Low-code business intelligence

Dashflow

Turn Data Into Instant Action

Dashflow turns scattered business data into interactive dashboards for small-business managers in retail and services, eliminating spreadsheet headaches. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and instant chart recommendations highlight trends in minutes, empowering non-technical teams to create, share, and act on insights quickly—no coding, training, or complex tools required.

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Dashflow

Product Details

Explore this AI-generated product idea in detail. Each aspect has been thoughtfully created to inspire your next venture.

Vision & Mission

Vision
To empower every small-business leader to unlock data-driven growth and inspire change with effortless, insightful storytelling for all.
Long Term Goal
By 2028, empower one million small-business managers worldwide to boost decision-making speed and team collaboration by 75% through effortless, data-driven insights—no technical skills required.
Impact
Reduces dashboard creation and sharing time by over 75% for small-business managers, enabling 60% more non-technical users to generate actionable insights and improving decision-making speed, transparency, and team collaboration across retail and services operations.

Problem & Solution

Problem Statement
Small-business managers in retail and services spend hours wrangling spreadsheets to visualize data and share insights, but existing BI tools are too complex for non-technical users, leaving crucial business decisions slow, opaque, and inconsistent.
Solution Overview
Dashflow’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface lets small-business managers instantly transform raw data into interactive dashboards, while auto-insights intelligently recommends charts and highlights key trends—eliminating spreadsheet frustration and making data-driven decisions fast, clear, and accessible for every team member, no technical skills needed.

Details & Audience

Description
Dashflow empowers small-business managers and team leads to turn raw data into interactive dashboards in minutes. It eliminates spreadsheet headaches and speeds up decision-making for non-technical professionals. With its unique auto-insights, Dashflow instantly recommends the best charts and highlights trends, letting users create and share compelling data stories—no coding, extra tools, or training needed.
Target Audience
Small-business managers (30-55) in retail or services needing effortless, instant data insights and quick team sharing.
Inspiration
Sitting with a sales manager, I watched her wrestle with endless Excel tabs, painstakingly piecing together charts for a morning meeting. Her frustration grew as she tried to explain hidden trends lost in rows of numbers. That moment, seeing vital business insights buried and her story unheard, sparked the vision for Dashflow—making data instantly visual, interactive, and easy for every manager to share and understand.

User Personas

Detailed profiles of the target users who would benefit most from this product.

T

Time-Torn Tina

- Age 35, suburban salon owner - Bachelor's in cosmetology, 5 years experience - Annual revenue ~$250k, 5 employees - Married with one child, busy lifestyle

Background

Tina started as a stylist and opened her salon 3 years ago, struggling to balance chair time and paperwork. She taught herself basic Excel but finds it overwhelming, so she craves tools that lighten her admin load.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Instant daily revenue summary for quick schedule adjustments 2. Automated inventory alerts before supplies run low 3. Simple staff performance metrics to optimize rota

Pain Points

1. Lost bookings due to manual schedule errors 2. Wasted supplies from unnoticed inventory depletion 3. Late admin tasks cutting into client time

Psychographics

- Craves efficiency to maximize client time - Values intuitive tools over complex features - Feels anxious about forgotten appointments - Motivated by work–life balance improvements

Channels

1. Instagram Business (favorite updates) 2. Facebook Groups (salon owners) 3. WhatsApp (team chat) 4. Google Search (tool research) 5. Email Newsletters (industry tips)

M

Metric-Minded Maya

- Age 29, urban café manager - Degree in hospitality management, 3 years experience - $180k annual revenue, team of 4 baristas - Single renter living downtown, tech-savvy

Background

Maya rose from barista to manager, driven by curiosity about customer habits. After struggling with inconsistent spreadsheet reports, she seeks a tool that visualizes data without coding so she can optimize menu offerings quickly.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Real-time footfall vs. sales correlation charts 2. Simplified analysis of menu item performance 3. Automated daily sales trend notifications

Pain Points

1. Delayed spreadsheet exports masking sales patterns 2. Manual data merging eats into prep time 3. Inconsistent footfall counts disrupt staffing decisions

Psychographics

- Obsessive about data-driven menu tweaks - Thrives on near-instant actionable insights - Prefers visual trends over raw numbers

Channels

1. Instagram Stories (inspiration) 2. TikTok (cafe trend research) 3. LinkedIn Learning (skill-building) 4. Google Analytics (web insights) 5. Email Digest (daily summary)

O

Optimization Oscar

- Age 42, online retail store owner - MBA in marketing, 7 years e-commerce experience - $500k annual sales, manages 2 warehouses - Suburban family man, father of two

Background

Oscar transitioned from corporate marketing to launch his niche gadgets store. Frustrated by fragmented sales and ad data, he seeks unified dashboards to optimize stock and PPC budgets in real time.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Real-time stock level and sales alerts 2. Unified ad spend and ROI metrics 3. Easy SKU performance comparisons

Pain Points

1. Stockouts causing lost sales revenue 2. Disconnected ad platforms complicating budget allocation 3. Time-consuming manual data consolidation

Psychographics

- Lives for optimizing ROI on every dollar - Trusts visual cues over spreadsheets - Enjoys rapid A/B campaign testing

Channels

1. Google Ads Dashboard (campaign data) 2. Shopify Analytics (store metrics) 3. Facebook Ads Manager (ad spend) 4. Slack (team notifications) 5. Email Reports (daily summaries)

D

Data-Curious Casey

- Age 31, mobile repair service founder - Vocational diploma, 4 years self-employed - $200k annual revenue, 3 technicians - Rents office, travels citywide

Background

Casey launched his repair van to fill after-work demand. With inconsistent paper logs, he craves an intuitive dashboard to predict busy hours and reduce customer wait times.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Clear daily demand peak hour indicators 2. Technician availability and wait-time overlays 3. Simple mobile-friendly dashboard access

Pain Points

1. Paper logs hiding true peak repair times 2. Scheduling conflicts frustrating customers 3. Difficulty tracking service type popularity

Psychographics

- Driven by curiosity to uncover hidden trends - Values simplicity over feature overload - Fears overbooking technicians during peak hours

Channels

1. WhatsApp Business (customer chat) 2. Google Maps (service area research) 3. Facebook Ads (local promotion) 4. Instagram (portfolio showcase) 5. Email (order confirmations)

D

Dashboard-Doubter Dan

- Age 38, first-time retail owner - Bachelor's in business, 1 year ownership - $120k revenue, 2 part-time employees - Lives downtown, average tech skills

Background

Dan left corporate retail to open a boutique. Overwhelmed by analytics jargon and complex interfaces, he seeks reassurance that a dashboard will simplify, not complicate, his operations.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Clear onboarding with guided chart tutorials 2. Pre-built templates for immediate insights 3. Step-by-step setup without technical jargon

Pain Points

1. Overwhelming setup deterring further exploration 2. Jargon-laden reports causing confusion 3. Fear of hidden costs or complexity

Psychographics

- Hesitant about technical tools without guidance - Seeks quick wins to build confidence - Values straightforward, jargon-free interfaces

Channels

1. YouTube Tutorials (step-by-step guides) 2. Email Support (setup assistance) 3. Facebook Groups (peer advice) 4. Google Search (basic queries) 5. In-app Tour (feature walkthroughs)

Product Features

Key capabilities that make this product valuable to its target users.

AutoTune Alerts

Leverages historical data to automatically adjust alert thresholds based on patterns and seasonality, ensuring notifications remain relevant and reducing false alarms.

Requirements

Historical Data Ingestion and Processing
"As a small-business manager, I want the system to collect and clean historical sales and operations data so that AutoTune can analyze patterns and adjust alert thresholds accurately."
Description

The system must connect to and ingest historical business data from multiple sources (e.g., POS systems, spreadsheets, CRM) then clean, normalize, and store it in an optimized time-series schema for analysis. This module ensures data integrity by handling missing values, anomalies, and data type conversions, providing a solid foundation for accurate pattern recognition and threshold tuning by AutoTune Alerts.

Acceptance Criteria
Connect and Ingest Historical POS Data
Given a configured POS system connection, when the ingestion process is initiated, then all records from the past two years are loaded into the staging area without data loss and ingestion logs indicate 100% completion.
Clean Missing Values and Normalize Data
Given raw ingested data containing nulls, when the cleaning routine runs, then numeric fields with nulls are imputed using a period-based median, categorical nulls are set to 'Unknown', and no null values remain in the dataset.
Detect and Flag Anomalies in Historical Records
Given processed historical data, when anomaly detection executes, then any data point exceeding three standard deviations from the rolling mean is flagged in a separate anomaly log table.
Convert Data Types and Validate Schema Compliance
Given mixed-type raw fields, when the type conversion module runs, then all date fields are in ISO 8601 format, numeric fields are floats, and the final dataset passes schema validation with zero errors.
Store Data in Optimized Time-Series Schema
Given cleaned and validated data, when storage occurs, then records are partitioned by date, indexed by timestamp, and a sample query on one million records returns results within 200ms.
Dynamic Threshold Calculation Engine
"As a small-business manager, I want the system to automatically compute and update alert thresholds based on past trends so that I receive only relevant notifications."
Description

Automatically calculate optimal alert thresholds using statistical analysis and adaptive algorithms that learn from past performance. This engine periodically evaluates incoming and historical data to update thresholds, reducing false positives and ensuring alerts remain relevant as business conditions change.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Threshold Computation
Given the engine receives a complete set of historical data When the user activates the feature Then the system computes initial alert thresholds within 5 minutes and logs confidence intervals for each threshold
Scheduled Threshold Recalculation
Given the engine is configured for daily updates When 24 hours have elapsed Then the system automatically recalculates thresholds using the latest data without manual intervention
Seasonality Adjustment Verification
Given a dataset exhibiting weekly or monthly seasonality When the engine analyzes the data Then thresholds adjust to reflect at least a 10% variance during peak and off-peak periods
False Positive Rate Benchmarking
Given the engine has been operational for 30 days When comparing alert outcomes Then the false positive rate must decrease by at least 20% compared to baseline manual thresholds
Real-Time Adaptation Performance
Given continuous data ingestion When new data is received Then the engine updates thresholds within 5 minutes and triggers alerts according to the new thresholds
Seasonality Detection Module
"As a business manager, I want the system to detect seasonal fluctuations so that alerts account for expected seasonal patterns."
Description

Implement a seasonality detection component that analyzes time-series data to identify recurring patterns (daily, weekly, monthly) and adjusts threshold calculations to account for expected fluctuations. This ensures alerts differentiate between normal seasonal changes and true anomalies.

Acceptance Criteria
Detecting Daily Sales Patterns
System identifies recurring 24-hour sales patterns with ≥95% accuracy on a 30-day hourly dataset.
Identifying Weekly Service Traffic Trends
Module recognizes 7-day traffic cycles with ≤5% deviation in threshold adjustments.
Adapting to Monthly Promotional Spikes
Seasonality component adjusts alert thresholds to accommodate known monthly promotion periods, reducing false positives by ≥90%.
Filtering Out Seasonal Variations in Inventory Levels
Module filters expected inventory fluctuations, ensuring anomaly alerts only trigger when values deviate >2 standard deviations from seasonal baseline.
Distinguishing Holiday-Related Anomalies
System excludes predefined holiday dates from anomaly detection, maintaining false alarm rate below 2%.
User Calibration and Feedback Interface
"As a manager, I want to review and adjust automatically suggested thresholds so that I can fine-tune alerts to my specific business context."
Description

Provide an intuitive dashboard interface where users can review AutoTune-suggested thresholds, accept or modify recommendations, and submit feedback. This interface should include visual comparisons of historical vs. current thresholds and options to fine-tune alert sensitivity, enhancing user trust and customization.

Acceptance Criteria
Seasonal Sales Spike Threshold Review
Given AutoTune has suggested a higher alert threshold for a seasonal sales increase When the user views the threshold suggestion Then the interface displays the suggested value alongside the previous threshold and a visualization of historical seasonal trends.
User Modifies Suggested Threshold
Given a user disagrees with the AutoTune suggestion When the user adjusts the threshold slider and clicks 'Apply' Then the new threshold is saved and reflected in the alert settings.
Visual Comparison of Historical vs Current Thresholds
Given the threshold comparison view is opened When the user selects any alert rule Then a line chart renders both historical thresholds and the current AutoTune suggestion with clear labels and legends.
Saving Custom Threshold Adjustments
Given a user has modified the suggested threshold When the user saves their configuration Then the system persists the custom threshold and uses it for future alert triggers.
Submitting Feedback on Recommendation Accuracy
Given the user is satisfied or dissatisfied with the suggestion When the user submits feedback via the feedback form Then the system captures the feedback, timestamp, and threshold details for further model training.
Alert Performance Monitoring Dashboard
"As an admin, I want to track the accuracy of automatic alerts and model performance so that I can identify and correct issues proactively."
Description

Deliver a monitoring dashboard that tracks key performance metrics for AutoTune Alerts, such as false positive/negative rates, threshold drift, and alert response times. The dashboard should highlight anomalies in model performance and trigger notifications when retraining or manual intervention is needed.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing False Positive/Negative Rates Over Time
Given the monitoring dashboard and a selected date range, when the user selects a start and end date, then the dashboard displays false positive and false negative rates with interactive trend graphs.
Detecting Threshold Drift Anomalies
Given the dashboard auto-refreshes hourly, when threshold values deviate by more than 10% from the 30-day historical average for two consecutive days, then the Threshold Drift widget highlights an anomaly indicator.
Alert Response Time Tracking
Given the user filters by alert type, when the dashboard loads the performance metrics, then the average acknowledgement and resolution times are calculated, displayed, and any times exceeding SLA thresholds are flagged in red.
Model Retraining Notification Trigger
Given performance metrics cross defined drift thresholds for three consecutive evaluation periods, when new data is processed, then a retraining notification is automatically generated and sent to the data ops team via email.
Exporting Performance Reports
Given the user clicks the export button, when the request is submitted, then a PDF report containing false positive/negative rates, threshold drift metrics, and alert response times is generated and the download starts within 30 seconds.

Severity Tags

Assigns color-coded priority badges (e.g., critical, warning, info) to each alert, helping managers triage issues at a glance and focus on the most urgent KPIs.

Requirements

Tag Assignment Interface
"As a small-business manager, I want to assign severity badges directly on the alert dashboard so that I can quickly indicate the priority of each issue for my team."
Description

Provide an intuitive interface within the alert dashboard to assign predefined severity badges (critical, warning, info) to each alert. The interface should support drag-and-drop or a dropdown selector, display color-coded tags prominently next to alert titles, and update in real time without a full page reload. Users must be able to assign or change severity levels with minimal clicks, ensuring quick triage and consistent tagging across all alerts.

