User Story Specifications

Status: Comprehensive User Stories
Verified: Persona-validated requirements

Executive Summary

Transform user needs into actionable development requirements through detailed user stories that capture the voice of our customers. Each story represents real pain points from our three primary personas, ensuring we build features that deliver immediate value while maintaining simplicity.

Our Target Personas

Sarah

Small Business Owner

Needs simplicity

Mike

SaaS Marketer

Needs analytics

Jennifer

E-commerce Manager

Needs automation

Story Priority Matrix

Section 1: Epic Breakdown (800 words)

Epic Structure and Hierarchy

NudgeCampaign's feature set organizes into seven primary epics that align with our MVP goals and user journey. Each epic represents a major capability area that delivers standalone value while integrating seamlessly with other features.

Complete user journey mapped to feature epics

Epic Definitions

Epic 1: Onboarding and Account Setup

Epic 2: Contact Management

✉️ Epic 3: Email Campaign Creation

Epic 4: Marketing Automation
Priority: P1 (Launch +30 days)
Timeline: Sprint 5-8
Value: Automates repetitive tasks to save time and increase revenue

Automation transforms email marketing from a time-consuming task to a revenue-generating system. Our visual workflow builder makes automation accessible to non-technical users while providing the sophistication growing businesses need. Capabilities include visual workflow builder, behavioral triggers, conditional logic, email sequences, goal tracking, and performance analytics.

Epic 5: Analytics and Reporting
Priority: P1 (Launch +30 days)
Timeline: Sprint 6-8
Value: Provides actionable insights for optimization

Analytics should inform decisions, not overwhelm users with data. Our approach focuses on metrics that matter, presented in digestible formats. Features include real-time campaign metrics, engagement tracking, revenue attribution, automated reports, comparative analysis, and export capabilities.

Epic 6: Integrations
Priority: P2 (Launch +60 days)
Timeline: Sprint 7-10
Value: Connects email marketing to existing business tools

Integrations multiply NudgeCampaign's value by connecting to tools businesses already use. We prioritize the most requested integrations from our market research. Initial integrations include Shopify sync, WordPress plugin, Zapier connection, webhook API, Google Analytics, and Facebook Custom Audiences.

Epic 7: Team Collaboration
Priority: P2 (Launch +60 days)
Timeline: Sprint 9-10
Value: Enables team-based email marketing

As businesses grow, email marketing becomes a team effort. Our collaboration features support this evolution without adding complexity. Features include role-based access, approval workflows, activity audit trail, shared templates, team performance metrics, and internal comments.

Epic Dependencies and Sequencing

The epic sequence follows a logical progression that builds value incrementally:

This dependency structure ensures each epic builds on previous capabilities while delivering standalone value. Users can successfully use NudgeCampaign with just the first three epics, with each additional epic expanding their capabilities.

Success Metrics by Epic

Each epic includes specific success metrics to validate we're delivering intended value:

• Onboarding: 80% completion rate, <10 minutes to first email sent
• Contact Management: <30 seconds to import 10,000 contacts
• Email Campaigns: 90% user satisfaction with editor, <5 minute campaign creation
• Automation: 50% of users create first automation within 7 days
• Analytics: 70% of users check analytics weekly
• Integrations: 60% of users connect at least one integration
• Team Collaboration: 40% of accounts add team members

Section 2: User Story Details (800 words)

Critical User Stories with Acceptance Criteria

Story 1.1: Quick Start Onboarding
As Sarah (Small Business Owner), I want to send my first email campaign within 10 minutes of signing up, so that I can immediately see value from NudgeCampaign.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Account creation requires only email and password
• Guided setup wizard with 3 steps maximum
• Pre-populated sample campaign for immediate editing
• One-click import from common sources (CSV, Mailchimp, Gmail)
• Skip options for all non-critical setup steps
• Success celebration when first email sends

