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Three Amigos

Overview

A Three Amigos Session is a collaborative meeting in Agile development where three key roles — Business (Product Owner), Development, and QA (Quality Assurance) — come together to discuss and refine user stories before implementation. The goal is to ensure shared understanding, improve requirements, and reduce misunderstandings early in the development cycle.

Who are the "Three Amigos"?

Role Responsibility
Product Owner (Business Representative) Ensures the user story aligns with business value and customer needs.
Developer (Engineering Representative) Provides technical insights and feasibility concerns.
Tester (QA Representative) Defines test scenarios, edge cases, and ensures acceptance criteria are clear.

Purpose of a Three Amigos Session

  1. Clarify Requirements – Ensure the user story is well-defined and meets business needs.
  2. Define Acceptance Criteria – Set clear, testable conditions for when the feature is "done."
  3. Identify Edge Cases & Risks – Catch potential issues before coding starts.
  4. Align Development & Testing – Ensure both developers and testers have the same understanding.
  5. Reduce Rework – Avoid misunderstandings that can lead to costly fixes later.

When is a Three Amigos Session Held?

  • Before Sprint Planning – To refine user stories before commitment.
  • Before Development Starts – To ensure clarity and alignment on work items.
  • During Backlog Grooming – As part of the backlog refinement process.

Three Amigos Session Agenda

  1. Review the User Story – Ensure the description is clear.
  2. Define & Validate Acceptance Criteria – Use Given-When-Then (BDD format).
  3. Identify Edge Cases & Exceptions – Discuss potential risks or limitations.
  4. Discuss Technical Feasibility – Developers assess implementation challenges.
  5. Define Test Scenarios – QA team ensures testability.
  6. Agree on Next Steps – Adjust the story as needed before development.

Example Using Given-When-Then Format

User Story:
"As a user, I want to reset my password so that I can regain access to my account."

Acceptance Criteria (BDD Format):

Given I am on the password reset page,
when I enter my registered email and submit,
then I should receive a password reset email.

or

Given I enter an unregistered email,
when I submit the form,
then I should see an error message.

Benefits of a Three Amigos Session

  • Ensures Shared Understanding – Avoids misinterpretation between teams.
  • Improves Requirements – Helps refine and improve user stories before development.
  • Reduces Defects – Identifies issues early, leading to fewer production bugs.
  • Speeds Up Development – Fewer clarifications needed after coding starts.
  • Enhances Collaboration – Encourages teamwork between business, development, and QA.

Best Practices for a Successful Three Amigos Session

  • Keep it Short and Focused – Typically 15-30 minutes per story.
  • Use BDD Format – Given-When-Then helps create clear testable criteria.
  • Encourage Open Discussion – All participants should share their perspectives.
  • Update Stories Immediately – Refine backlog items in real-time.
  • Involve More Amigos If Needed – UX designers, security, or DevOps can join when relevant.

Conclusion

A Three Amigos Session is a crucial Agile practice that fosters cross-functional collaboration, improves requirement clarity, and minimizes development risks.

By bringing together business, development, and testing, teams can ensure higher-quality software with fewer surprises.