Mobile App User Flow Diagrams
User Flow is not a pretty presentation diagram for investors. It's a working document that captures all branching points of user scenario: what happens on validation error, where "Forgot password" leads, what the screen shows after successful payment. Without this the developer makes these decisions alone — and they diverge from PM and designer expectations.
What distinguishes working User Flow from decorative
Decorative flow — linear happy path without branches. Working flow — covers all states:
- Happy path — main scenario without errors
- Error states — wrong password, no internet, server unavailable, timeout
- Edge cases — empty state, first launch, expired session
- Alternative paths — "sign in with Google", "skip onboarding", "return to editing"
For typical registration flow this is already 12–18 states instead of three steps "entered email → entered password → logged in".
Tools and format
Draw in FigJam, Miro or Whimsical. Each node — screen or system state. Each edge — user action or system trigger (e.g., successful API response). Use color coding: green — success path, red — error states, gray — intermediate system states (loading, pending).
Build diagrams by priority flows: onboarding, authentication, key action (order placement / record creation / payment sending). Peripheral flows — profile, settings — optional.
Timeline
Developing User Flow for 3–5 key scenarios — 1 working day. Result: file with diagrams, PDF export for stakeholder agreement.