Story 2.1: Bulk Contact Import
As Mike (SaaS Marketer), I want to import my existing email list of 50,000 contacts without errors or duplicates, so that I can migrate from my current platform seamlessly.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Support CSV files up to 10MB
• Automatic field mapping with smart detection
• Duplicate handling with merge options
• Validation with clear error messages
• Progress indicator with pause/resume capability
• Import history with rollback option
• Complete in <2 minutes for 50,000 contacts

Story 3.1: Drag-and-Drop Email Creation
As Jennifer (E-commerce Manager), I want to create product showcase emails by dragging elements into place, so that I can build professional emails without coding knowledge.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Drag content blocks from sidebar to canvas
• Real-time preview updates
• Undo/redo with 20-step history
• Auto-save every 30 seconds
• Mobile preview toggle
• Image upload with automatic optimization
• One-click duplication of elements

Story 4.1: Welcome Series Automation
As Sarah, I want to automatically send a series of welcome emails to new subscribers, so that I can nurture relationships without manual work.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Visual workflow canvas with drag-drop nodes
• Pre-built welcome series template
• Time delay configuration between emails
• Personalization token insertion
• Test mode with accelerated timing
• Performance metrics per email in series
• One-click pause/resume

Story 5.1: Campaign Performance Dashboard
As Mike, I want to see how my campaigns perform at a glance, so that I can optimize future sends based on data.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Load in <2 seconds
• Key metrics above the fold (opens, clicks, revenue)
• Comparison to account averages
• Drill-down to individual contact activity
• Export to CSV/PDF
• Mobile-responsive design
• Real-time updates

Story 6.1: Shopify Integration
As Jennifer, I want to sync my Shopify customers automatically, so that I can send targeted product recommendations based on purchase history.

Acceptance Criteria:

• OAuth connection with Shopify
• Automatic customer sync every hour
• Purchase history import
• Abandoned cart trigger setup
• Product catalog sync for dynamic content
• Order confirmation transactional emails
• Revenue tracking attribution

Story 7.1: Team Member Invitation
As Mike, I want to invite my content writer with limited permissions, so that they can create campaigns without accessing sensitive data.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Email invitation with secure link
• Role selection (Admin, Marketer, Viewer)
• Granular permission settings
• Activity log of team member actions
• Instant access revocation
• SSO support for enterprise accounts

Story Prioritization Matrix

Stories prioritize based on user impact and technical complexity:

This prioritization ensures we deliver maximum value quickly while building toward more complex features.

Section 3: Edge Cases & Error Handling (700 words)

Comprehensive Edge Case Scenarios

Import Edge Cases

Large File Handling:

• Files >10MB trigger chunked upload with progress bar
• Server-side streaming prevents memory overload
• Automatic compression for files >5MB
• Clear messaging about processing time
• Option to email when complete for very large imports

Malformed Data:

• Skip rows with missing required fields
• Log all errors with row numbers
• Provide downloadable error report
• Suggest fixes for common issues
• Allow partial import with confirmation
• Sandbox mode for testing imports

Duplicate Management:

• Detect duplicates by email (case-insensitive)
• Offer merge strategies: keep first, keep last, merge fields
• Preview duplicate handling before commit
• Separate report of merged contacts
• Undo capability within 24 hours

Email Editor Edge Cases

Content Limits:

• Warn at 100KB email size (spam filter threshold)
• Alert for images >1MB before upload
• Maximum 50 content blocks per email
• Subject line character limit with counter
• Preheader text optimization suggestions

Browser Compatibility:

• Graceful degradation for older browsers
• Feature detection with polyfills
• Save draft before browser warnings
• Recovery mode for crashed sessions
• Offline mode with local storage

Responsive Design Issues:

• Force mobile-friendly layouts
• Warn about fixed-width elements
• Automatic image resizing
• Table-to-div conversion for mobile
• Preview in 5 common email clients

Automation Edge Cases

Infinite Loops:

