JavaScript.
2. Xamarin: Owned by Microsoft, Xamarin enables developers to use C# for creating apps for any mobile platform.
3. Flutter: Google’s UI toolkit, Flutter, is used to create natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.
The Future of Cross-Platform Development
The future of cross-platform development looks promising. Industry trends suggest that more businesses will continue to adopt cross-platform development to maximize their reach and minimize costs. While there are trade-offs, including potential performance issues and limited access to native features, these could potentially diminish as the technology evolves.
In conclusion, cross-platform development stands out as a practical strategy for businesses and developers aiming to reach a broad audience while keeping costs and development times down. However, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully when deciding whether this method suits their development needs.
For custom software development, visit us at Zee Palm
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has introduced new regulations requiring state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities. These new rules mandate compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards.
Key Points:
Websites and apps must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for assistive technologies.
Compliance deadlines are April 24, 2026 for governments with a population of 50,000 or more, and April 26, 2027 for smaller governments and special districts.
The rule sets a precedent for private businesses, particularly those that are public accommodations or receive federal funding, to ensure digital accessibility.
To comply, entities should:
Use automated tools and manual evaluations to identify accessibility issues.
Implement accessibility management platforms to track and manage efforts.
Gather feedback from users with disabilities.
Use semantic HTML and ARIA attributes.
Ensure consistent layout and navigation.
Entity TypeDescriptionState and Local GovernmentsOffices providing benefits, services, schools, police, courts, hospitals, parks, libraries, transit, etc.Special District GovernmentsWater, sewer, fire, library districts, and other special districts.Educational InstitutionsUniversities and colleges, part of state and local government entity type.
Exceptions:
Archived content meeting specific conditions.
Preexisting conventional documents not needed for current purposes.
Third-party content not pursuant to contractual arrangements.
By understanding the key points and taking proactive steps, you can ensure your digital services are inclusive, accessible, and compliant with the DOJ's new regulations.
Standards for Following the Rules
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has set specific standards for state and local governments to follow when making their websites and mobile applications accessible. These standards are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
WCAG 2.1 Level AA is an internationally recognized standard that outlines criteria for making digital content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. The standard is divided into four main principles:
PrincipleDescriptionPerceivableContent must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This includes providing text alternatives for non-text content, creating captions and audio descriptions for multimedia, and ensuring information and user interface components have adequate contrast.OperableUser interface components and navigation must be operable. This involves making all functionality available from a keyboard, providing users enough time to read and use content, and helping users navigate and find content.UnderstandableContent and user interface operations must be understandable. This requires making text readable and understandable, making web pages appear and operate in predictable ways, and helping users avoid and correct mistakes.RobustContent must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This involves maximizing compatibility with current and future user agents.
What about WCAG 2.2?
While the DOJ has referenced WCAG 2.1 in this rule, it acknowledges that WCAG 2.2 is the latest version. However, due to the extensive educational resources available for WCAG 2.1 and the rulemaking process requiring a specific version reference, WCAG 2.1 Level AA remains the current requirement.
Exceptions and Allowances
The DOJ has clarified that while full conformance to WCAG 2.1 Level AA is expected, minor instances of non-conformance may be permissible if it can be demonstrated that they do not impact the ability of individuals with disabilities to access and use the content or functionality. Additionally, the rule provides allowances for specific situations where an alternative conforming version can be provided when making the original content accessible is not possible.
Deadlines for Following the Rules
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has set specific deadlines for state and local governments to comply with the new web and app accessibility rules. These deadlines vary based on the population size of the government entity.
Compliance Timelines
The following deadlines apply:
Population SizeDeadline50,000 or moreApril 24, 2026Less than 50,000, and special district governmentsApril 26, 2027
These deadlines provide a clear timeline for governments to ensure their websites and mobile applications meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. It's essential for developers and businesses to understand these deadlines and plan accordingly to ensure compliance.
What do these deadlines mean for developers and businesses?
These deadlines mean that developers and businesses working with state and local governments must:
Ensure all new websites and mobile applications meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards from the outset.