Acceptance Criteria
Assign Severity via Drag-and-Drop
Given the user views an alert list, when the user drags a 'Critical' badge from the severity panel and drops it onto Alert #123, then the alert displays a red 'Critical' tag next to its title within 500ms and the backend records the 'Critical' severity for Alert #123.
Assign Severity via Dropdown Menu
Given the user clicks the severity dropdown on an alert row, when the user selects 'Warning' from the list, then the alert displays an orange 'Warning' tag next to its title immediately and the change is saved in the data store.
Real-Time Tag Update Without Reload
Given the user updates an alert’s severity using drag-and-drop or dropdown, when the action completes, then the alert dashboard reflects the new severity tag without a full page reload, and no other page content is disrupted.
Bulk Severity Assignment
Given the user selects multiple alerts via checkboxes, when the user chooses 'Info' and applies it to all selected alerts, then each selected alert displays a blue 'Info' tag and the backend updates all severities successfully.
Severity Persistence Across Sessions
Given the user assigns a severity tag to an alert and logs out, when the user logs back in, then the previously assigned severity tags for all alerts appear correctly in the dashboard.
Keyboard-Only Severity Tagging
Given a user navigates the alert list via keyboard, when the user focuses on an alert and presses the shortcut key for 'Critical', then the alert receives a red 'Critical' tag and the change is saved without using a mouse.
Severity Category Configuration
"As an admin user, I want to configure and customize severity categories and colors so that they align with our organization’s escalation policies and visual standards."
Description

Enable administrators to define, customize, and manage severity categories including naming, color selection, and default thresholds. The configuration panel should allow adding new categories or editing existing ones with a live preview of badge appearance. All changes must propagate to existing alerts and be stored persistently, ensuring the tool adapts to each business’s unique prioritization policies.

Acceptance Criteria
Adding a New Severity Category
Given an administrator is on the Severity Category Configuration panel When they enter a unique category name, select a color from the palette, set a default threshold, and click Save Then the new category appears in the category list with the specified name, color, and threshold, and the total category count increments by one
Editing an Existing Severity Category
Given an administrator views an existing category When they modify the category name, change the badge color, adjust the default threshold, and click Save Then the category list updates to reflect the new name, color, and threshold without creating a duplicate entry
Live Preview of Badge Appearance
Given an administrator is configuring a category When they change the category name or select a different color Then the badge preview panel updates instantly to display the new name and color combination
Persisting Severity Category Configuration
Given an administrator has saved one or more category changes When they refresh the configuration panel or log out and log back in Then all categories and their settings persist exactly as last saved
Propagation of Changes to Existing Alerts
Given existing alerts have previously assigned severity badges When a category’s name, color, or threshold is updated and saved Then all existing alerts immediately reflect the updated badge appearance and categorization without requiring manual refresh
Severity Tag Filtering
"As a store manager, I want to filter alerts by severity level so that I can focus on critical issues without distractions from lower-priority items."
Description

Implement filtering controls that allow users to view alerts by severity tag. Users should be able to select one or multiple severity levels via checkboxes or a dropdown filter and see the dashboard dynamically update to show only matching alerts. The filter state should persist across sessions, enabling managers to focus on critical metrics without distraction from lower-priority items.

Acceptance Criteria
Filtering by Single Severity Level
Given the user has multiple alerts with different severity tags When the user selects the “Critical” severity checkbox Then only alerts tagged as Critical are displayed on the dashboard
Filtering by Multiple Severity Levels
Given the user has multiple alerts of varying severities When the user selects both “Warning” and “Info” checkboxes Then only alerts tagged as Warning or Info are displayed
Filter State Persistence Across Sessions
Given the user has applied filters for one or more severity levels When the user closes and reopens the dashboard Then the previously selected severity filters remain applied
Clearing All Severity Filters
Given one or more severity filters are active When the user clicks the “Clear Filters” button Then all severity checkboxes are unchecked and all alerts are shown
Default View When No Filters Selected
Given the user visits the dashboard for the first time or has no filters applied Then all alerts of all severity levels are displayed by default
Bulk Severity Tag Update
"As an operations manager, I want to update the severity badge for multiple alerts at once so that I can efficiently apply consistent priorities across related issues."
Description

Provide multi-select capabilities for alerts, enabling users to select multiple items simultaneously and apply a single severity tag to all selected alerts in one action. The bulk update operation should trigger a confirmation prompt and display a progress indicator. This feature streamlines the tagging process for large sets of alerts, reducing repetitive tasks and ensuring consistent prioritization.

Acceptance Criteria
Bulk Selection of Alerts
Given the user is on the alerts list page with multi-select enabled; When the user selects the header checkbox or uses shift-click between two alert checkboxes; Then the UI highlights and marks all intended alerts as selected across the current page and retains selections when navigating pages
Applying Severity Tag to Multiple Alerts
Given the user has selected multiple alerts and clicks the 'Change Severity' button; When the user chooses a severity level and confirms; Then all selected alerts are updated with the chosen severity badge and the alert list refreshes to show updated tags
Confirmation Prompt Display
Given the user initiates a bulk severity tag update; When the operation is triggered; Then a confirmation dialog appears listing the number of alerts and selected severity, providing 'Confirm' and 'Cancel' options
Progress Indicator Functionality
Given the user confirms the bulk update; When the update process begins; Then a progress indicator displays real-time completion percentage or spinner, updates until 100%, and hides upon success with a confirmation message
Error Handling During Bulk Update
Given one or more alerts fail to update; When the bulk operation completes; Then an error summary lists failed alert IDs with error reasons and offers retry for failures without affecting successfully updated alerts
Critical Tag Notification
"As a business owner, I want to receive immediate notifications when an alert is marked critical so that I can respond to urgent problems as soon as they arise."
Description

Automatically generate real-time notifications or email alerts when a new alert is tagged as ‘Critical.’ Notification settings should allow users to opt in or out per channel and configure frequency thresholds (e.g., immediate, hourly digest). Notifications must include context such as alert name, timestamp, and current value to ensure managers are immediately aware of high-priority issues requiring prompt attention.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring Critical Notification Preferences
Given the user is on the notification settings page and views Critical alert options When they select one or more notification channels (email, in-app) and configure a frequency threshold (immediate or hourly digest) then save their preferences Then the preferences are persisted and displayed accurately on revisit
Immediate Notification on Critical Alert
Given a data alert is tagged as Critical and a user has opted in for immediate notifications When the alert is generated in the system Then the user receives a real-time notification or email containing the alert name, timestamp, and current value within one minute
Hourly Digest Compiles Multiple Critical Alerts
Given multiple Critical alerts occur within a one-hour window and the user has selected hourly digest When the scheduled digest send time arrives Then a single consolidated email is sent listing all Critical alerts with each alert’s name, timestamp, and current value
Notification Content Includes Required Context
Given any notification or email is sent for a Critical alert When the user opens the notification or email Then it displays the alert name, timestamp, current value, and a direct link to view the alert on the dashboard
Opting Out of Critical Notifications
Given the user has previously opted in for Critical notifications When the user deselects all channels for Critical alerts in settings and saves Then the system stops sending any further notifications or emails for Critical alerts

OmniNotify

Delivers alerts across multiple channels—including SMS, email, Slack, and push notifications—so teams stay informed through their preferred communication tools without missing a critical update.

Requirements

Multi-Channel Delivery
"As a small-business manager, I want alerts delivered via my preferred channels (SMS, email, Slack, or push) so that I can stay informed in real time without having to constantly check the dashboard."
Description

Implement a unified notification engine that supports sending alerts via SMS, email, Slack, and mobile push notifications. The system must integrate with external communication providers (e.g., Twilio, SendGrid, Slack API, Firebase Cloud Messaging), handle channel-specific formatting, and route messages based on user preferences. It should ensure seamless integration within Dashflow’s architecture, allowing alerts triggered by dashboard events to be automatically dispatched across all configured channels.

Acceptance Criteria
SMS Notification Delivery
Given a dashboard event configured to send an SMS When the event is triggered Then the system sends an SMS via Twilio to the user’s phone number containing the correct alert message within 30 seconds
Email Notification Delivery
Given a dashboard event configured to send an email When the event is triggered Then the system sends an email via SendGrid to the user’s email address with the correct subject, body content, and attachments within 60 seconds
Slack Notification Delivery
Given a dashboard event configured to send a Slack message When the event is triggered Then the system posts a message to the user’s specified Slack workspace and channel via the Slack API including the dashboard link and alert details
Push Notification Delivery
Given a dashboard event configured to send a mobile push notification When the event is triggered Then the system delivers a push notification via Firebase Cloud Messaging to the user’s registered device with the correct title and message
Routing Based on User Preferences
Given a user with multiple channel preferences When an alert is triggered Then the system evaluates the user’s channel settings and sends notifications only through the enabled channels in priority order
Channel-Specific Formatting
Given a dashboard event triggering notifications across channels When the event is triggered Then the system applies the correct formatting template for SMS, email, Slack, and push to ensure readability and consistency per channel
Customizable Notification Triggers
"As a business manager, I want to create custom triggers for my key metrics so that I receive notifications only when specific business conditions occur."
Description

Provide a flexible rule builder that allows users to define custom alert conditions based on dashboard metrics, thresholds, and time windows. Users should be able to combine multiple criteria (e.g., sales drop below $1,000 AND inventory above threshold) and select which channels to notify. The feature must validate trigger logic, store rules securely, and evaluate conditions in real time.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Metric Threshold Trigger Creation
Given a user accesses the rule builder and selects a single dashboard metric with an operator and threshold value, when they click save, then the trigger rule appears in the rule list and is stored with correct parameters.
Compound Trigger with AND/OR Conditions
Given a user combines two or more metric conditions using AND/OR operators, when they save the rule, then the system correctly saves the logical combination and applies it during evaluation.
Notification Channel Selection and Confirmation
Given a user selects one or more notification channels for a trigger rule, when they confirm their selection, then the rule displays chosen channels and sends a test notification to each channel within five seconds.
Real-Time Trigger Evaluation
Given the system receives real-time metric updates, when a trigger rule condition is met, then the system generates and dispatches notifications within 60 seconds through all configured channels.
Trigger Rule Logic Validation
Given a user defines an invalid or conflicting logical expression (e.g., threshold value missing, mismatched operators), when they attempt to save, then the rule builder displays an error message and prevents saving until corrected.
Secure Storage and Access of Trigger Rules
Given a saved trigger rule, when the system stores the rule, then it is encrypted at rest, accessible only to authorized users, and retrievable without data corruption.
User Preference Management
"As a user, I want to set my preferred notification channels and mute times so that I receive alerts when it's convenient for me."
Description

Develop a user interface within Dashflow settings where each user can configure their notification preferences, including selecting preferred channels, setting quiet hours or do-not-disturb periods, and opting in or out of specific alert types. Preferences should be stored per user, applied at send time, and synchronized across web and mobile clients.

Acceptance Criteria
Channel Selection Configuration
Given a logged-in user navigates to Notification Settings, When they select one or multiple channels (SMS, Email, Slack, Push) and save, Then their selections are persisted to their profile and displayed on subsequent visits.
Quiet Hours Configuration
Given a user sets quiet hours with a start and end time, When notifications are triggered during this period, Then the system suppresses delivery on all channels except emergency alerts.
Alert Type Opt-In Management
Given a user opts in or out of specific alert types (e.g., Sales Threshold, Inventory Low, System Updates), When they save changes, Then only opted-in alert types generate notifications for that user.
Preference Synchronization Across Clients
Given a user updates preferences on the web client, When they open or refresh the mobile client within 30 seconds, Then the mobile app reflects the updated preferences without additional user action.
Preference Application at Send Time
Given a notification event occurs for a user, When the system prepares to send notifications, Then it checks the user’s current preferences and delivers or suppresses the notification accordingly.
Notification Template Editor
"As a user, I want to customize my notification templates with branding and dynamic fields so that each alert is clear, contextual, and on-brand."
Description

Build a template management system allowing users to customize the content and formatting of alerts for each channel. The editor should support placeholders for dynamic data (e.g., {{metric_name}}, {{threshold_value}}, {{timestamp}}), basic styling, and preview functionality. Templates must be saved, versioned, and applied automatically when alerts are generated.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Notification Template
Given the user is on the Template Editor page, When they click 'Create New Template', Then a blank template form should appear with fields for template name, channel selection, and content editor. Given mandatory fields are empty, When the user attempts to save, Then the system should display validation messages and prevent saving.
Inserting and Rendering Dynamic Data Placeholders
Given the user is editing a template, When they select a placeholder from the placeholders menu (e.g., {{metric_name}}), Then the placeholder should be inserted at the cursor position in the editor. Given a template with placeholders is previewed, When the preview is generated with sample data, Then each placeholder should be replaced with the corresponding sample value.
Applying Basic Styling to Template Text
Given the user has selected text in the template editor, When they click a styling option (bold, italic, underline), Then the selected text should be styled accordingly in the editor. Given the styled text is previewed, When the preview is generated, Then the styling should be accurately reflected in the rendered output.
Previewing Templates Across Multiple Channels
Given the user is on the template editor, When they select a channel (SMS, Email, Slack, Push) and click 'Preview', Then the preview pane should display the template formatted as it would appear in that channel.
Managing Template Versions
Given a template has multiple saved versions, When the user opens the version history, Then a list of versions with timestamps and author names should be displayed. Given the user selects a previous version, When they click 'Restore', Then that version's content should replace the current editor content and be marked for new version upon save.
Automatic Template Application on Alert Generation
Given an alert is triggered for a monitored metric, When the system generates notifications, Then it should apply the latest active template for the relevant channel and send the formatted alert. Given the notification is sent, When the user views the sent notification log, Then the log entry should include the applied template version and rendered content.
Delivery Reliability and Retry Mechanism
"As a system administrator, I want failed notifications to be retried and logged so that critical alerts are delivered reliably and I can troubleshoot any issues."
Description

Implement a robust delivery pipeline with queueing, retry logic, and failure handling for all channels. The system should queue outgoing notifications, attempt retries on transient failures with exponential backoff, log persistent errors, and provide visibility into delivery status. Administrators should receive internal alerts if delivery failure rates exceed defined thresholds.

Acceptance Criteria
Successful Notification Delivery
Given a valid notification request and all channels operational When the system processes the request Then the notification is delivered to the recipient on each specified channel within 5 seconds and the delivery status is marked as 'Delivered'
Retry on Transient Failure
Given a transient network or service error occurs during notification delivery When the first delivery attempt fails Then the system retries up to 3 times with exponential backoff intervals (1s, 2s, 4s) and succeeds on a subsequent attempt without logging an error
Log Persistent Error After Max Retries
Given continuous delivery failures across all retry attempts When retries exceed the maximum limit Then the system logs the persistent error with channel details, error codes, and timestamps, and marks the status as 'Failed'
Admin Alert on High Failure Rate
Given the system records delivery failures When the failure rate for any channel exceeds 5% over a rolling 10-minute window Then an internal alert is sent to administrators via email and Slack with summary metrics and error details
Delivery Status Dashboard Visibility
Given notifications are processed When the dashboard is accessed by an administrator Then real-time delivery statuses, retry counts, failure reasons, and success rates are displayed for each channel with updates every 30 seconds

Snooze & Escalate

Allows users to temporarily snooze non-urgent alerts, with automatic escalation to backup contacts or higher-level managers if the issue remains unresolved after a set period.

