User Flow Diagrams: Mapping the Path to 'Done'

A user flow diagram is a map of the exact steps a user takes inside your app to complete a single task, from entry point to success. It forces the team to think from the user's perspective, promoting user-centered design. It's used to communicate product goals to stakeholders, give developers a clear visual guide to reduce errors, and spot confusing or frustrating steps early. The footgun: don't confuse it with a customer journey, which covers all touchpoints (ads, support); a user flow is strictly the path *within* the product.