User Story Mapping Template

Build products customers will love with a user story mapping template that will help you visualize all the steps needed to get there. Based on this extensive outline, you'll then be able to prioritize projects more efficiently so that you reach goals faster.

What is user story mapping?

User story mapping offers a visual representation of users' interaction with a product. It lays out all the possible steps included in this process, highlighting those that are the most beneficial for customers, and helps prioritize the projects that must be worked on next. Much like the empathy map template, the user story mapping template is an efficient tool in gathering valuable customer insights, helping companies to understand their clients better so they can create products that truly match their needs.

What is a user story?

User stories are vital components of the user mapping process. Such stories bridge the gap between users' requirements and business values, helping to create products that users love by clearly outlining all the steps needed to be completed beforehand.

Each user story should follow a standard user story format to ensure organizations get the most out of this process. Also, every story should refer to a small goal, so that when they add up, they can form a complete picture.

Avoid vague user story structures such as:

As a current customer, I want to use this user story mapping template to create better products for my customers.

Instead, consider the following example:

As a current customer, I want to use this user story mapping template to map out all the possible actions my clients can choose to interact with my product.

Who can work with a user story mapping template?

Since this process involves knowing every aspect of a product, it is recommended to include a diverse variety of team members, each with its expertise in a particular area.

From stakeholders - people who know how the new product will bring in revenue - to developers, testers, designers, or customer experience professionals, everyone should contribute to this process.

Benefits of user story mapping templates

User story mapping brings multiple benefits, all of which you will experience first hand during this process. Here is what you can expect:

1. Focus on the user

User story maps focus solely on users. It's an incredible benefit, as it forces teams to look at a product from a user perspective and analyze it accordingly. Prioritizing new product feature releases based on what users need and not on those nice-to-have features improves customer relationships and secures their retention.

2. Efficient project prioritization

Being able to see each user story framed within an extensive product roadmap is a great tool that helps decide what projects need to be worked on right now and which ones hold less significant importance and can be postponed.

3. Manageable bite-sized stories

Writing user stories can sometimes be challenging. When this happens, it's useful to outline the user journey for your product. This way, you'll be able to break down big stories into small bite-sized ones, ensuring each user story serves a goal.

4. Increased customer value deliveries

Prioritizing projects based on immediate user value will help you learn more about what customers want. In return, they will be happy with the offering, and you will receive positive feedback across the board.

5. Goal alignment across the team

User story mapping makes use of team collaboration as a primary organizational feature. Shared perspectives and contributions to the flow of the user journey, as well as understanding the significance of a feature over another, makes it easier to reach team consensus.

Using the user story mapping template in Moqups

As team collaboration is a crucial element when it comes to user story mapping, our template comes with an integrated feature that lets you collaborate in real-time with your team.

Moqups also provides a set of other features just as important that will help you in the process. Use our sticky notes option to share ideas, leave comments, or annotate significant events.

If you are looking to extend the customer research process for your company, consider mixing this user story mapping template with our empathy map. You'll be amazed by the amount of new things you will learn about your customers.