Requirements

Alert Snooze Control
"As a store manager, I want to temporarily snooze non-urgent alerts so that I can focus on critical tasks without distractions."
Description

Allows users to temporarily mute non-urgent alerts for a specified duration. Integrates seamlessly into the dashboard interface with a snooze button on each alert. Ensures muted alerts reappear after the snooze period expires, maintaining visibility of unresolved issues without overwhelming users. Enhances focus and reduces alert fatigue while preserving accountability for follow-up.

Acceptance Criteria
Default Snooze Activation
Given a non-urgent alert is displayed with a snooze button, when the user clicks snooze without changing duration, then the alert is muted for the system default duration (e.g., 30 minutes)
Custom Snooze Duration Selection
Given a non-urgent alert is displayed, when the user selects a custom duration and confirms snooze, then the alert is muted for exactly the selected duration
Snoozed Alert Reappearance
Given an alert was snoozed for a set duration, when the duration expires, then the alert reappears in the alert list with its original priority and timestamp
Snooze Button Visibility
Given a non-urgent alert in the dashboard, then each alert displays a visible and enabled snooze button with an explanatory tooltip
Persistent Snooze State Across Sessions
Given a user snoozes an alert on one device, when the user logs in on another device before the snooze expires, then the alert remains muted until the end of the snooze period
Escalation Trigger Configuration
"As a store manager, I want to configure when an unresolved snoozed alert escalates so that backup contacts are notified automatically."
Description

Enables configuration of conditions that automatically escalate snoozed alerts after the snooze period elapses. Supports setting time thresholds and defining escalation rules. Integrates with the alert engine to monitor unresolved issues and triggers escalation workflows when conditions are met, ensuring timely attention to critical problems.

Acceptance Criteria
Standard Escalation After Snooze Period
Given an alert is snoozed for a configured period, When the configured snooze period expires, Then the system automatically triggers the escalation workflow for that alert.
Escalation to Backup Contacts
Given primary contacts have not acknowledged an alert within the snooze period, When the snooze period elapses, Then the system sends escalation notifications to the predefined backup contact list.
Multiple Escalation Rule Configuration
Given a user has defined multiple escalation rules with ascending time thresholds and recipient lists, When each threshold is reached without resolution, Then the system triggers the correct escalation rule in sequence.
Real-Time Monitoring Integration
Given the alert engine is running, When a snoozed alert’s timer expires, Then the system detects the event and initiates the escalation workflow within 60 seconds.
Invalid Threshold Configuration Handling
Given a user enters non-numeric, negative, or zero values for escalation time thresholds, When the user attempts to save the configuration, Then the system validates inputs, rejects invalid values, and displays an inline error message.
Backup Contact Directory
"As a store manager, I want to select backup contacts for escalation so that alerts are assuredly addressed if I'm unavailable."
Description

Provides an interface for managing backup contacts and escalation hierarchies. Allows users to add, remove, and prioritize backup personnel or groups. Stores contact methods (email, SMS, in-app) and integrates with user profiles. Ensures that the right individuals are notified when alerts escalate, improving coverage during absences.

Acceptance Criteria
Adding a New Backup Contact
Given an authenticated user on the Backup Contact Directory page When they click 'Add Contact', enter a valid name, select at least one contact method (email or SMS), assign a priority level, and click 'Save' Then the new backup contact appears in the directory list with correct details and a success notification is displayed.
Editing an Existing Backup Contact
Given a user viewing an existing backup contact When they click 'Edit', update the contact method (e.g., change email or add SMS), and save changes Then the contact’s details are updated in the directory and an 'Update successful' message appears.
Removing a Backup Contact
Given a user on the Backup Contact Directory page When they select a contact, click 'Remove', and confirm the deletion Then the contact is removed from the list, and the system displays a confirmation message.
Reordering Backup Contacts by Priority
Given a user with multiple backup contacts When they drag and drop contacts to reorder their priority and click 'Save Order' Then the new priority order is persisted, displayed correctly, and used for subsequent alert escalations.
Validating Contact Method Input
Given a user adding or editing a contact When they enter an invalid email format or an unsupported phone number Then the 'Save' button is disabled, and an inline validation error message is shown next to the invalid field.
Syncing Contacts with User Profiles
Given existing user profiles in the system When an admin clicks 'Sync with User Profiles' Then the backup directory is updated with profile pictures and contact methods pulled from the matching user accounts, and a summary of synced entries is displayed.
Escalation Notification Workflow
"As a backup manager, I want to receive alerts for escalated issues so that I can take timely action to resolve them."
Description

Implements the end-to-end workflow for sending escalated alert notifications. Supports multiple channels (email, SMS, push notifications) with templated messages that include alert details and resolution links. Tracks delivery status and retries on failure. Ensures escalated alerts reach backup contacts reliably and promptly.

Acceptance Criteria
Alert Snoozed Past Threshold triggers Escalation
Given a user snoozes a non-urgent alert for a defined period; When the snooze period expires without resolution; Then the system automatically escalates the alert to the configured backup contact via email, SMS, and push notifications with the correct alert details and resolution link; And the escalation event is recorded in the audit log with a timestamp.
Multi-Channel Delivery and Retry
Given an escalation notification is initiated; When a notification attempt fails on any channel; Then the system retries delivery up to three times at five-minute intervals per channel; And after exhausting retries on a channel, marks that channel as failed and continues attempts on remaining channels; And all retry attempts and final channel statuses are logged.
Templated Message Contents
Given an alert is escalated; When the system composes the notification message; Then the templated message correctly populates the alert ID, priority level, timestamp, and resolution link in the subject and body for email, SMS, and push; And the rendered message matches the template specification.
Delivery Status Tracking
Given an escalation notification has been sent; When the notification is delivered or fails on each channel; Then the system updates the delivery status in the dashboard within one minute; And displays the status per contact and channel accurately, including delivered, pending, or failed.
Escalation Chain to Manager
Given the backup contact is unreachable after retry attempts; When all backup contacts fail to acknowledge the alert; Then the system escalates the alert to the next-level manager automatically; And each escalation step, including contact details, timestamps, and outcomes, is logged in the audit trail.
Snooze & Escalation Audit Logging
"As an admin, I want a log of snooze and escalation actions so that I can audit response times and accountability."
Description

Logs all snooze and escalation actions with timestamps, user IDs, and context. Stores entries in an immutable audit trail for compliance and reporting. Provides filtering and export capabilities within the admin console. Ensures transparency, accountability, and the ability to review response times and user actions.

Acceptance Criteria
Snooze Action Logging
Given a user with valid credentials snoozes an active alert for a specified duration, When the action is completed, Then the system logs an entry in the audit trail containing the action type 'snooze', alert ID, user ID, timestamp, and snooze duration.
Escalation Action Logging
Given an alert remains unresolved past its snooze period, When the system escalates the alert to the designated backup contact or higher-level manager, Then an audit entry is recorded including action type 'escalate', original alert ID, escalation target, triggering timestamp, and initiating user or system process.
Immutable Audit Trail Verification
When any user or system process attempts to modify or delete existing audit log entries, Then the system rejects the attempt and returns an error message indicating that the audit trail is immutable.
Audit Log Filtering in Admin Console
Given an admin user selects one or more filter parameters (date range, user ID, action type) in the audit log interface, When the filters are applied, Then only entries matching the selected parameters are displayed in descending timestamp order.
Audit Log Export Functionality
Given an admin user requests an export of the currently filtered audit log entries, When the export is initiated, Then the system generates a downloadable CSV file containing all displayed entries and provides the download link within 30 seconds.

Snapshot Insights

Includes a brief contextual summary and mini-chart in each notification, highlighting recent trends and suggested next steps to empower instant, informed decision-making on the go.

Requirements

Trend Detection Engine
"As a small-business manager, I want to receive automatic notifications when my sales data shows significant trends so that I can take timely action to optimize performance."
Description

The Trend Detection Engine continuously monitors incoming business data streams for significant changes and patterns based on configurable thresholds and statistical models. It identifies upward or downward trends in key metrics such as sales, inventory levels, and customer traffic, determines the timing and frequency of notifications, and triggers Snapshot Insights when pre-defined conditions are met. This engine integrates with the data pipeline to ensure real-time or scheduled analysis, supports customizable alert criteria for different user roles, and logs events for audit and tuning purposes.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-time Sales Surge Detection
Given the Trend Detection Engine is processing live sales data When a 20% increase in sales volume is detected within 15 minutes Then generate a Snapshot Insight notification within 30 seconds containing a mini-chart of the trend and suggested next steps.
Inventory Level Decline Alert
Given daily inventory updates are ingested When inventory for any product falls below the configured threshold Then an alert is generated with a contextual summary and mini-chart delivered to the operations manager.
Customer Traffic Spike Notification
Given customer traffic data shows a 30% spike in foot traffic over an hour When this condition persists for two consecutive intervals Then dispatch a Snapshot Insight highlighting the spike trend and recommending staffing adjustments.
Custom Threshold Configuration Verification
Given a user sets a custom trend threshold for a metric When the engine is restarted Then the Trend Detection Engine respects the new threshold and triggers alerts only when the new threshold is breached.
Audit Log Entry Creation
Given any trend detection event occurs When an alert is generated Then a corresponding audit log entry is created with timestamp, metric details, threshold values, and user role information.
Contextual Summary Generator
"As a retail manager, I want a brief summary of recent sales performance highlights so that I can quickly understand what's happening without reviewing full reports."
Description

The Contextual Summary Generator compiles relevant data points and trend analysis into concise, natural-language summaries tailored to each notification. It leverages template-driven language models to highlight key insights—such as percentage changes, anomalies, and comparative metrics—while providing contextual background. This component integrates with the Trend Detection Engine to pull the latest findings, supports multi-language output, and allows customization of summary length and detail level to match user preferences.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-time Sales Trend Summary Generation
Given a sales increase of at least 10% over the previous hour, when generating the summary, then the summary includes the exact percentage change, comparison to the previous period, and one recommended action.
Anomaly Detection Summary Integration
Given an anomaly is flagged by the Trend Detection Engine, when generating the summary, then the summary highlights the anomaly type, provides contextual background, and suggests an appropriate next step.
User-Preference Length Customization
Given the user sets summary length to 'brief' or 'detailed', when generating the summary, then the output length does not exceed 50 words for brief and 150 words for detailed.
Multi-language Summary Output
Given the user selects Spanish, French, or English, when generating the summary, then the content is correctly translated and localized in the selected language without grammatical errors.
Performance Under High Data Volume
Given a data input with over 10,000 data points, when generating the summary, then the response time is at most 2 seconds and all key metrics are accurately represented.
Mini-Chart Renderer
"As a service operator, I want to see a quick visual of recent performance trends in my notification so that I can grasp data insights at a glance."
Description

The Mini-Chart Renderer generates compact, high-resolution chart visuals that embed seamlessly within notifications across mobile, email, and web channels. It auto-selects the most appropriate chart type based on the data pattern—such as line, bar, or sparkline—configures axis labels and color schemes for clarity, and optimizes image size for rapid loading. This renderer interfaces with the Contextual Summary Generator to align visual and textual content and supports retina displays and accessibility guidelines.

Acceptance Criteria
Time-Series Data Chart Type Selection
Given a dataset with date-value pairs and a clear trend, when the Mini-Chart Renderer processes the data, then it selects and renders a line chart that accurately plots the time-series trend.
Mobile Notification Chart Accessibility
Given a mobile notification container, when the chart is rendered, then axis labels must be at least 9px in height and all colors must have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for readability on small screens.
Email Embedding Image Size Optimization
Given email client constraints, when the chart image is generated, then the file size must be no greater than 50KB while preserving visual clarity, and the image format must be PNG or SVG.
Visual-Textual Consistency with Contextual Summary
Given a data metric and its contextual summary text, when both the mini-chart and text are presented, then every data point and summary statistic in the chart must precisely match the numbers referenced in the summary.
Retina Display Rendering Quality
Given a device with devicePixelRatio of 2 or higher, when the chart is rendered, then the output image must use 2× resolution scaling and display without pixelation.
Action Recommendation Module
"As a store manager, I want suggested next steps when significant trends occur so that I can make informed decisions without manual analysis."
Description

The Action Recommendation Module analyzes detected trends and contextual data to generate personalized, actionable suggestions for next steps. It applies rule-based logic and machine learning models to recommend tasks such as inventory restocking, promotional adjustments, or staffing changes. Recommendations include rationale and expected impact, link to relevant dashboard views, and support user feedback to refine suggestion accuracy over time. This module integrates with user profiles to tailor suggestions based on past interactions and business goals.

Acceptance Criteria
Inventory Reorder Suggestion Triggered
Given a product’s inventory level falls below the predefined threshold When the Action Recommendation Module analyzes the inventory data Then it generates a reorder recommendation that includes the suggested quantity, expected delivery date, rationale based on sales velocity, and a direct link to the inventory dashboard view
Promotion Adjustment Recommendation
Given a drop in weekday afternoon foot traffic by more than 15% over the past week When the module processes sales and traffic data Then it recommends a promotional discount or advertisement adjustment, specifies target products and channels, includes estimated uplift percentage and rationale, and links to the relevant sales performance dashboard
Staffing Level Optimization Prompt
Given projected staffing shortages based on scheduled shifts and forecasted customer traffic When the module evaluates staffing data Then it suggests specific shift adjustments or additional hires, provides expected impact on service levels and labor costs, and offers a link to the staffing and forecast dashboard
User Feedback Integration Refinement
Given user feedback indicating the recommendation was irrelevant or inaccurate When the user submits feedback on a recommendation Then the module records the feedback, adjusts future recommendation weights based on user preferences, and updates the recommendation rationale accordingly within 24 hours
Dashboard Link Navigation Validation
Given a recommendation includes a dashboard link When a user clicks the link Then the system navigates the user directly to the specified dashboard view, and the view loads within 3 seconds without errors
Notification Delivery Service
"As a small-business manager, I want to receive insights through my preferred channel so that I stay informed wherever I am."
Description

The Notification Delivery Service ensures reliable, configurable distribution of Snapshot Insights via push notifications, email, and in-app alerts. It manages user subscription preferences, scheduling rules, retry logic for failed deliveries, and channel-specific formatting. This service integrates with existing authentication systems to verify recipients and logs delivery metrics for monitoring and optimization. Administrators can configure delivery windows, thresholds for channel escalation, and fallback methods to maintain high reach and engagement.

Acceptance Criteria
Subscription Preferences Update
Given a user updates their notification channel preferences, when they save changes, then the service persists the preferences in the user profile and returns a success confirmation within 2 seconds.
Scheduled Push Notification Delivery
Given a snapshot insight is scheduled for delivery at a configured time window, when the scheduled time arrives, then a push notification containing the mini-chart and contextual summary is delivered to the user’s device within 1 minute.
Channel Fallback to Email
Given push notification delivery fails after three retry attempts, when the failure threshold is reached, then the service automatically sends the same insight via email formatted according to email templates within 2 minutes of the final push attempt.
Retry Logic on Transient Failures
Given a transient network or server error occurs during notification dispatch, when the initial delivery attempt fails, then the service retries up to three times with exponential backoff intervals (1 min, 2 mins, 4 mins) and logs each retry attempt.
Delivery Metrics Logging
Given any notification delivery attempt (successful or failed), when the attempt completes, then the service records the timestamp, channel, delivery status code, user ID, and error details (if any) in the metrics log store, accessible via the admin API.