• Detect circular logic in workflows
• Maximum 10 emails per contact per workflow
• Forced delays between similar actions
• Visual warning for potential loops
• Automatic circuit breaker activation

Race Conditions:

• Queue-based processing ensures order
• Mutex locks for contact updates
• Conflict resolution for simultaneous triggers
• Audit trail for debugging
• Manual override capabilities

Performance Degradation:

• Automatic workflow throttling under load
• Priority queue for transactional emails
• Batch processing for bulk operations
• Resource monitoring with alerts
• Graceful degradation strategies

Analytics Edge Cases

Data Inconsistencies:

• Reconciliation between real-time and batch data
• Clear labeling of provisional metrics
• Automatic correction of anomalies
• Explanation of metric calculations
• Historical data integrity checks

Missing Data:

• Interpolation for small gaps
• Clear indication of incomplete data
• Fallback to last known good values
• Prevent division by zero errors
• Meaningful empty states

Privacy Compliance:

• Automatic PII redaction in exports
• Consent verification before tracking
• Right-to-erasure implementation
• Audit trail for compliance
• Geographic restriction handling

Error Message Philosophy

Our error handling follows these principles:

1. Human Language: No technical jargon or error codes
2. Actionable: Clear next steps for resolution
3. Encouraging: Positive tone, not blame
4. Educational: Help users avoid future errors
5. Contextual: Specific to user's current task

Example Error Transformations:

Instead of: "Error 403: Forbidden"
We say: "Oops! You don't have permission to view this page. Ask your account admin for access, or go back to your dashboard."

Instead of: "Invalid email format"
We say: "That email doesn't look quite right. Make sure it includes an '@' symbol and domain (like example@company.com)"

Instead of: "Workflow execution failed"
We say: "Your automation hit a snag. We've paused it to prevent any issues. Check the workflow for conflicts or contact support for help."

Recovery Mechanisms

Every error includes recovery options:

• Automatic Recovery: System attempts self-healing
• Guided Recovery: Step-by-step resolution wizard
• Support Escalation: One-click support ticket
• Community Help: Link to relevant help articles
• Preventive Education: Tips to avoid recurrence

Section 4: User Flow Specifications (700 words)

Detailed Interaction Patterns

Campaign Creation Flow

The campaign creation flow optimizes for speed while ensuring quality:

Entry Points:

• Dashboard CTA (primary)
• Quick action menu
• Template library
• Automation trigger
• API creation

Progressive Disclosure:

1. Start with essentials (subject, content)
2. Reveal advanced options on demand
3. Smart defaults for all settings
4. One-click access to recent choices
5. Learning system improves defaults

Shortcuts and Optimizations:

• Duplicate recent campaign
• Save as template at any point
• Keyboard shortcuts for power users
• Quick preview without leaving editor
• Batch operations for multiple campaigns

Contact Management Flow

Contact interactions follow natural mental models:

Individual Contact Journey:

1. Discovery: Search, filter, or segment browse
2. Selection: Click or checkbox for bulk
3. Action: Clear action menu with icons
4. Confirmation: Non-destructive by default
5. Result: Clear feedback with undo option

Bulk Operations:

• Select all with smart filters
• Progressive selection (all on page vs all matching)
• Action preview before execution
• Background processing for large sets
• Email notification when complete

Automation Setup Flow

Visual workflow creation with guardrails:

Builder Interaction Model:

1. Trigger Selection: Visual cards with descriptions
2. Canvas Placement: Snap-to-grid with alignment guides
3. Connection Drawing: Automatic routing with manual override
4. Node Configuration: Inline editing with validation
5. Testing Mode: Step-through with variable inspection

Decision Points:

• Clear binary paths for conditions
• Visual indication of branch probability
• Merge point suggestions
• Warning for unconnected nodes
• Automatic cleanup tools

Analytics Exploration Flow

Data discovery without overwhelm:

Information Architecture:

