Final answer:
A User Story in Agile development includes 'Who,' 'Why,' and 'What' components, detailing the user involved, the reason for the feature, and what the feature should accomplish. 'How,' 'Level of Risk,' and 'Definition of Done' are not usually part of the User Story but are still important in the project's broader context.
Step-by-step explanation:
A User Story is a tool used in Agile software development to capture a description of a software feature from an end-user perspective. A User Story should include three critical components to ensure it effectively conveys the necessary information to the development team. These components are Who, Why, and What. The 'Who' answers the question of who is involved or who will benefit from the feature. The 'Why' addresses the reason behind the need for the feature, and the 'What' describes the feature's functionality or what the user wants to accomplish. This structure helps to make goals specific and facilitates a better understanding of the user's needs.
While the 'How' is a natural part of the development process, it is typically not included in a User Story to allow developers the creativity and flexibility in how they implement a solution. The 'Level of Risk' and 'Definition of Done' are also important in Agile development, but these are usually articulated separately within the project's definition of risks and the acceptance criteria, respectively.
When crafting a User Story, the 5 W's (Who, What, Where, When, Why) are a helpful framework, with the 'How' also providing insight, even if it is not part of the User Story itself.