Template Builder

Empowers users to craft and save custom filter presets with a simple drag-and-drop interface, allowing teams to fine-tune data views for unique business needs without technical expertise.

Requirements

Drag-and-Drop Filter Components
"As a non-technical manager, I want to drag and drop different filter controls onto my dashboard template so that I can customize data views effortlessly without writing code."
Description

Allow users to select, arrange, and configure filter widgets using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Components include dropdown filters, date pickers, and multi-select toggles. Integration with the existing dashboard builder ensures an immediate preview of filtered data views without any coding.

Acceptance Criteria
Add Filter Component via Drag-and-Drop
Given the Template Builder is open When the user drags a filter widget from the component panel onto the canvas Then the filter widget appears at the intended drop location and is selectable
Reorder Filter Components on Canvas
Given multiple filter components on the canvas When the user drags one component to a new position Then the components reorder accordingly, the new layout is saved, and no data view breaks
Configure Filter Component Parameters
Given a filter component is selected on the canvas When the user opens its settings, adjusts options (e.g., date range, dropdown values), and saves Then the component reflects the updated parameters and applies them in the preview
Instant Preview of Filtered Data
Given one or more filters are configured When the user applies changes Then the dashboard preview updates within 1 second to display data according to the active filters
Remove Filter Component from Canvas
Given a filter component on the canvas When the user selects and deletes the component Then the component is removed and the dashboard preview updates to exclude its filter criteria
Save Custom Templates
"As a retail manager, I want to save my favorite filter configurations as templates so that I can quickly apply them to future dashboards without reconfiguring filters each time."
Description

Enable users to save their configured filter presets as named templates. Templates preserve filter types, settings, and layout. Once saved, templates appear in the user’s personal library for quick retrieval and reuse across multiple dashboards.

Acceptance Criteria
Save a new custom template
Given the user has configured filters and layout, When the user enters a unique template name and clicks Save, Then the template is stored and a success message is displayed.
View template in personal library
Given at least one template exists, When the user navigates to their personal library, Then the saved template appears with its name, thumbnail, and creation date.
Apply saved template to another dashboard
Given a template is present in the library, When the user selects Apply on the template in a different dashboard, Then the dashboard’s filters and layout update to match the template.
Preserve filter settings in saved template
Given filters with specific parameters (e.g., date range, category selection) and custom layout, When the user saves and then reopens the template, Then all original filter values and layout positions are intact.
Handle duplicate template names
Given a template with an existing name, When the user attempts to save another template with the same name, Then the system displays an error prompting for a unique name and does not overwrite the existing template.
Template Library Management
"As a small-business owner, I want to manage all my filter templates in one place so that I can easily find, organize, and remove outdated templates when needed."
Description

Provide a centralized library interface where users can view, search, organize, and delete saved templates. Features include sorting by name, date created, and custom tags. The library integrates with team workspaces, displaying shared and personal templates separately.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Personal and Team Templates
Given the user navigates to the Template Library page, When the page loads, Then the library displays two separate sections labeled 'Personal Templates' and 'Team Templates', and each section lists only the respective templates.
Searching Templates by Keyword
Given the user enters a keyword into the template search bar, When they submit the search, Then the library filters and displays only the templates whose names or descriptions contain the keyword, sorted by relevance.
Sorting Templates by Name and Date
Given the user selects a sort option from the 'Sort By' dropdown, When they choose 'Name (A-Z)', 'Date Created (newest first)', or 'Date Created (oldest first)', Then the templates in the currently selected section reorder accordingly.
Filtering Templates by Custom Tag
Given the user clicks on a custom tag filter, When they select one or more tags, Then the library displays only the templates that are tagged with all selected tags.
Organizing Templates with Tags
Given the user views a template in the library, When they click 'Edit Tags' and assign or remove tags, Then the changes are saved and reflected immediately in the tag filter options.
Deleting a Template from the Library
Given the user selects a template and clicks the 'Delete' action, When they confirm the deletion in the popup, Then the template is permanently removed from the appropriate section and no longer visible in searches or filters.
Template Sharing and Permissions
"As a service team lead, I want to share my customized filter templates with my team so that everyone can use consistent data views and collaborate more effectively."
Description

Allow template creators to share templates with teammates or entire groups and set permission levels (view-only or edit). Integrate with existing user roles to enforce access control, and notify recipients when new templates are shared.

Acceptance Criteria
Sharing a Template with a Single Teammate
Given a template creator shares a template with a single teammate and grants view-only access, when the teammate accesses the template list, then they see the template listed and can view its filters but cannot edit or delete it.
Sharing a Template with an Entire Group
Given a template creator shares a template with a user group and grants edit access, when any group member views the templates list, then all group members can view, apply, and modify the template, with their edits saved according to group permissions.
Modifying Permissions of a Shared Template
Given an existing shared template, when the creator changes the permission level from view-only to edit (or vice versa), then all shared users immediately receive the updated access level without needing to re-share or refresh.
Unauthorized Access Attempt to a Template
Given a user without ownership or granted share permissions attempts to share or modify a template, when they initiate the share or edit action, then the system blocks the action and displays an "Access Denied" error message.
Notification Delivery upon Template Sharing
Given a template is shared with users or groups, when the share action is completed, then each recipient receives an in-app notification and an email within 5 minutes containing the template name, sender name, and permission level.
Preview and Apply Templates
"As a retail analyst, I want to preview how a filter template will affect my dashboard data before applying it so that I can ensure it meets my requirements."
Description

Offer a preview mode that shows a sample of dashboard data with the selected template applied before committing changes. Upon confirmation, the template filters are applied to the current dashboard view, updating charts and visualizations in real time.

Acceptance Criteria
Preview Sample Data
- Given a user selects a saved template and clicks “Preview,” when the system fetches sample data, then a representative sample of at least 10 records displays with template filters applied. - Given the sample data is loaded, then all preview charts update to reflect the filtered sample data within 2 seconds.
Confirm Apply Template
- Given a user is satisfied with the preview and clicks “Apply,” when the confirmation dialog appears and the user confirms, then the dashboard filters apply to the full dataset and all charts update in real time. - Given the dashboard successfully updates, then a success notification displays stating “Template applied successfully.”
Cancel Preview Mode
- Given a user is in preview mode, when clicking “Cancel Preview,” then the dashboard reverts to its original filter state and restores charts to their prior configuration without saving changes.
Invalid Template Error Handling
- Given a template contains invalid or conflicting filter rules, when attempting to preview or apply, then an inline error message displays specifying which filters are invalid and provides corrective guidance.
Template Persistence Across Sessions
- Given a user applies a template and later reloads the dashboard or logs out and back in, when returning to the dashboard, then the last applied template filters persist and all charts reflect the applied template.

Smart Suggestions

Uses AI to analyze historical data and user behavior, recommending relevant filter presets—like seasonal sales or high-margin items—so users discover critical insights faster.

Requirements

AI Suggestion Generation
"As a small business manager, I want the system to automatically suggest relevant filter presets so that I can quickly uncover key insights without manually exploring data."
Description

Implement an AI engine that processes analyzed data to propose relevant filter presets based on patterns such as seasonality, high-margin items, and emerging trends. This engine integrates with existing data pipelines, enabling dynamic recommendation generation for dashboard filters and enhancing user insight discovery through automated, contextually relevant suggestions.

Acceptance Criteria
Seasonal Sales Suggestion Scenario
Given historical sales data segmented by date exists for the same season in the previous year, when the user opens the dashboard filter panel, then the AI engine provides a filter preset named "Seasonal Sales" that includes the corresponding date range and sales metrics.
High-Margin Items Suggestion Scenario
Given the product catalog with margin data and sales transactions, when the user engages the AI suggestion feature, then the AI engine recommends a filter preset labeled "High-Margin Items" that filters products with margins above the 75th percentile.
Emerging Trends Suggestion Scenario
Given the system detects a 20% week-over-week increase in sales for any product category, when the AI engine processes new data, then it generates a filter preset titled "Emerging Trends" that highlights those product categories.
User Behavior Adaptation Scenario
Given a user has applied custom filters twice in succession for a specific time frame and product segment, when reaccessing the dashboard, then the AI engine prioritizes and suggests those filter presets at the top of the suggestion list.
Real-Time Data Update Suggestion Scenario
Given new data arrives via the data pipeline, when data ingestion completes, then the AI engine automatically recalculates and updates filter suggestions within 60 seconds and displays a notification of updated presets.
Historical Data Analysis
"As a product manager, I want the system to preprocess historical data accurately so that the AI engine can generate reliable suggestions based on past trends."
Description

Build a module to aggregate, cleanse, and normalize historical sales and transaction data across various time periods and business segments. This component ensures the AI engine receives high-quality, representative datasets for accurate pattern recognition and trend identification, forming a solid foundation for informed recommendations.

Acceptance Criteria
Aggregating Sales and Transaction Data by Time Period
Given multiple data sources with sales and transaction records, when the module runs the aggregation process, then it consolidates all records into a single dataset segmented correctly by week, month, quarter, and year with no missing entries.
Data Cleansing and Error Handling
Given raw historical data containing duplicates, null values, and format inconsistencies, when the cleansing routine executes, then all duplicates are removed, null transaction fields are imputed or flagged, and date formats are standardized to ISO 8601.
Data Normalization Across Business Segments
Given sales data from different store locations and product categories, when normalization is applied, then all numeric metrics are scaled to a common range and categorical values are mapped to a standardized taxonomy.
Incremental Data Update and Backfill
Given new transaction data arriving daily and historical gaps detected, when the incremental update process runs, then only new or changed records are processed and historical gaps are backfilled without duplicating existing data.
Quality Metrics Verification
Given the aggregated, cleansed, and normalized dataset, when quality checks are performed, then data quality metrics (completeness ≥ 99%, accuracy ≥ 98%, consistency across segments) meet predefined thresholds.
User Behavior Tracking
"As a frequent dashboard user, I want the platform to remember my filter preferences so that future suggestions are tailored to my workflow."
Description

Integrate event tracking within dashboards to capture user interactions such as selected filters, viewed metrics, and applied suggestions. Store behavioral data with timestamps to personalize future recommendations, adapting suggestions to individual usage patterns and improving relevance over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter Selection Tracking
Given a user selects a filter within a dashboard, when the filter is applied, then an event containing userID, filterID, dashboardID, and timestamp is stored in the behavioral data store.
Metrics View Logging
Given a user views or interacts with a specific metric on a dashboard, when the view occurs, then an event with userID, metricID, dashboardID, and timestamp is recorded.
Suggestion Application Tracking
Given a user applies an AI-generated suggestion, when the suggestion is confirmed, then an event capturing userID, suggestionID, appliedFilters, and timestamp is stored.
Behavioral Data Persistence
Given interaction events are generated, when querying the behavioral data store, then all events are retrievable and match the original user interactions in content and order.
Personalized Recommendation Generation
Given existing behavioral event data for a user, when generating filter suggestions, then the system personalizes recommendations based on the user's historical interactions, reflecting preferences indicated by event frequency and recency.
Interactive Suggestions UI
"As a dashboard user, I want to see AI-suggested filter presets highlighted in the interface so that I can apply them with a single click and explore insights faster."
Description

Develop a front-end component that surfaces AI-generated filter presets within the dashboard interface. The UI should display suggestion cards with contextual labels (e.g., “Holiday Sales Trend”), enable one-click application, provide tooltips explaining the benefit of each filter, and allow manual refinement for streamlined insight exploration.

Acceptance Criteria
Suggestion Card Visibility on Dashboard Load
Given a user opens an existing dashboard containing historical data, when the dashboard finishes loading, then at least three AI-generated suggestion cards appear above the data visualization area, each with a contextual label matching recent user behavior or seasonal trends.
One-Click Filter Application
Given suggestion cards are displayed, when the user clicks the 'Apply' button on a suggestion card, then the corresponding filter preset is applied immediately to the dashboard with updated visualizations reflecting the preset parameters.
Tooltip Explanation on Hover
Given suggestion cards are displayed, when the user hovers over the info icon on a suggestion card, then a tooltip appears displaying a concise explanation of the filter’s benefit, not exceeding 200 characters.
Manual Refinement of Suggestions
Given a suggestion filter is applied, when the user opens the filter panel, then the user can adjust filter parameters (e.g., date range, metrics) and see the dashboard update in real time.
Responsive UI Interaction
Given the user interacts with suggestion cards or refines filters, when any action is performed (click or hover), then the UI responds within 200 milliseconds without visual glitches.
Feedback Integration
"As a business analyst, I want to provide feedback on generated suggestions so that the system learns from my input and improves future recommendations."
Description

Implement a feedback mechanism allowing users to accept, reject, or rate each suggested filter preset. Capture this feedback and feed it back into the AI models to refine future suggestions, ensuring continuous learning, improved accuracy, and alignment with individual user preferences.

Acceptance Criteria
User accepts a filter suggestion
Given a suggested filter preset is displayed, when the user clicks the “Accept” button, then the preset is applied to the dashboard and positive feedback is recorded for that suggestion.
User rejects a filter suggestion
Given a suggested filter preset is displayed, when the user clicks the “Reject” button, then the preset is dismissed and negative feedback is recorded for that suggestion.
User rates a filter suggestion
Given a suggested filter preset is displayed, when the user selects a rating from 1 to 5 stars, then the rating is saved and associated with that suggestion.
Feedback persistence in database
Given user feedback is captured (accept/reject/rating), when the feedback is submitted, then it is stored in the feedback database table with user ID, suggestion ID, timestamp, and feedback type.
AI model retrains with new feedback
Given new feedback entries exist in the database for at least 100 suggestions, when the nightly retraining job runs, then the AI model is updated to incorporate the latest feedback and a new model version is deployed.

Filter Hub

A centralized repository where teams can share, rate, and import filter templates, fostering collaboration and ensuring everyone uses standardized, proven filters for consistent reporting.

Requirements

Template Browsing Interface
"As a small-business manager, I want to browse a catalog of pre-built filter templates so that I can quickly find relevant filters without creating them from scratch."
Description

A user-friendly interface within the Filter Hub that allows users to browse available filter templates. It should display templates as cards with key details (name, description, creator, rating) and support pagination or infinite scrolling. The interface must integrate with Dashflow’s design system, ensuring consistency in look and feel, and allow users to preview filters before import.