1. Overview: Key metrics dashboard
2. Drill-down: Click any metric for details
3. Comparison: Drag to compare periods
4. Segmentation: Filter by any attribute
5. Export: One-click with format options

Interactive Elements:

• Hover for quick stats
• Click for detailed view
• Drag for comparisons
• Right-click for actions
• Keyboard navigation support

Mobile Flow Adaptations

Every flow adapts intelligently for mobile:

Touch Optimizations:

• Minimum 44px touch targets
• Swipe gestures for common actions
• Long-press for context menus
• Pinch-to-zoom in complex views
• Pull-to-refresh for updates

Layout Adaptations:

• Single column layouts
• Collapsible sections
• Bottom sheet modals
• Thumb-friendly action placement
• Landscape mode support

Performance Optimizations:

• Lazy loading for lists
• Image optimization on upload
• Offline mode for reading
• Background sync
• Progressive web app features

Accessibility Flow Considerations

Every flow supports all users:

Keyboard Navigation:

• Tab order follows visual hierarchy
• Skip links for repeated elements
• Keyboard shortcuts with customization
• Focus indicators always visible
• Escape key consistently closes modals

Screen Reader Support:

• Semantic HTML throughout
• ARIA labels for all interactions
• Live regions for updates
• Descriptive link text
• Form validation announcements

Visual Accommodations:

• High contrast mode
• Zoom to 200% without horizontal scroll
• Color-blind friendly palettes
• Reduced motion options
• Clear typography with sizing options

Section 5: Accessibility Requirements (600 words)

WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance Specifications

NudgeCampaign commits to WCAG 2.1 AA compliance as a baseline, with many AAA features included where they enhance user experience without adding complexity. This commitment reflects our values of inclusivity and reaches an underserved market segment often ignored by competitors.

Perceivable Requirements

Text Alternatives:

• All images include descriptive alt text
• Complex diagrams have long descriptions
• Video content includes captions
• Audio content provides transcripts
• Decorative images marked appropriately
• Icon buttons include screen reader labels

Color and Contrast:

• 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text
• 3:1 contrast ratio for large text
• 3:1 contrast for UI components
• Color never sole indicator of information
• Focus indicators meet contrast requirements
• Error states use icons plus color

Operable Requirements

Keyboard Access:

• All functionality keyboard accessible
• No keyboard traps
• Logical tab order
• Visible focus indicators
• Shortcut keys don't conflict
• Skip navigation links

Timing and Motion:

• No time limits on core functions
• Pause/stop for moving content
• Warnings before timeouts
• Session extension options
• Reduced motion preferences
• No seizure-inducing content

Understandable Requirements

Readability:

• Plain language throughout
• Technical terms explained
• Consistent terminology
• Clear instructions
• Error messages helpful
• Context-sensitive help

Predictability:

• Consistent navigation
• Predictable interactions
• No surprising context changes
• Clear cause and effect
• Confirmation for destructive actions
• Persistent UI elements

Robust Requirements

Technical Standards:

• Valid HTML markup
• Proper ARIA usage
• Progressive enhancement
• Cross-browser compatibility
• Assistive technology testing
• Regular accessibility audits

Implementation Strategies

Development Process Integration

Accessibility-First Design:

1. Include accessibility in user stories
2. Design with keyboard navigation in mind
3. Test with screen readers during development
4. Automated accessibility testing in CI/CD
5. Manual testing with real users
6. Regular third-party audits

Component Library Standards:

• Every component includes accessibility documentation
• Built-in ARIA attributes
• Keyboard interaction patterns defined
• Focus management handled automatically
• High contrast variants included
• Screen reader announcements built-in

Testing Protocols

Automated Testing:

• axe-core integration in test suite
• Lighthouse CI for performance and accessibility
• Custom rules for business logic
• Regression testing for fixes
• Browser automation testing
• API accessibility testing

Manual Testing:

