Create User flows in GitLab

A user flow is a path taken by a prototypical user on a website or app to complete a task. This path is a series of steps the user takes towards the successful outcome or a final action.

e.g. A typical user flow of an e-commerce website: User lands on the home page → User clicks the landing page banner of a product → User lands on a product page → User adds the product to cart → Stop

User flows can be simple and linear like the example above and also complex with branches and conditions. They can help us map out all the entry and exit points in a user's journey.

Problem to solve

In the present scheme of things, designers can share static images when collaborating on an issue in GitLab. Design proposals are usually a collection of images and textual specifications. GitLab should offer tools to improve design discussions.

Proposal

User flows can be a great addition to improve design discussions in GitLab. Designers can create a user flow and communicate a skeletal view of what they have in mind. Other stakeholders can post their comments on the user flow. When the designer is ready with wireframes or detailed designs, they can upload these images for each step of the user flow. User flows can be a first-class citizen in GitLab, right along-side issues, and epics. Also, they can be added to an issue as an artifact for discussion.

Vision

Simple user flows with static images can give way to low-fidelity prototypes. These prototypes can be used in UX research (A/B testing) and product documentation.