Working with Branching

Branching in Narrative Studio refers to the capability to visually map out multiple outcomes and different paths that the narrative can take. This guide explains what branching is, the types of branching available, and best practices for creating effective branches within your narratives.

What Is Branching in a Narrative?

Branching is the representation of points in the narrative where multiple outcomes or sequences are possible. These branches create parallel or alternative paths that illustrate different ways the user journey can progress or how the system responds to specific situations. By branching a narrative, you provide a comprehensive view of multiple user experiences or system behaviors that result from varying conditions.

Purpose of Branching

Branches help model complex flows, such as:

1. Multiple User Paths: Scenarios where the user can take different actions or encounter different experiences based on their choices.
2. Conditional Outcomes: Points in the process where different conditions (e.g., success vs. failure) lead to distinct outcomes.
3. Diverse Entry Points: Multiple ways to reach the same outcome, demonstrating flexibility in the user’s journey.

In essence, branching helps map out all possible flows within a single, unified Narrative Script, making it easy to see the relationships between different decisions, actions, and system responses.

Transition Labels

You can add clarity and context to branches by titling stickies and by adding Transition Labels. Transitions are connecting arrows you can draw between entities on the canvas. To add a Transition Label, just double click a Transition and enter text in the box that appears.

Types of Branching in Narratives

Narrative Studio supports several types of branching to illustrate parallel paths, conditional flows, and converging outcomes. Below are the most common branching scenarios you might encounter:

1. Divergent Branching

Divergent branching occurs when a single narrative point splits into two or more separate paths. This split represents a point where multiple outcomes are possible depending on the situation or decision.

• Example Use Case: A user decides between home delivery or store pickup in an e-commerce journey. Each option leads to a unique series of interactions and system actions.
• Best Practice: Label each path clearly to indicate what causes the divergence, such as “User chooses home delivery” vs. “User chooses store pickup.”

2. Parallel Branching

Parallel branching is used when multiple scenarios can occur simultaneously or independently of each other, without impacting the main narrative. This type of branching helps represent background processes or optional activities that run alongside the primary flow.

• Example Use Case: While a user who just posted a post is waiting for the post to be approved, a moderator will be reviewing the post for approval.
• Best Practice: Use this type of branching to model side effects, parallel processes, or asynchronous system events.

3. Convergent Branching

Convergent branching is when multiple distinct paths merge into a single outcome. This is useful for showing how different journeys can lead to the same result.

• Example Use Case: After exploring various paths (e.g., different checkout methods or shipping choices), all paths might converge at a “Payment Confirmation” screen.
• Best Practice: Make it clear where and why the paths converge, using Transition Labels to describe how diverse flows lead to the same point.

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How to Create and Manage Branches in Narrative Studio

Creating branches in Narrative Studio involves using various Stickies and Transitions to split the flow and define multiple paths. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up branching:

1. Identify the Branching Point

Start by identifying where the narrative should branch. This can be a Moment (user choice or action), System Action (conditional system response), or Interface Change (multiple navigation options).

2. Insert the Branches

Add a new Narrative Sticky for each branch. Expand it to see the Narrative Script and add whatever Sticky your branch point will be connecting to. Use Transitions (the connecting arrows) to split the flow from the branching point to your starting Sticky in the new Narrative Script. Do this for each new path. Ensure that each path starts clearly from the same source to show the divergence.

3. Define Each Path Clearly

Each branch should have its own Context, Interaction, and System actions to reflect the distinct journey it represents. Use descriptive Narrative titles and Transition Labels to indicate the purpose of each path.

4. Manage Visual Spacing

Arrange the branches visually to ensure they are clearly separated. Use spacing, different lanes, and clear lines to keep paths organized and easy to follow. Avoid overlapping paths that could confuse the reader.

5. Label Transitions to Show Conditions and Outcomes

Add contextual Transition Labels to each branch to indicate what causes the flow to diverge and what the expected outcome is. For example, you might label one path “Address Valid” and another “Address Invalid” to show why the flow splits and what each branch represents.

Best Practices for Using Branching in Narratives

1. Keep It Simple: While branching is a powerful tool, avoid overcomplicating your narrative with excessive branches. Focus on the most important decision points and keep each branch as clear and concise as possible.
2. Use Visual Cues: Utilize spacing, arrows, labels, and icons to visually distinguish between paths. This helps teams quickly understand the flow and reduces the chance of misinterpretation.
3. Highlight the Main Path: In complex narratives, make the main or most common path visually prominent to differentiate it from secondary branches.
4. Document Decision Points Thoroughly: Ensure that all branching points are well-documented with conditions, triggers, and expected outcomes. This makes the narrative easier to follow and more useful as a reference.
5. Keep Related Branches Together: If several branches are closely related (e.g., multiple outcomes of a single decision), group them visually to show that they stem from the same source.

Conclusion

Branching is an essential component of Narrative Studio for representing complex user journeys and system processes. By understanding and implementing different branching types—such as divergent, parallel, and convergent—you can create narratives that accurately reflect real-world conditions and behaviors. Following best practices will help ensure your branches are clear, concise, and easy to interpret, providing valuable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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