A Sample Story line

This is a cut-away from the article, The Craft of Communicating Product Vision’, and includes a sample story line based on the story-arc method.

Lets take an example of an app, Pawsome, which helps pet-enthusiasts find suitable pets to adopt in their neighborhood, using a community model. Skip to step 6 at this point, if you want to continue reading the method.

A young man, named Sam, living alone in a town — moved there for work, no family , hardly any friends — weekday evenings are spent in front of the TV, weekends are spent going to the movies, or maybe meeting up with co-workers over a meal. Sam wishes he had more company
Life seems like an endless cycle of work-week, weekend, Monday, repeat

<Rising action>

On an evening alone in the park, he is seated on a park bench. A dog wearing a belt around his neck, comes over and sits next to him. He looks friendly and his tag says ‘Scout’. They say hello to each other, Sam with a pat and Scout with a waggy tail. Sam has always liked animals, but has never had a chance to have a pet. He decides to find one for himself.

<Trigger>

Sam is unsure of his decision. Since cats are easier to look after and need less space, he decides to adopt a pet cat. After all, he lives in a small studio apartment. He asks around if anyone knows of any kittens up for adoption.

<Quest>

A co-worker tells him to download the Pawsome app. He tries it, opens up the app, and quickly signs up using his Facebook account — and fills up a few key details on the (onboarding screen) about his experience with pets, living arrangements, and income range.

He sees the (welcome screen) that tells him that he is now a part of the Pawsome community, a community of like minded animal lovers who contribute to the cause in various ways.He selects the choice to adopt-a-pet. (adopt-a-pet page) He sees an option to select the type of animal he wants to adopt — (cat/dog/parrot/fish/rabbits) — selects ‘cat’.

He sees options of cats available to adopt from various owners in his vicinity, based on his location — moreover, all the cats belong to owners who are willing to let a person of his description adopt their pet. He sees their picture, age, behavior, other details. (pets-near-you page)

He finds a kitten, Oreo, that he likes in a home not far from his, and gives the owner Bill a call. They exchange addresses, and Sam goes to their house to meet the kitten.

When he reaches their home, he meets Oreo for the first time. He strokes it and plays with it, while getting to know the owners. Bill then let him know that the Oreo has a twin, Vanilla, who is sleeping in her basket. Sam is taken aback — he had no intention of adopting two kittens.

<Surprise>

He finds that the two are inseparable — it would be cruel to separate them. Sam is nervous, and decides to think over it — or perhaps look at other kittens in the area via Pawsome.

<Critical choice>

He goes home and opens Pawsome — he explores, and finds the (community page.) This has helpful tips about raising kittens, contacts of mentors and pet owners nearby, and veterinary locations as well. He is intrigued — slowly but surely, he feels confident that he can take on the challenge of taking care of two little kittens.

He calls up Bill, and informs him that he is ready. Bill and his wife Sally are a part of the Pawsome community too, and assure him that should he need any help at any time, they would step in, as would many other pawsome members in the area.

<Climax>

Sam takes the plunge, and brings the kitties Oreo and Vanilla home in a brand new basket he has bought for the purpose!

<Resolution>

(Months pass — and we take a peek into Sam’s cozy apartment)
Weekends and weekdays look different for Sam now, with evenings spent taking the cats for a walk around the block.