On what basis is the merge order of user stories into the promotion branch determined?

The merge order of user stories into the promotion branch is determined by the User Story Reference field in ascending order. This means that when user stories are ready to be merged, they are processed starting from the lowest reference number to the highest. This approach ensures a systematic integration of features and can help maintain the integrity and sequence of developments during the merging process.

Using the ascending reference numbers is crucial as it often aligns with how user stories are prioritized and created, facilitating a more organized workflow. Such an arrangement not only reflects chronological developments but also helps developers and stakeholders track progress and dependencies effectively throughout the version control system.

Contextually, other options such as descending order or alphabetical arrangement would not provide the same level of clarity and organization. Prioritizing based on user story names or reference numbers in descending order could lead to confusion and potentially overlooked dependencies that are necessary for successful integration.