Getting Started with Product App

This guide will help you get started with the Product App, FlowState's comprehensive product management application for managing portfolios, strategic goals, roadmaps, and team accountability.

Prerequisites

Before using the Product App, ensure you have:

• Access to a FlowState workspace
• Appropriate permissions to create and manage products
• Basic understanding of product management concepts (OKRs, roadmaps, RACI)

Accessing the App

1. Navigate to the FlowState app launcher
2. Click on Product in the application list
3. You will be directed to the Products list view at /product/products

Initial Setup

Understanding the Navigation

The Product App uses a hierarchical navigation structure:

/product
  /products              - Product portfolio list
  /products/:productId   - Product detail view
    /overview           - Strategy and KPIs
    /goals              - Strategic goals (OKRs)
    /roadmap            - Initiative planning
    /team               - Team members and RACI
    /projects           - Linked projects
    /activity           - Change history

Step 1: Review Existing Products

If your organization already has products defined:

1. Browse the product list at /product/products
2. Use filters to narrow by product type or lifecycle phase
3. Click on any product to view its details

Step 2: Create Your First Product

To create a new product, use the guided 6-step wizard:

1. Click the New Product button in the product list
2. Complete each step of the wizard:

Step 3: Configure Your Product

After creating a product, configure its key elements:

Set Strategic Goals

1. Navigate to the Goals tab
2. Click Add Goal to create a new strategic goal
3. Define the goal with:
   • Title and description
   • Category (Growth, Quality, Efficiency, Innovation)
   • Priority level
   • Optional parent goal for hierarchy
4. Add metrics to track progress

Plan Your Roadmap

1. Navigate to the Roadmap tab
2. A roadmap is automatically created for your product
3. Create initiatives by clicking Add Initiative
4. Assign initiatives to quarters and set priorities
5. Link projects to track execution

Build Your Team

1. Navigate to the Team tab
2. Add team members using the Add Member button
3. Define RACI assignments for clear accountability:
   • Responsible: Does the work
   • Accountable: Approves the work
   • Consulted: Provides input
   • Informed: Kept updated

Understanding Product Lifecycle Phases

Products progress through defined lifecycle phases:

Ideation --> Development --> Launch --> Growth --> Maturity --> Decline

To change a product's phase:

1. Open the product detail view
2. Click on the current phase indicator
3. Select the new phase and add optional transition notes
4. Confirm the change

Phase history is tracked in the Activity tab.

Key Interface Elements

Product List View

• Grid/List Toggle: Switch between card grid and list views
• Filters: Filter by product type and lifecycle phase
• Search: Find products by name or description
• Sort: Order by name, phase, or creation date

Product Detail View

• Tab Navigation: Access different aspects of your product
• Edit Button: Modify product information
• Phase Indicator: Shows current lifecycle phase with transition history

Goals Tab

• View Modes: List, Dashboard, or Tree view
• Filters: Filter by status, category, or priority
• Progress Tracking: Visual indicators of goal progress

Roadmap Tab

• Timeline View: See initiatives organized by quarter
• Kanban View: See initiatives organized by status
• Drag-and-Drop: Move initiatives between quarters or status columns
• Year Navigator: Plan across multiple years

Next Steps

Once you have completed the initial setup:

• Explore Features & Capabilities for detailed feature documentation
• Follow Creating a Feature workflow for adding product features
• Review FAQ for answers to common questions
• Check Troubleshooting if you encounter issues