Retrofit existing websites and mobile applications to meet these standards within the specified deadlines.
By understanding these deadlines and requirements, developers and businesses can proactively plan and budget for accessibility compliance, avoiding potential legal issues and ensuring equal access to government services for individuals with disabilities.
Entity Types and Requirements
The Department of Justice's (DOJ) new web and app accessibility rule applies to various entity types, classified based on population size. Understanding these entity types and their requirements is crucial for developers, businesses, and governments to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Entity Types
The following entity types are subject to the rule:
Entity TypeDescriptionState and Local GovernmentsOffices that provide benefits and/or social services, public schools, community colleges, public universities, police departments, courts, elections offices, public hospitals, public healthcare clinics, public parks, recreation programs, public libraries, and public transit agencies.Special District GovernmentsWater and sewer districts, fire districts, library districts, and other special districts.Educational InstitutionsUniversities and colleges, considered part of state and local government entity type.
Requirements
All entity types must ensure their websites and mobile applications meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. Deadlines for compliance vary based on population size.
It is essential for developers, businesses, and governments to understand the entity types and requirements outlined in the DOJ's new web and app accessibility rule. By doing so, they can ensure compliance with the ADA and provide equal access to government services for individuals with disabilities.
Exceptions to Following the Rules
The DOJ's new web and app accessibility rule provides exceptions for certain types of content, reducing the burden on state and local governments to make all their digital assets accessible. These exceptions are crucial to understand, as they can impact the scope of accessibility efforts.
Archived Content
The rule exempts archived web content that meets specific conditions. To qualify, the content must:
Have been created before the compliance date
Be retained exclusively for reference, research, or recordkeeping
Not be altered or updated after archiving
Be stored and organized in a dedicated area clearly identified as archival
This exception acknowledges that archived content is not regularly used or updated, making it less critical to prioritize accessibility.
Preexisting Conventional Documents
The rule also exempts preexisting "conventional electronic documents," such as PDFs, word processing documents, presentation format documents, and spreadsheet file formats. These documents are exempt if:
ConditionDescriptionCreated before compliance deadlineDocuments created before the compliance deadline are exemptNot needed for current purposesDocuments not necessary for current government programs, services, or activities are exempt
However, if these documents are still necessary for current purposes, they must be made accessible.
Content Posted by Third Parties
Third-party website content is also exempt, unless it is posted pursuant to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with a covered entity. For example:
A government entity's social media account may have user-generated content that is not accessible, but this content is exempt from the rule.
If the government entity links to third-party content that is necessary to participate in their programs, services, or activities, that content must be made accessible.
Conventional electronic documents that are personalized about a specific individual or specific property and not of general interest to users of the government entity's services are exempt if they are password-protected or otherwise secured. While these documents are exempt, the public entity may still need to convert them to an accessible format based on a disabled user's request.
Understanding these exceptions is vital to ensure that state and local governments prioritize accessibility efforts effectively, focusing on the most critical digital assets and minimizing unnecessary burdens.
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Strategies for Following the Rules
To comply with the new web and app accessibility regulations, it's crucial to implement practical strategies that prioritize accessibility. Here are some effective approaches to consider:
Automated Tools and Manual Evaluations
Use automated tools, such as accessibility scanners and auditing software, to identify potential accessibility issues in your digital assets. These tools can help you detect issues related to color contrast, image alt text, and keyboard navigation, among others. However, it's essential to supplement automated testing with manual evaluations to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
Accessibility Management Platforms
Invest in accessibility management platforms that provide a centralized dashboard to track and manage accessibility efforts across your organization. These platforms can help you identify areas of improvement, assign tasks, and monitor progress.
Feedback from Users with Disabilities
Gather feedback from users with disabilities to gain valuable insights into the accessibility of your digital assets. This feedback can help you identify issues that may not be caught through automated testing or manual evaluations.
