The Intelligent
User Story Mapping Tool

User Story Mapping is a powerful planning technique used in software development—and beyond—to visualize product backlogs in the context of an end-to-end user journey. It ensures a shared understanding of project goals and priorities.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to create a User Story Map in Qlerify, a modern user story mapping tool with built-in AI support.

What is a User Story Map?

A User Story Map is a visual representation of the steps users take when interacting with a system. While traditional story mapping relies on sticky notes or index cards, AI-powered tools like Qlerify streamline the process, making it faster and more collaborative.

The key benefit of a story map is that it fosters better discussions among team members, leading to smarter prioritization. Unlike a flat backlog, which often obscures the big picture, a User Story Map structures the narrative of a user’s journey, ensuring:

• A clear view of end-to-end workflows
• More productive prioritization (seeing how stories fit together)
• Shared alignment on project goals

The Structure of a User Story Map

A User Story Map consists of three key elements:

1. Events (The Backbone): These high-level activities form the narrative backbone of the map (e.g., Search for Product, Add to Cart). Qlerify uses Events (instead of traditional Activities) to align with modern practices like Event Storming, ensuring a cohesive project model.
2. User Stories (The Details): Beneath each Event are the user stories—granular descriptions of user needs, typically following the format:
   "As a [user], I want to [goal], so that [reason]." These stories break down the specific tasks required to complete each Event.
3. Priority or Iterations: Horizontal sections represent priority levels or release phases:
   • Top section: Highest-priority stories (or first iteration)
   • Lower sections: Future enhancements or later releases
     By organizing stories this way, teams maintain a clear roadmap while adapting to changes.

Next Steps: The Walkthrough

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into how to create a User Story Map in Qlerify using AI.

Log in to Qlerify or sign up for free and create a new project.

Step 1: Create a new Workflow

Create a new, empty Workflow and open it. You should see a view similar to the image below. This is your blank workspace, where you can Add a starting point or Generate a workflow with AI. You can also invite team members to collaborate on the project.

For more details about this view, click the question mark icon (top right).

Step 2: Generate with AI

Click on “Generate Workflow with AI”. In the dialog that appears, click inside the text field at the top and describe your workflow in natural language.

You can use your own description, or try this example:

"An order process used by an e-commerce platform similar to Amazon, spanning the roles: Customer, Warehouse, Courier, and Support."

Then, deselect all checkboxes that are checked by default, and instead check only “User Story.” Click “Generate Workflow.”

Once the AI finishes generating your workflow, switch to the “User Story Map” tab below the diagram. Your result will resemble the example shown earlier—though outcomes may vary.

💡 Tip: While Qlerify is a powerful User Story Mapping Tool with built-in AI, you can also create your map manually from scratch. In this walkthrough, we use AI to help you learn the basics quickly.

Step 3: Review and Edit Events

Once your User Story Map is generated, take a moment to review the Events—these are the high-level steps that form the backbone of the user journey.

Click on Events to select them and use drag and drop to rearrange them in a logical sequence. You can also:

• Add missing events that represent key actions or stages
• Edit event names to better reflect your domain language
• Remove irrelevant events that don’t fit your workflow

A well-structured event flow is essential for getting the most out of any User Story Mapping Tool. It ensures the map reflects a realistic end-to-end experience from the user’s perspective.

Step 4: Review and Edit User Stories

Next, refine the User Stories under each Event. Click on an Event to view its associated stories in the sidebar—then work through them one at a time.

Make sure each User Story:

• Clearly describes a specific user goal or task
• Follows the format: “As a [user], I want to [goal], so that [reason].”
• Reflects real needs and scenarios from your product domain

You can:

• Edit story descriptions to improve clarity
• Add missing stories to cover overlooked steps
• Delete irrelevant stories that don’t contribute to the user journey

Some Events may have several User Stories, while others might only need one. The goal is to ensure your User Story Map captures meaningful, actionable slices of functionality.

Step 5: Slice the Map into iterations or releases

With your Events and User Stories in place, it’s time to prioritize. Group your stories into releases or iterations by assigning a release number to each one.

The top horizontal section—Release 1—should include the most critical User Stories that form your Minimum Viable Product (MVP). These are the essential steps required to deliver a functional product experience.

Lower sections represent future iterations, such as:

• Feature enhancements
• Edge cases
• Optional flows or user roles

This release slicing helps your team focus on delivering value early, while maintaining a clear roadmap for future development.

Step 6: Review and Fill in Gaps

Use the release filter above the diagram to focus on one iteration at a time. This helps you validate whether each slice of the map forms a meaningful, end-to-end user experience.

Step back and review your User Story Map. Ask yourself:

• ✅ Do the stories in Release 1 form a complete and valuable workflow?
• 🔍 Are any critical steps in the user journey missing?
• 🔄 Are there alternative paths or edge cases we haven’t considered?

Take this opportunity to fill in any gaps, add missing tasks, or adjust the structure.