User Story Map for Jira - Types of User Story Maps

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1. Basic User Story Map

The basic linear User Story Map is a simplified visual representation of user stories arranged sequentially, reflecting the user journey flow or product workflow. It consists of a linear structure where user stories are listed one after another without grouping epics or themes.

Key characteristics of the basic linear User Story Map include:

• Sequential arrangement: User stories are organized in the order they are encountered by the user, providing a logical flow of functionalities.
• User-centric perspective: The map focuses on the user's journey and the sequence of interactions with the product.
• Clear visualization: The basic linear User Story Map offers a straightforward and easily understandable visualization, allowing teams to grasp the user story progression quickly.
• Prioritization implication: The placement of user stories in the linear sequence may imply their relative priority, with early user stories indicating higher priority features.

The basic linear User Story Map is useful in scenarios where a more granular categorization of user stories or complex relationships between themes and epics are unnecessary. It provides a concise overview of the user journey and product functionality, aiding in Agile teams' communication, planning, and prioritization.

2. Hierarchical User Story Map

The Hierarchical User Story Map is a type of User Story Map that organizes user stories in a hierarchical structure to manage complex projects more effectively. It offers a multi-level view of the product's functionality and relationships between user stories.

Key characteristics of the Hierarchical User Story Map include:

• Hierarchical structure: User stories are organized into levels of granularity, providing a layered view of the product's functionalities and features.
• Epics and themes: User stories are grouped into broader categories called epics, representing major functionalities or features. Themes further categorize user stories within each epic, allowing for a more focused organization.
• Relationships and dependencies: The Hierarchical User Story Map visualizes the relationships and dependencies between epics, themes, and user stories. It helps identify connections and interdependencies within the project.
• Granular representation: The hierarchical structure allows for a more detailed and comprehensive representation of the project scope, enabling a better understanding of the product's complexity.

The Hierarchical User Story Map is beneficial when managing projects with numerous user stories, complex interdependencies, and a need for a more comprehensive overview. It facilitates effective prioritization, planning, and communication, allowing teams to navigate better and manage the complexities of the project.

3. Time-based User Story Map

The Time-based User Story Map is a type of User Story Map that incorporates the dimension of time to visualize the project timeline, dependencies, and sequencing of user stories. It offers a chronological perspective on the development process.

Key characteristics of the Time-based User Story Map include:

• Chronological arrangement: User stories are arranged sequentially based on their temporal occurrence within the project timeline, reflecting the order in which they are scheduled or completed.
• Consideration of time constraints: The Time-based User Story Map considers time constraints and deadlines associated with user stories, ensuring that they are appropriately scheduled and aligned with project milestones.
• Visualization of project timeline: The map provides a visual representation of the project timeline, allowing teams to track progress, plan releases, and understand the temporal aspects of the development process.
• Dependency management: The Time-based User Story Map helps identify dependencies between user stories, ensuring that prerequisites are met and that the sequencing of user stories aligns with logical progression.

The Time-based User Story Map is beneficial when managing projects with specific time requirements, iterative development cycles, or when it's essential to visualize the temporal relationships between user stories. It enables teams to plan and schedule their work effectively, track progress against time-related goals, and ensure timely delivery of valuable features.

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That is a short catch-up with types of User Story Maps. I hope it is helpful for your project management process. If you want to discover more about User Story Map, check out our related eBook right here: DevSamurai - eBooks

[James Hendrix]

Great! How can these maps be accessed in Jira? Are these separate apps? Links?

[Henri Seymour _Easy Agile_]

@James Hendrix Jira doesn't include an inbuilt user story map tool. To view and build a user story map with Jira issues, you'll need a separate app. 

I'd recommend checking out apps on the Atlassian Marketplace for user story mapping! 

• Article author @Liam - DevSamurai works for DevSamurai, the team behind the app Agile User Story Map, Portfolio Roadmaps & Persona for Jira. 
• Full disclosure: I work for Easy Agile, whose app Easy Agile TeamRhythm will appear in these search results too. 

Henri, Support Engineer @ Easy Agile