• Screen reader testing (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver)
• Keyboard-only navigation testing
• Mobile accessibility testing
• Cognitive load assessment
• Real user testing sessions
• Expert accessibility review

Accessibility Features Beyond Compliance

Cognitive Accessibility

Simplified Modes:

• Reduced interface complexity option
• Guided mode for new users
• Clear progress indicators
• Chunked information presentation
• Consistent patterns throughout
• Memory aids and reminders

Enhanced Usability

Power User Features:

• Customizable keyboard shortcuts
• Command palette (Cmd/Ctrl+K)
• Voice control preparation
• Macro recording for repetitive tasks
• Batch operations optimization
• Personalized interface options

Inclusive Design Benefits

Universal improvements from accessibility focus:

• Cleaner, more intuitive interfaces
• Better mobile experience
• Improved SEO from semantic markup
• Faster load times from optimization
• Higher user satisfaction scores
• Reduced support burden

These accessibility requirements don't just meet legal obligations—they expand our addressable market and improve the experience for all users. By building accessibility into our foundation rather than retrofitting later, we create a sustainable competitive advantage.

Section 6: Localization Considerations (400 words)

Multi-Language Support Architecture

While NudgeCampaign launches in English only, our architecture supports future localization without major refactoring. This forward-thinking approach prevents technical debt while keeping initial development focused.

Text Externalization Strategy

All user-facing text externalizes to resource files:

• UI strings in JSON locale files
• Email templates with language variants
• Help documentation in markdown
• Error messages in centralized store
• Marketing copy in CMS
• Legal documents versioned by locale

String Format Standards:

{
  "welcome_message": "Welcome, {{userName}}!",
  "items_count": "{{count}} item{{count === 1 ? '' : 's'}}",
  "date_format": "MMM DD, YYYY",
  "currency_format": "${{amount}}"
}

Technical Considerations

Database Design:

• UTF-8 encoding throughout
• Locale column for user preference
• Translated content in separate tables
• Language fallback hierarchy
• Right-to-left (RTL) support preparation
• Timezone-aware date storage

API Internationalization:

• Accept-Language header support
• Locale in user context
• Consistent date/time formats
• Number formatting by locale
• Currency conversion preparation
• Translated error responses

Cultural Adaptations

Beyond translation, true localization requires cultural awareness:

Visual Design:

• Flexible layouts for text expansion (up to 40%)
• Culturally neutral imagery
• Color symbolism considerations
• Icon clarity across cultures
• Reading pattern adaptations
• Local trust symbols

Business Logic:

• Name format flexibility
• Address format variations
• Phone number validation by country
• Payment method preferences
• Legal compliance by region
• Holiday calendar awareness

Future Expansion Roadmap

Phase 1 (Post-launch):

• Spanish (US) - Large SMB market
• French (Canada) - CASL compliance built-in
• Portuguese (Brazil) - Growing market

Phase 2 (Year 2):

• German - GDPR expertise valuable
• Japanese - Technical sophistication
• Simplified Chinese - Market size

Phase 3 (Market-driven):

• Additional languages based on user demand
• Regional variations for key markets
• Industry-specific terminology sets

Localization Testing Framework

Quality assurance for each locale:

• Pseudo-localization for development
• Native speaker review process
• Functional testing per locale
• Character encoding verification
• Layout testing with expanded text
• Cultural appropriateness review

By building with localization in mind from day one, NudgeCampaign can expand globally when market opportunity justifies the investment, without the technical debt that plagues competitors who retrofitted international support.

Conclusion

These user stories represent the voice of our customers, translated into actionable requirements that development teams can implement with confidence. Every story prioritizes simplicity while delivering the professional capabilities our users need.

Next Steps

1. Review Testing Specifications for quality assurance requirements
2. Explore Migration Specifications for competitor transitions
3. Study Deliverability Specifications for email success

This document ensures every feature we build solves real user problems, creating a product that delights from the first interaction.