Semantic HTML and ARIA Attributes
Use semantic HTML and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to ensure that your digital assets are accessible to users with disabilities. Semantic HTML provides a clear structure to your content, making it easier for assistive technologies to interpret, while ARIA attributes provide additional information about dynamic content and interactive elements.
Consistent Layout and Navigation
Implement a consistent layout and navigation across your digital assets to ensure that users with disabilities can easily navigate and find the information they need.
By incorporating these strategies into your accessibility efforts, you can ensure that your digital assets are accessible to users with disabilities and comply with the new regulations.
Key Takeaways
StrategyDescriptionAutomated Tools and Manual EvaluationsIdentify accessibility issues using automated tools and manual evaluationsAccessibility Management PlatformsTrack and manage accessibility efforts across your organizationFeedback from Users with DisabilitiesGather feedback to identify accessibility issuesSemantic HTML and ARIA AttributesEnsure accessibility using semantic HTML and ARIA attributesConsistent Layout and NavigationImplement consistent layout and navigation for easy navigation
By following these strategies, you can ensure that your digital assets are accessible to users with disabilities and comply with the new web and app accessibility regulations.
Impact on Private Businesses
The Department of Justice's (DOJ) new web and app accessibility rule is expected to have a broader impact beyond state and local governments, influencing website accessibility requirements for private-sector businesses and entities receiving federal funding.
Private Businesses Should Take Note
Although the regulation is limited to state and local governments, it sets a precedent for private businesses, particularly those that are public accommodations or recipients of federal funding. Industries such as higher education and healthcare, which are filled with private entities that are recipients of federal financial assistance, can expect the DOJ to soon make this regulation applicable to recipients under the Rehabilitation Act.
Preparing for Accessibility
Private businesses should prepare to ensure their websites and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities. This may involve:
Using automated tools and manual evaluations to identify accessibility issues
Implementing accessibility management platforms to track and manage accessibility efforts
Gathering feedback from users with disabilities to identify areas of improvement
Using semantic HTML and ARIA attributes to ensure accessibility
By understanding the implications of the DOJ's new web and app accessibility rule, private businesses can proactively take steps to ensure their digital assets are accessible and compliant with the regulations, ultimately providing equal access to their goods, services, and programs for people with disabilities.
Key Points and Getting Ready
The Department of Justice's (DOJ) new web and app accessibility rule is a significant step towards ensuring equal access to digital services for people with disabilities. As state and local governments, private businesses, and recipients of federal funding prepare to comply with the regulations, it's essential to understand the key takeaways and implications.
Key Takeaways
The DOJ's new rule requires state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities, following the technical standards outlined in WCAG 2.1 AA.
The rule sets a precedent for private businesses, particularly those that are public accommodations or recipients of federal funding, to ensure their digital assets are accessible and compliant.
The regulation emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to ensure inclusivity and compliance in the tech industry.
Getting Ready
To stay ahead of the curve, it's crucial to:
StepAction1Familiarize yourself with the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines and technical standards.2Conduct accessibility audits and identify areas of improvement for your website and mobile app.3Develop a plan to implement accessibility features and ensure ongoing compliance.4Stay informed about updates and developments in web and app accessibility regulations.
By understanding the key points and taking proactive steps, you can ensure your digital services are inclusive, accessible, and compliant with the DOJ's new regulations.
Review and refine your website's backend code to ensure it adheres to accessibility standards.
By following these steps, you can make your website more inclusive and accessible to users with disabilities, while also avoiding potential legal issues.
Do you feel like mobile apps are just not smart enough?
Well, there are a lot of other people who would agree with that. Most mobile apps are still designed with a one-size-fits-all approach, which can lead to a suboptimal experience for users. But that is starting to change, thanks to artificial intelligence.
AI is rapidly changing the world, and mobile app development is no exception. AI can be used to enhance personalization and user engagement, improve the app’s security, automate the development process, increase efficiency and productivity, the list goes on. In this article, we will discuss how developers can benefit from AI and how it is being implemented in mobile apps today.
