In the world of software development, efficiency and clarity in planning aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential for any project’s success. That’s where StackSpot AI, a hyper-contextualized generative AI platform, comes into play. Beyond its core functionalities, backlog refinement capabilities make this a transformative solution.
Backlogs and user stories are the heartbeat of agile development. A well-maintained backlog keeps teams aligned with product goals, while clearly written user stories turn customer needs into deliverable features.
At Itaú Unibanco, refining these stories used to be a manual, time-consuming process. But with the adoption of StackSpot AI, the task has become a strategic driver of innovation and efficiency. This case shows how the right technology can completely transform how teams work, giving the organization a competitive edge.
Let’s take a look at how the partnership between StackSpot and Itaú Unibanco helped streamline processes, solve critical challenges, and deliver standout results—like reducing story refinement time by 88%.
The Challenge: Incomplete Backlogs and High Planning Costs
Maintaining a well-structured backlog is one of the biggest hurdles in the development lifecycle. For Itaú Unibanco, Latin America’s largest private bank, the complexity was magnified by the scale of its operations and constant pressure to innovate.
With an engineering team still adapting to AWS architecture and managing three data platform products, finding a solution to streamline the development process became mission-critical.
Take a look at what they were up against:
- Backlogs were often incomplete or nonexistent, making strategic planning a struggle.
- Teams relied heavily on spreadsheets, limiting visibility and collaboration.
- Product Managers were overwhelmed, juggling strategic and operational duties.
- Planning was expensive, especially when it came to backlogs, roadmaps, and releases.
The Solution: StackSpot AI for Backlog Refinement and Story Creation
Introducing StackSpot AI marked a major turning point for the teams at Itaú Unibanco. With its hyper-contextualized generative capabilities, StackSpot AI automated repetitive tasks, streamlined component reuse, reduced human error, and scaled development operations.
The standout features that made a difference included:
1. Quick Commands for User Story Templates
By applying consistent templates, user stories became standardized, making them easier for development teams to understand and implement.
2. Quick Commands for Acceptance Criteria
Clear, predefined criteria ensured that each story met functional, performance, usability, and security standards, raising the bar for overall product quality.
3. AI Agent
A dedicated AI agent helped organize, prioritize, and enrich tasks, keeping the backlog well-structured and aligned with project goals.
See the AI Agent in action on our YouTube channel:
Technical and Business Results
The adoption of StackSpot AI at Itaú Unibanco delivered impressive results across the board. The bank’s technology teams saw gains in speed, efficiency, quality, and security—enhancing every phase of the software development lifecycle.
“In a highly competitive environment, automation doesn’t replace people—it empowers them to deliver even more value. StackSpot AI proves that solutions like this aren’t just a differentiator, but a necessity for companies aiming for market leadership and products that truly resonate with users.”
—Carlos Eduardo Mazzei, Director of Technology, Itaú Unibanco
Here’s a snapshot of the outcomes from this refinement journey:
Technical Results
- 88% reduction in average refinement time for user stories.
What was once a bottleneck is now a streamlined, efficient process.
- 40% increase in the average number of stories delivered per month.
Team productivity shot up, enabling faster and more consistent deliveries.
- 21% improvement in user story quality.
Better-written stories enhanced team alignment and technical execution.
Business Results
- Planning time drastically reduced.
Teams now spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time creating business value.
- Product Managers are more strategic.
With operational duties automated, PMs could focus on higher-level decision-making.
The transformation with StackSpot AI
This case highlights more than just productivity gains in backlog refinement or user story creation—it shows how StackSpot AI reshaped the very way teams work at Itaú Unibanco. With improved clarity, quality, and efficiency, teams now concentrate on what really matters: building innovative, customer-focused solutions.
If your team struggles with planning and execution, now’s the perfect time to see what StackSpot AI can do for you. From saving time to scaling impact, this is the boost your development lifecycle needs.
Discover how StackSpot AI can transform your company’s software development.
**This article was written with the assistance of a StackSpot AI agent.
