Tools Visual State Machines

State Machine Storyboards

Intent

• Explain how users or issues move through states with clear entry/exit rules.
• Support growth loop, launch, or issue triage skills by making transitions explicit.

Inputs

1. State list (e.g., New, Activated, Retained, Churned).
2. Transition triggers (events, metrics, timers).
3. Guard conditions / actions per transition.

Workflow

1. Define legend
   • [STATE] boxes; arrows -->; dotted ..> for optional transitions.
2. Draft storyboard
   • Example:

     [New]
       |
       | signup complete
       v
     [Activated] --fails SLA--> [Churn Risk]
       | retention event
       v
     [Retained]
     

3. Add annotations
   • Edge labels: >=3 sessions, NPS<30.
   • Actions: /{ send email } appended to arrow.
4. Link to metrics
   • Provide query references or analytics dashboards for each transition.
5. Embed in docs
   • Include in PRs/issues or .factory/skills/... referencing file names (e.g., state-machines/activation.txt).

Verification

• Every state has at least one ingress and egress (unless Start/End).
• Triggers clearly defined; no unlabeled arrows.
• Diagram reviewed with product/growth stakeholders for accuracy.