Why should inter-story dependencies be avoided?

Inter-story dependencies should be avoided primarily because they complicate the demonstration of a story. When one user story relies heavily on another to be completed first, it becomes challenging to showcase the functionality and value of the dependent story in isolation. In Agile methodologies, particularly during sprint reviews, the ability to demonstrate working software is crucial. If a story cannot be fully demonstrated because it hinges on another story's completion, it not only disrupts the flow of the review process but also diminishes the transparency and iterative progress that Agile aims to promote.

This reliance on other stories can lead to confusion among stakeholders who are evaluating the progress of the project, as they may not see the complete picture of what has been delivered. Thus, minimizing inter-story dependencies allows for clearer demonstrations of individual user stories, enabling better communication, understanding, and validation of each story's functionality.