Acceptance Criteria
Template Card Display
Template cards display the name, description, creator name, and average rating; cards use the design system’s colors, typography, and spacing; a loading indicator appears until data is fetched.
Pagination and Infinite Scrolling
Users can navigate through templates using pagination controls or infinite scroll; when the user scrolls to the bottom, the next batch of templates loads automatically within 200ms; pagination controls allow jumping to any page and update the displayed templates accordingly.
Preview Filter Template
Clicking the preview button on a template card opens a modal displaying the filter’s parameters and a sample data preview; the modal adheres to design system styles; the modal closes when the user clicks outside or selects the close action.
Design System Consistency
All interface components (cards, buttons, modals, loading indicators) use the design system’s tokens for colors, typography, and spacing; hover, focus, and disabled states match design specifications; accessibility roles and labels comply with WCAG 2.1 AA.
Responsive Layout
The interface adjusts to screen widths from 320px to 1920px, displaying one column of cards on mobile (<600px), two columns on tablet (600–1024px), and four columns on desktop (>1024px); controls remain usable and cards resize appropriately without horizontal scrolling.
Search and Tag Filtering
"As a data analyst, I want to search and filter templates by keywords and tags so that I can efficiently find the exact filter configuration I need."
Description

A search bar and tag-based filtering system that enables users to quickly locate filter templates by keywords, categories, or custom tags. The requirement includes indexing template metadata for fast retrieval, autocomplete suggestions, and multi-select tag filters. Integration with the main Dashflow search API ensures consistent performance across the platform.

Acceptance Criteria
Search by Keyword in Filter Hub
Given the user enters a keyword in the Filter Hub search bar, When they submit the search, Then results load within 200ms and display filter templates whose titles or descriptions contain the keyword, sorted by relevance.
Autocomplete Suggestions Display
Given the user has typed at least three characters in the search bar, When the user pauses typing, Then a dropdown shows up to 10 autocomplete suggestions pulled from template names and tags, and arrow-key navigation and Enter selection function correctly.
Multi-Select Tag Filtering
Given the user selects multiple tags from the tag filter panel, When they apply the filters, Then only templates containing all selected tags are displayed, with each selected tag removable individually and the result count updated.
No Results Handling
Given no templates match the current search terms or tag filters, When the system completes its query, Then the UI displays 'No templates found' with a 'Clear All' button that resets the search bar and all tag selections.
Search API Integration
Given any search or tag filter action, When the system sends the request to the Dashflow Search API endpoint, Then the payload includes the search keyword and selected tags, and the UI handles successful responses and displays an error message with a single retry option on network failure.
Template Rating and Feedback
"As a team member, I want to rate and comment on filter templates so that high-quality templates rise to the top and authors receive feedback for improvement."
Description

A rating system where users can upvote or downvote filter templates and leave optional comments or feedback. Ratings and comments should be displayed on each template card, and aggregate scores updated in real-time. This system integrates with Dashflow’s user profile and notifications, alerting template creators when feedback is received.

Acceptance Criteria
User Rates a Filter Template
Given a logged-in user views a filter template card When the user clicks the upvote or downvote button Then the vote is recorded and the button state updates to reflect the user’s choice
User Submits Feedback Comment
Given a logged-in user on a template detail view When the user enters text in the comment field and selects Submit Then the comment appears under the template with the user’s name and timestamp
Real-Time Aggregate Score Update
Given multiple users voting on a template When any user casts a vote Then the aggregate score on the template card updates in real time without a page reload
Display Ratings and Comments on Template Card
Given a template card in the Filter Hub When the card is rendered Then the current aggregate score and latest three comments are visible on the card
Notify Template Creator of New Feedback
Given a template creator has opted in for notifications When any user submits a rating or comment on their template Then the creator receives a notification in their Dashflow inbox within two minutes
Prevent Duplicate Voting
Given a user has already voted on a template When the user attempts to vote again Then the system prevents a second vote and displays a message allowing them to change or remove their vote
One-Click Template Import
"As a non-technical user, I want to import a filter template with one click so that I can quickly apply proven filters to my data without manual configuration."
Description

A feature enabling users to import a selected filter template into their current dashboard with a single click. The import process must map template fields to the user’s dataset, handle missing or mismatched fields gracefully with prompts or defaults, and apply the filter immediately. Error handling and success notifications should be provided.

Acceptance Criteria
Valid Template Import
Given a user selects a compatible filter template and clicks the import button, Then the template fields map automatically to matching dataset fields, And the filter is applied to the current dashboard without additional input, And a success notification appears within 2 seconds.
Handling Missing Template Fields
Given a template contains fields not present in the user’s dataset, When the user initiates import, Then the system displays a prompt listing missing fields with options to assign defaults or skip, And waits for user resolution before applying the filter.
Resolving Field Type Mismatches
Given a template field’s data type differs from the dataset field’s type, When the import process detects the mismatch, Then the system notifies the user of the conflict with recommended actions (e.g., convert field type or select alternative field), And does not apply the filter until resolved.
Import Performance Under Load
Given the dashboard has over 100 active widgets and filters, When the user performs a one-click import, Then the filter template applies successfully and the UI updates within 3 seconds, Without errors or delayed rendering.
Error Handling and Recovery
Given a network interruption or server error occurs during import, When the error is detected, Then the system aborts the import, displays a clear error message with retry and cancel options, And preserves the original dashboard state.
Template Submission and Sharing
"As a power user, I want to submit my custom filter templates to the hub so that my colleagues can benefit from my configurations."
Description

A submission workflow for users to upload new filter templates to the hub, including fields for name, description, tags, and optional documentation. Submitted templates enter a review queue for admin approval. Once approved, templates become searchable and shareable. The process integrates with Dashflow’s permissions system to ensure only authorized users can submit or approve.

Acceptance Criteria
Accessing the Template Submission Form
Given a user with 'submit_template' permission, When they navigate to the Filter Hub and click 'Submit Template', Then the submission form displays fields for Name, Description, Tags, and Documentation, and the Submit button is enabled only when all mandatory fields are populated.
Submitting a New Template
Given the submission form is displayed, When the user enters a valid template Name, Description, and at least one Tag, Then clicking 'Submit' saves the template with status 'Pending Review' and displays a confirmation message.
Preventing Duplicate Template Names
Given an existing template name in the hub, When a user attempts to submit a new template with the same Name, Then the system displays a validation error 'Template name already in use' and prevents the submission.
Admin Reviewing Submitted Templates
Given an admin user with 'approve_template' permission, When they access the review queue, Then they see a list of pending templates showing Name, Submitter, Submission Date, and have options to Approve or Reject each template.
Approving Templates and Visibility
Given an admin approves a template in the review queue, When approval is confirmed, Then the template status changes to 'Approved', becomes searchable in the Filter Hub, and the submitter receives a notification of approval.
Enforcing Submission and Approval Permissions
Given a user without 'submit_template' or 'approve_template' permissions, When they access the Filter Hub or attempt direct URLs, Then they cannot see the 'Submit Template' button or review queue, and receive an 'Access Denied' message.
Template Versioning and History
"As a project lead, I want to see the version history of a filter template so that I can understand changes and restore earlier versions if needed."
Description

A version control mechanism for filter templates that tracks changes over time, allowing users to view history, compare versions, and revert to previous iterations. The requirement includes storing metadata (version number, author, timestamp) and integrating a diff viewer. This ensures transparency and recovery of earlier filter setups.

Acceptance Criteria
View Template Version History
Given a user is on a filter template page, when they click the “Version History” tab, then the system displays a list of all saved versions sorted by timestamp, showing version number, author, and date/time for each entry.
Compare Two Template Versions
Given a user selects two versions from the version history list, when they click “Compare,” then the diff viewer opens and highlights additions, deletions, and modifications in the filter criteria between the two selected versions.
Revert to a Previous Version
Given a user views the details of a previous version, when they click “Revert” and confirm the action, then the filter template is restored to that version, a new version entry is created with incremented version number, current user as author, and current timestamp, and the active template reflects the reverted settings.
Metadata Accuracy on Version Save
Given a user edits and saves a filter template, when the save completes, then the system creates a new version entry where version number is previous version + 1, author matches the saving user, and timestamp matches the save completion time.
Prevent Revert without Confirmation
Given a user initiates a revert action, when the revert dialog appears, then the user must explicitly confirm by typing “REVERT” into the confirmation field before the system executes the revert.

AutoSchedule

Enables users to automatically apply and refresh chosen filter presets on a regular cadence—daily, weekly, or monthly—so dashboards are always up to date without manual intervention.

Requirements

Preset Scheduling Setup
"As a small-business manager, I want to schedule my favorite filter presets on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis so that my dashboards update automatically without me having to remember to refresh them."
Description

Provide an intuitive interface allowing users to choose saved filter presets and configure an automatic execution cadence—daily, weekly, or monthly—so dashboards remain current without manual updates. This feature integrates with the dashboard module, linking directly to existing saved views and enabling users to define start times, time zones, and recurrence patterns. By automating filter application, it reduces manual workload, ensures consistency in reporting, and empowers non-technical teams to maintain up-to-date insights effortlessly.

Acceptance Criteria
Setting Up a Daily Preset Schedule
Given the user has navigated to the Preset Scheduling Setup interface and selected a saved filter preset, When the user configures the schedule with a daily recurrence at a specified local time and confirms, Then the system shall save the schedule entry, display it in the active schedules list with the correct next run time, and execute the filter preset daily at the specified time.
Configuring Weekly Preset Refresh with Time Zone Awareness
Given the user selects a weekly recurrence pattern and chooses a specific day of the week and time zone, When the user saves the schedule, Then the system shall persist the schedule with the correct recurrence and time zone settings, display the upcoming three run dates, and execute the filter preset weekly at the correct local time.
Modifying an Existing Monthly Schedule
Given an existing monthly schedule is listed, When the user edits the recurrence day, start time, or time zone and saves the changes, Then the system shall update the schedule details, recalculate and display the new next run date, and execute future runs based on the updated configuration.
Deleting a Preset Schedule
Given a user selects an existing schedule from the schedules list, When the user confirms deletion, Then the system shall remove the schedule from the list, prevent any further executions, and display a confirmation message indicating successful deletion.
Handling Invalid Schedule Inputs
Given the user inputs an invalid time (outside 00:00–23:59) or unsupported recurrence pattern, When the user attempts to save the schedule, Then the system shall display clear, inline validation error messages for each invalid field and prevent the schedule from being saved until corrected.
Automated Refresh Engine
"As an operations manager, I want the system to automatically apply and refresh my dashboards according to my preset schedule so that I can trust the reports are always showing current data without manual intervention."
Description

Develop a backend engine that triggers dashboard refreshes at the defined schedule. The engine must queue and execute filter application tasks, handle concurrency for multiple dashboards, and ensure data integrity during updates. It should be scalable to support growing numbers of users and dashboards, provide retry logic on transient failures, and expose an API for monitoring and control. Reliable scheduling ensures dashboards always display the latest data and builds trust in the system’s automation capabilities.

Acceptance Criteria
Daily Dashboard Refresh Trigger
Given a dashboard has a daily refresh schedule configured, When the 24-hour interval elapses, Then the backend engine queues and executes the refresh task and updates the dashboard data within 5 minutes.
Concurrent Multi-Dashboard Refresh
Given multiple dashboards with overlapping refresh schedules, When refresh tasks are triggered simultaneously, Then the engine processes up to 10 tasks in parallel without failures due to concurrency.
Transient Error Retry Mechanism
Given a transient error occurs during a refresh, When the engine fails to update the dashboard data, Then it retries the refresh up to 3 times with exponential backoff and logs each attempt.
Refresh Monitoring API Access
Given an authenticated API request is made to retrieve refresh job statuses, When the request is valid, Then the API returns current pending, running, succeeded, and failed jobs with HTTP 200 within 2 seconds.
Scalability Under High Load
Given 100 simultaneous refresh schedules are due, When the engine processes them, Then it maintains CPU utilization below 80% and memory usage below 70% and completes all tasks within the scheduled window.
Failure Notification & Alerting
"As a dashboard administrator, I want to receive immediate alerts when an automatic refresh fails so that I can investigate and resolve issues promptly, ensuring business decisions are based on accurate data."
Description

Implement a notification subsystem that alerts users and administrators when scheduled refresh tasks fail or encounter errors. Notifications should be configurable—delivered via email or in-app messages—and include meaningful error details and suggested next steps. This subsystem integrates with the scheduling engine and logging service, ensuring timely awareness of issues and enabling users to take corrective action before decision-making is impacted.

Acceptance Criteria
Email Notification on Task Failure
Given a scheduled dashboard refresh task fails due to an error, when the task status is marked as failure, then an email is sent within 5 minutes to the task owner’s configured email address containing the error code, error message, timestamp of failure, and a link to view full logs.
In-App Alert for Task Errors
Given a user is logged into Dashflow, when any of their scheduled refresh tasks fails, then an in-app notification appears in their notifications panel within 5 minutes, displaying the task name, failure reason, and a link to retry the task.
Admin Group Alerting
Given an administrative email group is configured for failure alerts, when any user’s scheduled task fails, then each member of the admin group receives an email with the failure details and a link to the system logs within 10 minutes of the failure.
Configurable Alert Channels
Given a user has set notification preferences to receive alerts via email only, in-app only, or both, when a scheduled refresh failure occurs, then notifications are delivered exclusively through the user’s selected channel(s) within the specified SLA.
Suggested Next Steps in Notification
Given a failure notification (email or in-app) is generated, then the notification message includes two actionable next steps: a button to manually retry the refresh task and a hyperlink to the troubleshooting documentation.
Schedule History & Audit Log
"As a compliance officer, I want to review a history of all scheduled refresh executions so that I can verify automated processes, investigate anomalies, and maintain audit trails for reporting."
Description

Create a logging and audit interface that tracks every scheduled refresh attempt, including timestamps, execution status, applied filter presets, and user who configured the schedule. Offer a dashboard view where users can review past runs, filter by status or date range, and export logs for compliance or analysis. This feature enhances transparency, aids troubleshooting, and supports audit requirements by providing a clear record of automated activities.

Acceptance Criteria
Access Schedule History Dashboard
Given a user navigates to the AutoSchedule History tab When the dashboard loads Then a table displays all past scheduled refresh attempts sorted by most recent timestamp And each row shows the timestamp, execution status, filter preset name, and the user who configured it
Filter Logs by Status and Date
Given the user is viewing the History dashboard When the user applies filters for status "Failed" and a specific date range Then only entries matching the selected status and falling within the chosen date range are displayed
Export Audit Logs
Given the user has applied any desired filters When the user clicks the "Export CSV" button Then the system generates and downloads a CSV file containing all currently visible log entries with columns for timestamp, status, filter preset, and configuring user
View Log Entry Details
Given the user clicks on a log entry in the History table When the user opens the detailed view Then the system displays full information for that entry including execution timestamp, duration, status, filter preset details, configuring user, and any error messages
Record Failed Refresh Attempts
Given a scheduled refresh attempt fails due to an error When the failure occurs Then the system logs an entry with status "Failed", the exact timestamp, the applied filter preset name, the user who configured the schedule, and the error message
Admin Override & Manual Trigger
"As a power user, I want to manually trigger or pause my scheduled dashboard refresh so that I can get up-to-the-minute data when needed or halt automation during maintenance windows."
Description

Allow users with appropriate permissions to manually trigger a scheduled refresh at any time and to temporarily override or disable future scheduled tasks. The interface should present clear options to run immediately, pause schedules, or resume at will, with confirmation prompts to prevent accidental changes. This flexibility ensures that urgent data needs can be met and that schedules can be safely modified without developer support.