Benefits of Using AI in Mobile App Development:
1. Enhanced Personalization and User Experience:
AI can be used to analyze user data and preferences to provide personalized recommendations and experiences, resulting in better user engagement and satisfaction. 65% of users are more likely to use an app if it offers personalized recommendations.
Examples:
Spotify: This music streaming platform uses AI algorithms to analyze users' listening behaviors and recommends songs that they are likely to enjoy. This has resulted in over 4 billion personalized playlists being created on Spotify, and users spending an average of 2.8 hours per day listening to the app.
Netflix: Using AI Netflix recommends, movies and TV shows to users based on their viewing history, ratings, and other factors. This has resulted in Netflix users watching an average of 13 hours of content per week.
Using AI techniques to enhance user experience and personalization, developers can create more engaging apps resulting in increased revenue and user retention.
2. Improved App Security:
AI can be used to detect and prevent fraud and unauthorized access to apps. A study by IBM found that AI-powered security solutions can reduce the risk of breaches by up to 95%. Fraud detection apps use AI to analyze transaction data to identify deceptive activity patterns such as suspicious login attempts or unauthorized transactions. AI can be used to scan apps for malicious code such as viruses, trojans, and worms.
According to a report by Juniper Research, AI-powered fraud detection solutions are expected to save businesses $26 billion by 2026.
Examples:
Gaming Apps: Many gaming companies use AI to prevent cheating and protect their users’ accounts.
Banking Apps: Banks are now using AI to detect fraudulent transactions and protect their customers from identity theft and loss of assets.
3. Better App Analytics:
AI can be used to provide insights into user behavior and usage patterns, which can help developers improve the app’s design and functionality. App analytics software can use AI to track user engagement, identify areas where users are having troubles, and segment users based on their behaviors such as active users, and inactive users helping the developers make better marketing strategies.
A study by Google found that apps that use AI-driven analytics can see a 20% increase in user engagement and a 10% increase in revenue.
Example:
Uber: Uber uses AI to track rider behavior and predict demand, which helps to ensure that there are always enough drivers available.
The graph shows that apps using AI-driven analytics can see a significant increase in user engagement and revenue. Because, AI can help developers to identify and fix problems, target their marketing efforts more effectively, and predict future user behaviour.
4. Automated App Development:
AI can be used to automate tasks such as code generation and testing, which can save developers a lot of time and resources. Code generation tools can use AI to generate code based on user requirements, AI can be used to automate the deployment of apps ensuring the apps are deployed quickly and efficiently. According to a report by Gartner, AI-powered tools are expected to automate 25% of app development tasks by 2025.
Examples:
AppLift: AppLift is a company that uses AI to automate the testing of mobile apps. AppLift's AI-powered platform can automatically test apps on a variety of devices and operating systems, and identify bugs and performance issues.
Tesla: Tesla uses AI to automate the development of its self-driving cars. This allows Tesla to develop new features quickly and improve the safety of their cars.
5. Innovative Features:
AI can be used to create new and innovative features for mobile apps. for example, Augmented Reality (AR) apps can use AI to overlay digital information in the real world, such as directions or product information. AI can be used to create virtual assistance to help with scheduling appointments or making purchases etc.
Examples:
Google Maps: It uses AI to provide augmented reality directions overlaid on the real world, helping users to navigate more easily.
Snapchat: It uses AI to create lenses that can be used to overlay digital effects on the real world allowing users to express creativity and have fun.
By creating new and innovative features, AI can help mobile apps stand out from the competition and attract more users
As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and user-friendly mobile apps that are powered by AI. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with mobile apps, and it is only a matter of time before it becomes an essential part of mobile app development. If you are a mobile app developer, you should start exploring how you can use AI in your apps. There are many ways to do this, and the possibilities are endless. By using AI, you can create apps that are more personalized, engaging, and secure. You can also use AI to automate tasks and improve your app's efficiency and productivity. The future of mobile app development is bright, and AI is a big part of that. So what are you waiting for? Start exploring how you can use AI in your apps today!
For custom software development, visit us at Zee Palm
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