Splitting User Stories

Correct Answer: Split it by the modules it impacts, creating a user story for each module.

When managing and refining large user stories, or 'epics', the most effective method is often to break the story down by its subsystems or components - in this case, the different modules it impacts. Each of these modules can then become its own user story which can be tackled in individual sprints. This method allows the team to focus on one module at a time, improving overall code quality and manageability. The other answers suggest breaking down the story by code complexity or into coding, testing, and integration tasks, or even splitting it randomly. These methods, although possible, can lead to an uneven workload, confusion amongst team members about who is responsible for what, and loss of the context of the overall user story. By breaking up the story based on the modules it impacts, the team can more effectively manage their work and maintain consistency and understanding of the overall goal.

Correct Answer: Split the user story into smaller stories that each deliver value.

The best way to handle a user story that is too large for a sprint is to break it down into smaller, manageable pieces that can be completed within the sprint, each delivering value. Prioritizing the user story as the only one to work on does not ensure it fits the sprint, pushing the release date is not a sustainable practice and goes against Scrum principles of time-boxed sprints, and encouraging the team to artificially increase their velocity undermines the accurate estimation and planning process.

Correct Answer: Refine the backlog item by splitting it into smaller, more estimable pieces

The best approach when dealing with a complex and uncertain user story is to break it down into smaller pieces that the team can manage more easily. This facilitates estimating, understanding, and implementing each piece. Allocating additional time or increasing story points without altering the structure does not address the underlying issue of complexity and uncertainty. Holding a Sprint Zero focused on complex user stories is not a recognized Scrum practice and could lead to delays in delivering value.