Acceptance Criteria
Immediate Refresh Execution
Given a user with admin privileges is on the dashboard schedule settings, when they click the “Run Now” button, then the dashboard refresh executes immediately and a success notification is displayed.
Pause Scheduled Refresh
Given a user with admin privileges is on the dashboard schedule settings, when they click the “Pause Schedule” option, then the next scheduled refresh is disabled, the UI reflects the paused state, and a confirmation message is shown.
Resume Scheduled Refresh
Given a user with admin privileges has previously paused a schedule, when they click the “Resume Schedule” option, then the schedule reactivates at its original cadence and the UI updates to show an active state.
Confirmation Prompt on Actions
When a user with admin privileges initiates an immediate refresh, pause, or resume action, then a confirmation dialog appears requiring explicit confirmation before executing the action and can be cancelled.
Permission Enforcement
Given a user without admin privileges is viewing schedule controls, when they attempt to manually trigger or override a schedule, then the controls are either hidden or disabled and an “Access Denied” message is displayed.

Insight Metrics

Tracks usage and performance of each filter preset—such as time saved and most accessed filters—helping managers optimize template libraries based on real user impact.

Requirements

Preset Usage Logging
"As a small-business manager, I want to see how often each filter preset is used so that I can identify which presets drive the most engagement."
Description

Implement a system that automatically logs each time a user applies a filter preset, recording the preset name, user ID, timestamp, and context. This data enables tracking of usage frequency, user engagement, and support for further analytics. The logging system should integrate seamlessly with existing event pipelines and ensure data accuracy and minimal performance impact.

Acceptance Criteria
Logging Single Preset Application
Given a user applies a filter preset on any dashboard When the action completes Then the system must record an event containing the preset name, user ID, timestamp, and dashboard ID
Integration with Event Pipeline
Given a logged preset application event When the event enters the existing pipeline Then the event must be transmitted to downstream analytics services without data loss or schema mismatch
Handling Concurrent Preset Applications
Given multiple users apply presets simultaneously When requests exceed 100 per second Then all events must be logged without collision, duplication, or loss
Ensuring Data Accuracy in Logs
Given a logged event record When compared to user action metadata Then the preset name, user ID, timestamp, and context fields must match exactly
Minimal Performance Impact
Given normal user activity When the logging system is active Then page load time must remain within 200ms of baseline and CPU usage increase must not exceed 5%
Time Saved Computation
"As a small-business manager, I want to know how much time each filter preset saves me so that I can justify and optimize our dashboard templates."
Description

Calculate the time saved by users when applying filter presets versus manual filtering by measuring average manual filtering time and comparing it against preset application time. Present time-saved metrics aggregated per preset and per user segment. This feature highlights efficiency improvements and supports ROI analysis.

Acceptance Criteria
Comparing Manual and Preset Filtering Times
Given a dataset with recorded manual filtering times and a user segment, when the user applies a filter preset, then the system calculates time saved by subtracting preset application time from the average manual filtering time and displays the result for that segment.
Aggregated Time-Saved Metrics Per Preset
Given multiple users apply the same filter preset over a defined period, when the system aggregates usage data, then it reports both total and average time saved per preset with an accuracy of ±1 second.
User Segment Time-Saved Dashboard
Given defined user segments (e.g., store managers, service reps), when viewing the insight metrics dashboard, then the dashboard displays time saved metrics broken down by segment for each filter preset.
Data Consistency Under High Load
Given concurrent filter preset usage by 1000 users, when the system records time metrics, then all time saved computations are processed within 5 seconds and remain within a 2% error margin.
ROI Analysis Export
Given computed time-saved metrics available in the dashboard, when a manager exports the ROI analysis report, then the exported file includes total and average time saved per preset and per user segment, matching the on-screen values exactly.
Filter Popularity Ranking
"As a template curator, I want to see the most popular filter presets ranked so that I can maintain and promote the best-performing templates."
Description

Develop a ranking feature that orders filter presets by usage metrics, displaying the top N presets overall and by user segment. Include metrics such as total applications, unique users, and growth rate. Integrate this ranking into the dashboard library UI to guide template curation.

Acceptance Criteria
Overall Filter Preset Popularity Ranking Display
Given the dashboard library page is loaded When the system retrieves usage data for all filter presets over the past 30 days Then the UI displays the top 5 filter presets sorted by descending total application count.
User Segment Filter Preset Ranking
Given a user within the 'Retail' segment is logged in When the user navigates to the personalized dashboard library Then the system displays the top 5 presets for the 'Retail' segment sorted by unique user count.
Growth Rate Computation for Filter Presets
Given filter usage data is available for the current and previous week When the system calculates growth rates Then each preset shows a growth rate percentage sorted and highlighted when positive.
Configurable Top N Filter Ranking
Given an admin configures the 'Top N' value via settings When the dashboard library is displayed Then the UI respects the configured N and shows exactly N presets in the ranking.
Dashboard Library UI Integration for Filter Rankings
Given the filter popularity ranking data is available When the dashboard library UI loads Then the ranking widget displays without affecting load performance and matches design mockups.
Historical Trends Visualization
"As a small-business manager, I want to visualize how filter preset usage changes over time so that I can identify seasonal patterns and evolving needs."
Description

Provide interactive charts that show usage and performance trends of filter presets over customizable time periods. Support line charts, bar charts, and heatmaps for metrics like usage count, time saved, and active users. Ensure visualizations are responsive and filterable by date range, user segment, and preset type.

Acceptance Criteria
Usage Count Line Chart Rendering
Given the manager selects 'Usage Count' and a 30-day range, when loading the visualization, then the line chart displays daily usage counts with correctly labeled axes, legend, and interactive tooltips.
Time Saved Bar Chart Interaction
Given the manager selects 'Time Saved' and a weekly view, when generating the chart, then the bar chart displays aggregated time saved per week with sorted legend entries and tooltips showing hours and minutes.
Active Users Heatmap Filterability
Given the manager chooses 'Active Users' segmented by user role, when rendering the heatmap, then the heatmap shows color-coded intensity for each day and role with a consistent color scale and interactive tooltips.
Responsive Visualization on Multiple Devices
Given the manager views the dashboard on desktop, tablet, and mobile, when resizing the browser window, then all visualizations adjust layout, fonts, and controls without horizontal scrolling or data truncation.
Date Range and User Segment Filtering
Given the manager applies date range, user segment, and preset type filters, when refreshing the visualization, then charts update to reflect only the filtered data within 2 seconds and retain filter selections across navigation.
Exportable Metrics Reports
"As a stakeholder, I want to export filter preset metrics reports so that I can share insights with my team and include them in management meetings."
Description

Enable exporting of filter preset metrics as CSV and PDF reports. Include options to select data ranges, metrics, and presets. Ensure reports are formatted for presentation, with headers, charts, and summary statistics. Integrate export functionality within the metrics dashboard and allow scheduled email delivery.

Acceptance Criteria
Date Range Selection Scenario
Given the metrics dashboard is open, when the manager selects a custom date range and clicks the export button for CSV or PDF, then the exported report contains data exclusively within the specified date range.
Preset and Metrics Selection Scenario
Given the metrics dashboard is open, when the manager chooses specific filter presets and metrics and initiates export, then the resulting report includes only the selected presets and metrics.
CSV Format Validation Scenario
When a CSV export is generated, then the CSV file adheres to RFC 4180 standards, includes a header row for each column, and accurately reflects the selected data without formatting errors.
PDF Report Presentation Scenario
When a PDF export is initiated, then the PDF report includes a clear title header with company name and date range, embeds charts for each selected metric, displays summary statistics, and is formatted for A4 portrait presentation.
Scheduled Email Delivery Scenario
Given a scheduled export is configured with specific presets, metrics, date range, and frequency, when the scheduled time arrives, then the system sends an email to the manager with both CSV and PDF report attachments containing the correct data.

Cross-Data Filters

Lets users create unified filter presets that span multiple data sources (e.g., sales and staffing), delivering holistic insights in one click and eliminating the need to switch between dashboards.

Requirements

Unified Filter Builder
"As a retail manager, I want to create a single filter that applies to both sales and staffing data so that I can view combined insights without toggling between dashboards."
Description

Provide a unified filter creation interface that allows users to select and combine filter criteria from multiple data sources (e.g., sales, staffing) into a single preset. This feature integrates into the existing drag-and-drop UI, enabling users to define parameters such as date ranges, categories, and metrics across sources. By eliminating the need to apply filters separately per dashboard, it streamlines workflow and ensures consistent, holistic insights with a single click.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Unified Filter Preset
Given a user on the Unified Filter Builder screen When they select at least two data sources and define date range, categories, and metrics Then they can name and save the preset and it appears in the Filter Presets list
Applying Unified Filters to Multiple Dashboards
Given a saved filter preset When the user clicks Apply on any dashboard Then all linked dashboards update simultaneously to reflect the preset’s criteria without requiring additional manual filters
Editing an Existing Unified Filter Preset
Given a user viewing their saved presets When they select Edit on a preset and change one or more filter parameters Then they can save updates and subsequent Apply actions use the modified criteria
Handling Data Source Schema Changes
Given a data source field used in a preset is renamed or removed When the user opens the affected preset Then the system flags the missing field, prompts remapping to an existing field, and prevents saving until resolution
Saving and Sharing Unified Filter Presets
Given a user has saved a filter preset When they choose Share and select team members or generate a shareable link Then recipients see the preset in their Filter Presets list and can apply it with no errors
Real-Time Data Sync
"As a manager, I want to see up-to-date combined insights when I adjust filters so that my decisions are based on current data."
Description

Ensure that any cross-data filter preset applies against the latest available data across all connected sources in real time or near real time. The system should automatically refresh dashboard widgets when filters change and surface any delays or sync issues to the user. This guarantees that users always see current, accurate insights when applying unified filters.

Acceptance Criteria
Applying Filter Preset
Given a user selects a cross-data filter preset, when the preset is applied, then all dashboard widgets refresh within 2 seconds displaying data with a timestamp no older than 5 seconds across every connected source.
Detecting Data Source Update
Given new records arrive in any connected data source while a filter preset is active, when the dashboard auto-sync runs, then the widgets update to include the new data within 5 seconds of arrival.
User Notification on Sync Issues
Given the system detects a data sync delay exceeding 10 seconds for any source, when a user applies a filter or views the dashboard, then a visible warning message indicates which source is delayed and the duration of the delay.
Dashboard Widget Auto-Refresh
Given a user adjusts filter parameters, when the adjustment is confirmed, then all affected widgets refresh automatically without manual intervention within 3 seconds.
Handling High-Latency Sources
Given one or more data sources experience latency over 15 seconds, when the dashboard loads or updates, then an inline status indicator appears on the corresponding widgets showing the exact latency in seconds.
Filter Preset Management
"As a service manager, I want to save frequently used cross-data filters so that I can quickly apply them in future sessions without rebuilding them."
Description

Allow users to create, save, rename, delete, and organize cross-data filter presets within their account. Presets should be listed in a centralized library with options to search, categorize, and set a default. This management system supports reuse, reduces setup time, and enhances collaboration by enabling consistent use of standardized filters across teams.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Filter Preset
Given a user has defined filter criteria across multiple data sources; When the user clicks “Save Preset” and provides a unique name; Then the preset is saved, appears in the preset library list, and the filters are applied immediately.
Renaming an Existing Filter Preset
Given a user selects an existing preset from the library; When the user chooses “Rename” and enters a new, unused name; Then the preset’s name updates in the library and remains functional for future use.
Deleting a Filter Preset
Given a user identifies an unwanted preset in the library; When the user confirms deletion; Then the preset is removed from the library, and it no longer appears in search or default lists.
Setting a Default Filter Preset
Given multiple presets exist in the library; When the user selects “Set as Default” on a preset; Then this preset is marked as default, highlighted accordingly, and automatically applied to new dashboards by default.
Searching for a Filter Preset
Given the library contains multiple presets; When the user enters a keyword in the search bar; Then the list dynamically filters to display only presets matching the keyword in name or category.
Categorizing Filter Presets
Given presets need organization; When the user assigns a category tag to a preset or selects from existing tags; Then the preset displays under that category, and users can filter the library by category.
Access Control & Sharing
"As a team lead, I want to share my cross-data filter presets with colleagues so that we maintain consistent reporting standards."
Description

Implement permission-based sharing for filter presets and dashboards. Users can share presets with individuals or groups, granting view or edit rights based on roles. Integrate with the organization’s existing user management to ensure secure collaboration and maintain audit trails of changes to shared presets.

Acceptance Criteria
Sharing Filter Preset with Individual User
Given an admin user has created a filter preset and selects a single user to share it with view-only permissions When the selected user opens the Cross-Data Filters panel and navigates to Shared Presets Then the shared preset appears in the list and can be applied but cannot be modified
Granting Edit Rights to Group
Given a user with content ownership shares a filter preset with a defined user group and grants edit permissions When any member of the group applies and modifies the shared filter preset Then the edits are saved to the shared preset for all group members and version history is updated
Revoking Sharing Permissions
Given a filter preset has been previously shared with user or group When the owner revokes view or edit permissions for that user or group Then the revoked user or group no longer sees the preset in their Shared Presets list and access is denied
Audit Trail Logging Changes to Shared Presets
Given any share, edit, or revoke action is performed on a filter preset When the action completes successfully Then an audit entry is recorded capturing the actor’s user ID, action type (share, edit, revoke), timestamp, target preset ID, and permission level change
Role-Based Access Enforcement
Given the organization’s user management roles (admin, manager, staff) are synchronized with Dashflow When a user with a role lacking share permissions attempts to share or modify a preset Then the system displays an authorization error and prevents the action
Conflict Resolution & Validation
"As a user, I want the system to notify me if selected filters conflict so that I can adjust them and get accurate results."
Description

Provide real-time validation for filter criteria to detect and resolve conflicts or unsupported combinations across data sources (e.g., incompatible date ranges or metrics). Offer clear UI feedback, highlighting problematic selections and suggesting alternative values or presets to ensure accurate results.

Acceptance Criteria
Incompatible Date Range Selection
Given a user selects a start date later than the end date across two data sources When the filter is applied Then the system prevents query execution, highlights both date fields in red, and displays an error message indicating the date conflict
Conflicting Metric Filters
Given a user applies a sales metric to one data source and a staffing metric to another that cannot be combined When the user attempts to apply the filters Then the Apply button is disabled and a tooltip explains “Selected metrics cannot be combined”
Immediate Validation Feedback
Given a user adjusts any filter parameter When the adjustment resolves a previous conflict Then the system clears all error indicators immediately and re-enables the Apply button
Alternate Filter Recommendations
Given a user selects conflicting filters that cannot be resolved automatically When the error message is displayed Then the UI presents at least two alternative preset filter combinations for the user to choose
Validation State Persistence
Given a user corrects a filter conflict When navigating away from and returning to the Cross-Data Filters panel in the same session Then the corrected, valid filters and cleared error state are persisted and no error messages reappear
Performance Optimization
"As a user, I expect filter changes to apply quickly without lag so that my workflow remains smooth and uninterrupted."
Description

Optimize backend query processing and caching strategies to handle multi-source filter requests efficiently. Implement techniques such as query batching, intelligent indexing, and in-memory caches to minimize response times and ensure smooth application of cross-data filters even on large datasets.

