• All Methods
    • Strategize
      • 5D Framework
      • Break Down 4
      • Business Model Canvas
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Dot Coding
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Future Trends
      • Golden Circle
      • HEART Framework
      • How Might We
      • Innovation Board
      • Ishikawa Diagram
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • KPI Tracking
      • Minimum Viable Product
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Stakeholder Map
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Stories
      • Value Proposition
    • Observe
      • 5 Whys
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • AEIOU Framework
      • Challenge Assumptions
      • Content Audit
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Emotional Journey Map
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • Jobs-to-be-done
      • Journey Mapping
      • Mental Models
      • Mobile Diaries
      • Mystery Shopping
      • Netnography
      • Observation
      • Personas
      • Poems
      • Product Love Letters
      • Search-Log Analysis
      • Social Media Monitoring
      • Surveys
      • User Interviews
    • Ideate
      • 6-3-5 Brainwriting
      • Bodystorming
      • Brainstorming
      • Card Sorting
      • Collage
      • Crazy Eights
      • Dark Horse Prototyping
      • Mind Mapping
      • Moodboards
      • SCAMPER
      • Service Blueprints
      • Storyboards
      • Walt Disney Method
      • Worst Possible Ideas
      • Wow-How-Now Matrix
    • Validate
      • A/B Testing
      • Click Dummy
      • Concept Testing Plan
      • Eye Tracking
      • High-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Lessons Learned
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Poster Session
      • Remote Usability Test
      • User Testing
      • Wizard of Oz
      • World Café
    • Warm-up
      • 5 Whys
      • Brainstorming
      • Break Down 4
      • Crazy Eights
      • Destroy and Defend
      • Emoji Challenge
      • Hidden Similarities
      • Impromotion
      • Mind Mapping
      • Product Pitch
      • The Aliens Have Landed
      • Touch Blue
      • Two Truths and a Lie
      • Viewpoint Spectrogram
      • What's on your Desk?
  • Workshop Bundles
  • About us
  • Meet the Creators
  • Get Support
  1. UX Strategy Kit
  2. Methods
  3. Journey Mapping
beginnerobserve
Journey MappingGet an overview of a certain process and its steps in relation to time.
60 – 90 min1+ Participantsworkshopreviewusers
+5
Open in FigJam
Summary
By letting the users visually map down a sequence or process or workflow, that already has been specified, this exercise allows you get a deep understanding of all sub-steps, possible issues, workarounds, and time connected to all efforts.
Step-by-step
  1. Prepare a large piece of paper and icon print outs for the quick visualization of sub-steps that can be used during the exercise. Participants can glue or pin down these icons at the respective positions on the time line.
  2. Clearly communicate the start, end, and point-of-view of the sequence. Try to reduce distractions by leaving out other processes that the users might think about but are not relevant to your research.
  3. Let the users write down the sequence in a very detailed way using the large piece of paper. All events that are being written down need to be at the correct position on the time line.
  4. Leave space for supplements or additions. Let your users draw arrows to connect different steps and describe how they relate to each other. Promote to use different colors to mark different levels of events or interactions.
  5. Ideally, you will end up with a very detailed visualization of the process you were looking at. It is important to read between the lines and to discover pain points that can potentially solved or lead to a problem statement.
What you need
  • Glue
  • Large paper
  • Paper
  • Pens
  • Stickers or icons
Do you have a question?
These methods might seem simple, but applying them in a real project is another story. We’re there to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the User Experience Strategy & Design team.
Ask Away!
Explore similar methods
AEIOU Frameworkobserve
1+ Participants
45 – 80 min

Give your observations and field research structure by getting to know the problem's environment.

Dark Horse Prototypingideate
2+ Participants
40 – 75 min

Develop innovations, by going new and previously unexplored ways.

Remote Usability Testvalidate
6+ Participants
65 – 135 min

Test despite physical distance.

Observationobserve
1+ Participants
30 – 180 min

Real insights from users in their natural environment.

Card Sortingideate
4 – 12 Participants
30 min

Structure information into reasonable groups.

© Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 2025.
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
Categories
  • Strategize
  • Observe
  • Ideate
  • Validate
  • Warm-up
Learn more
  • About Us
  • User Experience Strategy & Design
  • Liquid Design System
Legal
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance