What are user stories in Agile methodologies?

User stories in Agile methodologies are indeed descriptions of functionality from an end user's perspective. They serve as a key element of Agile development, representing a simple and concise way to articulate the needs and requirements of users. Each user story typically follows a standard format that includes a user type, the action they want to perform, and the value or benefit they expect to gain from it. For example, a user story might be phrased as, "As a [type of user], I want [an action] so that [a benefit]."

This focus on the end user's perspective helps teams prioritize features and enhancements based on actual user needs, ensuring that the product developed aligns closely with what users find valuable. This approach promotes collaboration between stakeholders and development teams, fostering a common understanding of desired functionality.

The other options reflect different aspects of project management or technical documentation but do not accurately capture the essence of user stories in Agile. Detailed project documentation, summaries of schedules, and technical specifications serve different purposes and contexts in project management and software development but do not align with the Agile philosophy of user-centric, iterative development.