Acceptance Criteria
Large Multi-Source Filter Execution
Response time for executing cross-data filters on combined sales and staffing datasets exceeding 1,000,000 records is under 2 seconds; CPU utilization remains below 80%; repeated requests utilize cached results.
Concurrent User Filter Requests
System handles 50 simultaneous cross-data filter requests with an average response time below 3 seconds and error rate no greater than 0%.
Cache Hit Performance
Cache hit rate for repeated filter presets within a 10-minute window is at least 90%; subsequent responses are served in under 500 milliseconds.
Intelligent Indexing Benefit
Upon creating a filter on an unindexed field, index builds complete within 60 seconds; subsequent query execution time for that filter improves by at least 50%.
Cache Invalidation Consistency
Cache invalidation for updated underlying data occurs within 30 seconds; validation queries after data change return updated results with no stale data.

Narrative Highlights

Automatically generates concise, bullet-style summaries beneath each chart, pinpointing the most significant trend shifts and data patterns so users can quickly understand key insights without manual interpretation.

Requirements

Trend Detection Algorithm
"As a retail manager, I want the dashboard to automatically highlight the most significant data shifts so that I can quickly understand key performance changes without manual analysis."
Description

The system must implement an advanced trend detection algorithm that analyzes incoming chart data using statistical methods to identify the top three most significant upward or downward shifts within the selected time frame. It should process multiple data series, detect anomalies and inflection points, filter out noise, and output a ranked list of trends. This integration enhances insights by automating the detection process and seamlessly feeding results into the narrative generator to inform bullet-style summaries.

Acceptance Criteria
Identifying Top Three Trend Shifts
Given chart data with multiple series and a selected time frame, when the trend detection algorithm executes, then it must return exactly three trend shifts sorted by magnitude of change, each with start date, end date, direction (upward/downward), and percentage change.
Filtering Noise from Data Series
Given a data series containing random fluctuations up to 5% variance, when processed, then the algorithm must filter out noise below the 3-sigma threshold, ensuring that only statistically significant shifts are considered as trends.
Detecting Anomalies and Inflection Points
Given a time series with known anomalies, when the algorithm analyzes the data, then it must identify inflection points where the Z-score exceeds 2.5 and flag these as potential trend change moments.
Ranking Trends by Significance
Given a list of detected trends, when preparing the output, then the algorithm must assign each trend a significance score based on statistical confidence and rank the trends in descending order of their significance score.
Integrating Trend Output with Narrative Generator
Given the ranked list of top three trends and their metadata, when feeding into the narrative generator, then the system must produce bullet-style summaries that include direction, magnitude, time frame, and anomaly flags within 2 seconds of algorithm completion.
Narrative Generation Engine
"As a small-business owner, I want the system to produce easy-to-read summaries under each chart so that I can grasp insights quickly without interpreting raw data."
Description

Develop a narrative generation engine that consumes identified trends and automatically crafts concise bullet-style summaries. It must use natural language processing templates to transform data insights into clear, readable sentences, enforce a length limit of three to five points per chart, and ensure grammatical correctness. It integrates with the trend detection output and dashboard UI, streamlining insights delivery.

Acceptance Criteria
Generating Summaries for Newly Added Chart
Given a new chart is added to the dashboard with detected trends When the narrative engine is triggered Then it generates 3 to 5 bullet-style summaries under the chart that accurately describe each trend; each summary includes at least one quantitative data point; and the summaries appear within 2 seconds of chart rendering.
Updating Summaries After Data Refresh
Given the underlying data for a chart is refreshed When the trend detection output changes Then the narrative engine updates the bullet summaries to reflect the latest trends; it removes or adds bullet points to maintain between 3 and 5 items; and no outdated summaries remain displayed.
Enforcing Summary Length Limit
Rule: The engine must output no fewer than 3 and no more than 5 bullet points per chart; each bullet must be under 15 words; and the total character count for all bullets must not exceed 300 characters.
Integrating with Trend Detection Output
Given trend detection output is provided to the narrative engine When processing trend data objects Then the engine maps each significant trend to a bullet point; it ignores any trends below the configured significance threshold; and each summary bullet references the trend name and its magnitude.
Ensuring Grammatical Correctness
Given the narrative engine generates bullet summaries When the output is rendered Then all summaries are grammatically correct with proper punctuation; contain no spelling errors; and follow a consistent tense and style guideline.
Chart Integration Module
"As a marketing coordinator, I want summaries to appear directly under each chart so that I don’t have to navigate away to see insights."
Description

Seamlessly embed generated narratives beneath each corresponding chart in the dashboard interface. Monitor chart rendering events, fetch the relevant summary via API calls, and dynamically inject bullet lists with appropriate styling. The integration ensures consistent alignment, responsive behavior across devices, and unified user experience within the Drag-and-Drop dashboard environment.

Acceptance Criteria
Chart Rendering Triggers Narrative Fetch
Given a chart finishes rendering in the dashboard interface When the module detects the rendering completion event Then it must call the narrative-summary API with the correct chart identifier within 100ms And receive a valid summary payload
API Error Handling for Narrative Fetch
Given the narrative-summary API returns an error code or fails to respond within 2 seconds When the module attempts to fetch the summary Then a placeholder message (“Summary unavailable”) must be displayed beneath the chart And an error log entry must be created for diagnostics
Responsive Behavior on Mobile Devices
Given the dashboard is viewed on a mobile device with screen width under 600px When narratives are injected beneath charts Then each bullet-style list must wrap text appropriately without horizontal scrolling And maintain at least 16px touch target spacing
Styling Consistency Across Themes
Given the user switches between light and dark themes When narratives are rendered beneath charts Then the bullet list text and background must adapt to the theme styles And match the dashboard’s typography, color, and spacing guidelines
Dynamic Update on Chart Data Refresh
Given the chart’s underlying data is refreshed via drag-and-drop interaction When the chart re-renders with new data Then the old narrative must be cleared and a new summary fetched and displayed And the transition must complete within 300ms without layout shift
User Customization Settings
"As a data analyst, I want to configure how detailed and frequent the summaries are so that they align with my reporting needs."
Description

Introduce a customization settings panel allowing users to adjust narrative parameters, including maximum number of bullets, sensitivity threshold for trend detection, tone (e.g., formal or casual), and refresh frequency. Settings must persist per user account, provide default recommended values, and update live dashboards upon change. This flexibility ensures narratives match individual preferences and business contexts.

Acceptance Criteria
Maximum Bullets Adjustment
Given the user opens the customization panel, When they set the maximum number of bullets to N within the allowed range (1-10), Then each chart narrative displays no more than N bullet points.
Trend Sensitivity Threshold
Given the user selects a sensitivity threshold percentage, When the threshold is saved, Then the system highlights trend shifts only if they exceed the chosen percentage in subsequent narratives.
Narrative Tone Selection
Given the user chooses a narrative tone (formal or casual), When the setting is applied, Then all new chart summaries use the selected tone style.
Refresh Frequency Update
Given the user sets a refresh frequency interval (e.g., every 5 minutes), When the interval is saved, Then the dashboard narratives automatically update at the specified frequency without manual refresh.
Default Settings Application
Given a new user account is created, When the user first accesses the narrative settings, Then default recommended values are pre-populated for bullets, sensitivity, tone, and refresh frequency.
Settings Persistence Across Sessions
Given the user saves customization settings, When they log out and log back in on any device, Then the previously saved settings are applied and reflected in the narrative generation.
Real-time Update Pipeline
"As a store manager, I want the summaries to update automatically when new sales data arrives so that I always view the latest insights."
Description

Build a real-time update pipeline that triggers narrative regeneration when underlying data changes beyond configured thresholds. It should listen to data source events, re-run trend detection and narrative generation, and update summaries without full page reload. Guarantees users see fresh insights immediately after data refresh or real-time ingestion.

Acceptance Criteria
High-Volume Data Ingestion Trigger
Given a data ingestion event that updates more records than the configured threshold, when the event is received by the pipeline, then a narrative regeneration job is enqueued within 500 milliseconds and logged in the audit trail.
Threshold-Based Narrative Regeneration
Given underlying chart data changes by more than 5% since the last summary, when the pipeline processes the change, then trend detection and narrative generation are executed for all affected charts.
Seamless UI Update Without Page Reload
Given a completed narrative regeneration job, when the new summary is available, then the UI automatically replaces the old narrative under the chart without a full page reload within 1 second.
Minimal Latency Delivery of Updated Narratives
Given ongoing real-time data ingestion, when data changes exceed thresholds, then 95% of regenerated narratives are delivered to the user's browser within 3 seconds of the triggering event.
Failure Handling and Retry Mechanism
Given any failure during narrative regeneration, when an error occurs, then the system retries the regeneration up to two times and sends an alert to the operations dashboard if all retries fail.
Localization Support
"As a French shop owner, I want the summaries in French with local date and number formats so that I can understand insights effortlessly."
Description

Implement localization capabilities for narrative highlights, supporting multiple languages and regional formats. The system must adapt bullet wording, numeric formats, date expressions, and tone to the user’s locale settings. It should integrate with translation services or maintain localized templates to ensure clarity and cultural appropriateness across different markets.

Acceptance Criteria
Ready-to-Use English Narrative Highlights
Given the user's locale is set to en-US When narrative highlights are generated for a chart Then bullet summaries are displayed in English, dates formatted as MM/DD/YYYY, and numbers formatted with commas as thousand separators and a period as a decimal separator
French Localization for Narrative Highlights
Given the user's locale is set to fr-FR When narrative highlights are generated for a chart Then bullet summaries are displayed in French, dates formatted as DD/MM/YYYY, numbers formatted with a space as a thousand separator and a comma as a decimal separator, and accented characters correctly rendered
German Date and Number Formatting
Given the user's locale is set to de-DE When narrative highlights are generated for a chart Then bullet summaries are displayed in German, dates formatted as DD.MM.YYYY, and numbers formatted with a period as a thousand separator and a comma as a decimal separator
Japanese Tone and Cultural Nuance Adaptation
Given the user's locale is set to ja-JP When narrative highlights are generated for a chart Then bullet summaries are displayed in Japanese using an appropriate business tone, dates formatted as YYYY/MM/DD, numbers formatted without thousand separators and a dot as a decimal separator, and expressions localized for Japanese cultural context
Fallback Mechanism for Missing Translations
Given the user's locale is set to es-ES and translation keys are unavailable When narrative highlights are generated for a chart Then the system falls back to the default en-US locale for missing text, logs each missing translation key, and displays a notification indicating incomplete localization

Anomaly Lens

Detects outliers and unexpected deviations in the data, then produces contextual explanations that describe why these anomalies occurred and their potential business impact, enabling faster root-cause analysis.

Requirements

Real-time Anomaly Detection Engine
"As a small-business manager, I want the system to automatically detect anomalies in my metrics instantly so that I can address issues before they escalate."
Description

Detect outliers and unexpected deviations in data streams continuously with minimal delay. Integrate with existing data ingestion pipelines to monitor metrics in real time, automatically identifying statistical anomalies using adaptive algorithms. Provide configurable sensitivity to balance false positives and ensure timely detection of critical deviations. This engine will serve as the core of Anomaly Lens, enabling instant alerts and proactive business intelligence.

Acceptance Criteria
Continuous Data Stream Monitoring
Given a continuous data stream, when new data points arrive, then the engine processes them within 2 seconds and updates anomaly status in real time; Given normal data patterns, when no anomalies are detected, then the engine remains idle without generating false positives more than 1% of the time.
Configurable Sensitivity Adjustment
Given a sensitivity threshold is configured by the user, when the threshold is set to high sensitivity, then the engine achieves a true positive rate of at least 95%; Given the threshold is set to lower sensitivity, when minor fluctuations occur, then false positives are reduced to 2% or less.
Integration with Data Ingestion Pipeline
Given the engine is connected to the existing ingestion pipeline, when a new data source is added, then the engine auto-discovers the source and begins monitoring within 1 minute; Given pipeline failure, when data ingestion halts, then the engine logs an error and sends a failure alert to the monitoring dashboard.
Real-time Alerts Delivery
Given an anomaly is detected, when the engine flags a critical deviation, then an alert is sent to configured notification channels (email, SMS, webhook) within 5 seconds; Given alert delivery failure, when a notification cannot be delivered, then the engine retries up to 3 times and logs the failure.
Low-Latency Detection under Load
Given the system is under peak load (100,000 events per minute), when events are processed, then the anomaly detection latency remains under 3 seconds for 99% of events; Given high-throughput bursts, when 10,000 events arrive in 10 seconds, then detection continues without backlog exceeding 1 minute.
Contextual Explanation Generator
"As a retail store manager, I want clear explanations for detected anomalies so that I can quickly understand their causes and take appropriate action."
Description

Use natural language processing and data correlation techniques to produce clear, context-rich explanations for each detected anomaly. Analyze related metrics, trends, and historical data to identify potential root causes and business impacts. Present the explanations alongside each anomaly to help users understand why deviations occurred without manual investigation, accelerating decision-making.

Acceptance Criteria
Anomaly Explanation Generation for Sales Drop
Given a detected sales anomaly in the dashboard When a user clicks on the anomaly marker Then the system generates a clear, context-rich explanation detailing the magnitude of the drop, related promotional or seasonal factors, and projected revenue impact
Contextual Insight for Traffic Spike
Given an unexpected spike in website traffic When the user views the anomaly details Then the system provides a natural language explanation identifying potential sources of traffic (e.g., marketing campaigns, social media mentions) and correlates them with conversion rate changes
Historical Comparison for Inventory Irregularity
Given an inventory level anomaly When the user requests an explanation Then the system analyzes historical stock levels, supplier delivery dates, and sales velocity, and returns a concise narrative highlighting deviations from typical patterns and possible root causes
Correlation Analysis for Revenue Fluctuation
Given a revenue fluctuation anomaly When the user reviews the anomaly report Then the system correlates related metrics (e.g., average order value, customer acquisition cost) and produces an explanation outlining which correlated metric shifts likely drove the revenue change
Business Impact Summary Display
Given any detected anomaly When the explanation is generated Then the system includes a summary of potential business impacts (e.g., profit loss, operational risk), ensuring the explanation empowers decision-making without additional data exploration
Customizable Anomaly Thresholds
"As a service operations manager, I want to customize anomaly sensitivity settings so that I can reduce false alerts and focus on the most significant deviations."
Description

Allow users to define and adjust thresholds and sensitivity levels for anomaly detection per metric or dashboard. Offer preset profiles (e.g., conservative, balanced, aggressive) and advanced settings like rolling baseline or percentile-based thresholds. Store user preferences and apply them consistently to ensure personalized and accurate anomaly detection aligned with business priorities.

