What defines a 'User Story' in Agile methodology?

In Agile methodology, a 'User Story' is defined as a narrative format that captures user requirements. This format emphasizes the user's perspective and articulates what users need from the system, often structured as "As a [role], I want [goal] so that [reason]." This approach helps ensure that development is aligned with user needs and facilitates better communication between stakeholders and development teams.

User Stories are deliberately kept simple and short, focusing on the value and outcome from the user's viewpoint. This method encourages collaboration and encourages developers to think about the customer experience rather than getting lost in technical specifications or features.

The other choices represent different concepts that do not align with the essence of a User Story. For instance, a detailed technical specification may serve its purpose for developers but lacks the user-centered focus of a User Story. A high-level project overview summarizes the primary goals without getting into user-specific needs, while a list of features prioritized by the team is more about planning and development than expressing user requirements. Therefore, recognizing User Stories as narratives centered on the users helps clarify their role in the Agile development process.