A Story Map is a visual model of all the features and functionality desired for a given product, created to give the team a holistic view of what they are building and why.
It organizes user stories based on workflows or activities, allowing teams to prioritize functionality, identify dependencies, and plan releases in a structured, user-centered format.
Key Characteristics
- Top-Down Structure – Starts with user activities, then breaks down into features and stories
- User-Centric – Built around real user needs and goals
- Supports Release Planning – Helps slice the product into meaningful increments
- Improves Shared Understanding – Visualizes the full scope of the product in context
Example Scenarios
- Mapping an e-commerce experience from product search to checkout
- Prioritizing stories for an MVP based on critical user journeys
- Planning upcoming sprints by release slices drawn from the map
Example of a Story Map
flowchart TD A[User Activity: Shopping Experience] A1[Feature: Browse Products] A2[Feature: Product Details] A3[Feature: Add to Cart] A4[Feature: Checkout] A --> A1 A --> A2 A --> A3 A --> A4 A1a[Story: View Categories] A1b[Story: Apply Filters] A1c[Story: Search by Keyword] A1 --> A1a A1 --> A1b A1 --> A1c A2a[Story: See Images] A2b[Story: Read Descriptions] A2c[Story: View Reviews] A2 --> A2a A2 --> A2b A2 --> A2c A3a[Story: Add Single Item] A3b[Story: Add Multiple Items] A3c[Story: View Cart] A3 --> A3a A3 --> A3b A3 --> A3c A4a[Story: Enter Shipping Info] A4b[Story: Select Payment Method] A4c[Story: Confirm Order] A4 --> A4a A4 --> A4b A4 --> A4c
Role in Agile Planning
- Aligns Team Focus – Clarifies how stories contribute to user and business value
- Facilitates Backlog Refinement – Helps structure and prioritize stories effectively
- Enables Incremental Delivery – Supports decision-making around scope and sequencing
- Enhances Stakeholder Communication – Offers a high-level visual artifact for alignment
See also: User Story, Product Backlog, Release Planning, Epic, Iteration Planning.