Acceptance Criteria
Selecting a Preset Anomaly Threshold Profile
Given the user is on the anomaly threshold settings page for a specific metric; When the user selects the 'Aggressive' preset profile; Then the system updates the upper and lower threshold values to ±1.5 standard deviations from the baseline and displays the updated values in the UI.
Defining a Custom Percentile-Based Threshold
Given the user chooses 'Percentile-Based' threshold type; When the user inputs a 95th percentile value and saves; Then the system applies the threshold at the 95th and 5th percentiles of the selected data range and alerts are triggered for data points outside these bounds.
Configuring Rolling Baseline Thresholds
Given the user enables 'Rolling Baseline' with a 7-day window and sensitivity factor of 2; When the configuration is saved; Then anomalies are detected based on deviations beyond 2 times the rolling average of the past 7 days and reflected on the dashboard.
Persisting Threshold Preferences Across Dashboards
Given the user customizes and saves threshold settings for multiple metrics; When the user reloads the dashboard or accesses other dashboards; Then the saved preferences are automatically applied to all relevant metrics without requiring reconfiguration.
Real-Time Sensitivity Profile Switching
Given the user switches between 'Conservative', 'Balanced', and 'Aggressive' profiles in the dashboard view; When a new profile is selected; Then the anomaly detection recalculates in real-time and updates highlighted anomalies without a full page refresh.
Visual Anomaly Highlighting
"As a business analyst, I want anomalies highlighted on my charts so that I can instantly spot unusual patterns while reviewing dashboards."
Description

Enhance interactive dashboards by visually marking detected anomalies directly on charts and tables. Use color-coding, icons, or overlays to draw attention to outliers, with hover tooltips showing summary details. Ensure seamless integration with existing drag-and-drop interface so that users immediately see where and when anomalies occur without navigating away from their dashboards.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Data Point Anomaly Highlight
Given a dashboard containing a chart with a single detected anomaly When the user views the chart Then the anomaly data point is marked with a red circular overlay and is visually distinct from other data points
Multiple Anomalies Distinctive Marking
Given a time-series chart with multiple detected anomalies When the user views the chart Then each anomaly is marked with a unique color and icon, ensuring they are individually distinguishable
Anomaly Indicators in Data Table
Given a data table listing records with anomaly scores When the table is displayed Then rows flagged as anomalies include a colored icon in an anomaly column and the row background is subtly shaded
Anomaly Tooltip Details on Hover
Given anomalies are highlighted on charts and tables When the user hovers over an anomaly marker Then a tooltip appears showing the anomaly’s summary details including deviation percentage, timestamp, and possible cause
Automatic Highlighting on Drag-and-Drop Addition
Given the visual anomaly highlighting feature is enabled When the user adds or updates a chart or table via drag-and-drop Then any detected anomalies are automatically highlighted with the configured visual markers without additional user action
Exportable Anomaly Reports
"As an operations director, I want to export anomaly reports so that I can share insights with my team and stakeholders efficiently."
Description

Provide the ability to generate and export comprehensive anomaly reports in multiple formats (PDF, CSV, presentation slides). Include summary statistics, detailed explanations, and visual highlights for each anomaly detected within a chosen time frame. Enable scheduled or on-demand report generation and sharing via email or collaboration platforms to support stakeholder communication and record-keeping.

Acceptance Criteria
On-Demand PDF Report Generation
Given a selected time frame and anomalies, When the user clicks 'Export as PDF', Then the system generates a PDF containing summary statistics, detailed anomaly explanations, and visual highlights, and the file is downloaded automatically within 30 seconds.
Scheduled CSV Report Delivery
Given a configured report schedule and recipient email list, When the scheduled time occurs, Then a CSV report with anomaly details and summary statistics is generated and emailed to all recipients within five minutes.
Presentation Slides Export
Given anomaly detection results for a chosen period, When the user selects 'Export to Slides', Then a .pptx file is created with one slide per anomaly including title, descriptive explanation, relevant charts, and summary, and is available for download.
Email Sharing Integration
Given a generated anomaly report in any supported format, When the user opts to 'Share via Email', Then a new email draft opens with the report attached, prefilled recipients, subject, and body template, allowing edits and successful sending.
Collaboration Platform Sharing
Given a generated anomaly report, When the user selects 'Share to Collaboration Platform' and chooses a connected workspace (e.g., Slack or Teams), Then the report link and summary are posted to the selected channel and a confirmation message is displayed.

Action Prompts

Couples generated narratives with tailored next-step recommendations—such as adjusting inventory levels or reallocating marketing spend—turning insights into immediate, data-driven actions for non-technical users.

Requirements

Data-Driven Action Recommendations
"As a small-business manager, I want to receive action prompts based on my dashboard data so that I can quickly implement strategic changes without deep analysis."
Description

Automatically generate tailored next-step recommendations by analyzing key business metrics and narrative insights, enabling users to take immediate, data-driven actions without manual analysis. This integrates seamlessly with the existing dashboard interface, surfacing prompts alongside visualizations to drive decision-making and operational adjustments.

Acceptance Criteria
Low Inventory Recommendation Prompt
Given a product’s inventory level falls below the predefined threshold When the user views the product inventory chart Then the system displays a “Reorder Inventory” prompt adjacent to the chart with a suggested reorder quantity based on the past 30 days of sales data
Underperforming Product Alert Recommendation
Given a product’s weekly sales decline by more than 20% compared to the previous week When the dashboard is refreshed Then the system surfaces a recommendation to run a promotion or adjust pricing for that product and displays the supporting sales trend analysis
High ROI Marketing Recommendation
Given a marketing channel’s ROI exceeds 150% and its allocated budget is less than 80% utilized When the user opens the marketing performance dashboard Then the system generates a prompt recommending additional budget allocation to that channel and projects potential revenue uplift
Customer Churn Prevention Recommendation
Given a customer segment shows a 15% month‐over‐month drop in purchase frequency When the user views the customer segmentation dashboard Then the system displays a recommendation to implement targeted retention strategies (e.g., personalized discounts) and estimates retention impact
Recommendation Prompt Integration
Given any action recommendation is generated When the user clicks on the recommendation prompt Then the prompt’s action buttons navigate directly to the relevant dashboard filter or external execution interface without additional manual steps
Real-Time Prompt Updates
"As a store owner monitoring sales, I want prompts to update in real time as new transactions occur so that my actions reflect the most current information."
Description

Continuously refresh action prompts in response to live data changes, ensuring recommendations are always aligned with the latest business performance. This functionality leverages the real-time data sync layer to recalculate narratives and actions instantly, minimizing latency and maximizing relevance.

Acceptance Criteria
Sales Surge Notification
Given a sales increase of more than 20% over the previous hour, when the real-time data sync layer detects this change, then the system displays an updated action prompt within 2 seconds recommending reordering top-selling items.
Inventory Threshold Breach
Given an item's stock level falls below the predefined threshold, when the live data sync updates the inventory data, then the action prompt suggesting an appropriate reorder quantity appears on the dashboard within 3 seconds.
Marketing Campaign Performance Update
Given a marketing campaign's click-through rate drops by more than 10% in the last 15 minutes, when new campaign metrics are synced, then the action prompt recommending reallocating budget to higher-performing channels is refreshed within 2 seconds.
End-of-Day Profit Analysis
Given end-of-day financial metrics are synced at 11:59 PM, when the dashboard updates, then the action prompt summarizing profit changes and recommending pricing adjustments is generated by 12:00 AM.
Custom Dashboard Filter Change
Given a user applies a new date range filter, when the filter is applied, then the action prompt updates within 1 second to reflect recommendations based on the selected time period.
Customizable Prompt Templates
"As a marketing manager, I want to customize action prompt templates so that recommendations align with my campaign strategies and communication style."
Description

Allow users to define, edit, and save custom templates for action prompts, tailoring recommendations to specific business contexts or workflows. Templates include rules for thresholds, messaging style, and suggested actions, which can be applied across different dashboards for consistency and efficiency.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Prompt Template
Given an authenticated user is on the ‘Create Template’ screen, When the user enters a template name, threshold rules, messaging style, and suggested actions, And clicks 'Save', Then the system saves the template and displays a confirmation message, And the new template appears in the template list.
Editing an Existing Prompt Template
Given a user selects an existing template from the template library, When the user modifies threshold rules or messaging style and clicks 'Update', Then the system updates the template, displays a success notification, And the changes are reflected when previewing the template.
Applying a Template to a Dashboard
Given a user views a dashboard, When the user selects a custom template from the 'Action Prompts' settings, Then the dashboard applies the template’s rules and displays tailored action prompts according to the defined thresholds and messaging style.
Saving and Loading Custom Templates
Given a user has created multiple custom templates, When the user refreshes the page or logs back in, Then all previously saved templates are loaded in the template library, And the user can select and apply them without data loss.
Validating Threshold Rules in Templates
Given a user defines threshold rules that overlap or conflict, When the user tries to save the template, Then the system validates the rules, displays an error message describing the conflict, And prevents saving until the rules are corrected.
Multi-Channel Prompt Delivery
"As a service business owner, I want to receive action prompts via email and mobile notifications so that I don’t miss critical insights when away from the dashboard."
Description

Deliver action prompts through multiple channels such as email, in-app notifications, and mobile push notifications, ensuring users receive timely guidance wherever they work. This feature integrates with notification settings, allowing users to opt in or out of specific channels and schedule delivery windows.

Acceptance Criteria
Email Notifications Delivery Within Scheduled Window
Given a user has enabled email notifications and configured a delivery window, when an action prompt is generated within the window, then the system sends the prompt via email immediately; when generated outside the window, then the system queues the email and delivers it at the next window start.
Push Notifications Respect User Opt-Out
Given a user has disabled mobile push notifications, when an action prompt is generated, then no push notification is sent to the user’s mobile device.
In-App Notification Appears During Active Session
Given a user is actively logged into Dashflow, when an action prompt is generated, then an in-app notification appears in the notification center within five seconds, displaying the prompt title and summary.
Scheduled Delivery for Push Notifications
Given a user sets a delivery window for mobile push notifications, when an action prompt is generated outside that window, then the prompt is queued and delivered automatically at the next window start.
Persistence of Notification Channel Preferences
Given a user updates their notification channel preferences, when the user saves the settings, then the new preferences are persisted and used for all subsequent action prompt deliveries across channels.
Feedback-Driven Prompt Refinement
"As a retailer, I want to rate the usefulness of action prompts so that the system learns my preferences and delivers more relevant recommendations over time."
Description

Embed feedback mechanisms within prompts, allowing users to rate recommendations and provide comments. The system aggregates this feedback to refine the prompt-generation algorithm and improve the relevance and accuracy of future suggestions.

Acceptance Criteria
Rating Prompt Recommendations
Given a user views a generated prompt recommendation, when they submit a star rating between 1 and 5, then the system records the rating and associates it with the specific recommendation instance.
Commenting on Recommendations
Given a user desires to elaborate on their rating, when they enter and submit textual feedback up to 500 characters, then the system stores the comment and links it to the corresponding recommendation and rating.
Aggregating Feedback Data
Given multiple users have submitted ratings and comments, when the feedback aggregation job runs, then the system computes average ratings per recommendation type and compiles sentiment analysis summaries for comments.
Triggering Model Refinement
Given aggregated feedback metrics meet predefined thresholds, when the scheduled algorithm update process initiates, then the system triggers a new prompt-generation model training job using the aggregated feedback data.
Validating Post-Refinement Recommendations
Given the prompt-generation model has been updated, when generating new recommendations, then the system produces recommendations with at least a 10% improvement in average user rating compared to pre-update metrics.

Tone Tailor

Allows users to select or customize the voice and style of the generated narrative—professional, conversational, or executive summary—so insights align with different audiences and reporting needs.

Requirements

Preset Tone Templates
"As a small-business manager, I want to choose a predefined tone template so that my dashboard narratives immediately align with the expectations of my stakeholders."
Description

Provide a built-in library of predefined narrative styles—Professional, Conversational, and Executive Summary—that users can easily select when generating insights. Each template offers tailored phrasing, structure, and vocabulary to suit different audiences and reporting contexts. Integration with the existing Tone Tailor interface ensures seamless selection and application of templates without additional configuration. This feature streamlines the narrative creation process, reduces manual editing, and ensures consistency across reports.

Acceptance Criteria
Professional Template Selection
Given the user opens the Tone Tailor dropdown and selects the "Professional" template, When the narrative is generated, Then the output uses formal phrasing, avoids contractions, and employs industry-standard vocabulary appropriate for business reports.
Conversational Template Selection
Given the user opens the Tone Tailor dropdown and selects the "Conversational" template, When the narrative is generated, Then the output uses informal language, includes conversational connectors, and adopts a friendly tone.
Executive Summary Template Selection
Given the user opens the Tone Tailor dropdown and selects the "Executive Summary" template, When the narrative is generated, Then the output provides a concise overview with key insights at the top, bullet-pointed action items, and high-level metrics.
Template Application Without Additional Configuration
Given the user switches between different preset templates in the Tone Tailor interface, When a new template is selected, Then the system immediately applies the chosen style to the narrative without requiring page reloads or extra configuration steps.
Consistent Template Persistence Across Sessions
Given the user selects a preset template and logs out, When the user logs back in and begins a new report, Then the previously chosen template remains selected by default until the user changes it.
Custom Tone Builder
"As a marketing lead, I want to define a custom tone that reflects our brand voice so that our reports consistently reinforce our company identity."
Description

Enable users to create and save custom tone profiles by configuring parameters such as formality, length, vocabulary complexity, and industry-specific jargon. The Custom Tone Builder provides interactive controls—sliders, toggles, and example text edits—to preview how changes impact the narrative. Saved custom tones integrate into the Tone Tailor dropdown, allowing users to apply them across multiple dashboards. This feature empowers users to fine-tune narratives for unique brand voices and specialized audiences.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Custom Tone Profile
Given a logged-in user on the Custom Tone Builder page When the user adjusts formality, length, vocabulary complexity, and jargon sliders Then the preview text updates in real time reflecting the selected parameters
Saving a Custom Tone Profile
Given a user has configured a custom tone When the user clicks “Save Tone” and provides a unique name Then the tone is persisted in the user’s tone library and appears in the Tone Tailor dropdown
Editing an Existing Custom Tone Profile
Given a user selects a saved custom tone from the library When the user modifies any parameter and saves the changes Then the existing tone is updated and the new configuration reflects in future previews
Applying Custom Tone to a Dashboard Narrative
Given a dashboard with generated insights When the user selects a saved custom tone from the Tone Tailor dropdown Then the narrative updates using the custom tone parameters and displays correctly
Deleting a Custom Tone Profile
Given a user views their custom tone list When the user selects “Delete” on a custom tone and confirms Then the tone is removed from the library and no longer appears in the Tone Tailor dropdown
Real-time Tone Preview
"As a report creator, I want to preview tone changes immediately so that I can quickly adjust settings and ensure the narrative sounds right before finalizing."
Description

Offer an in-context preview panel that updates instantly as users select or adjust tone settings. The Real-time Tone Preview displays sample sentences and summary paragraphs in the chosen style, highlighting differences in formality, phrasing, and length. Integration with the narrative editor ensures that users can see and refine tone adjustments before applying them to the full report. This immediate feedback accelerates decision-making and reduces back-and-forth edits.

Acceptance Criteria
Tone Selection Instant Update
Given a user selects a tone preset, when selection changes, the preview panel updates within 500ms displaying appropriate sample sentences in the new tone.
Editor Integration Live Preview
Given the user edits narrative text, when tone settings are adjusted, then the inline preview in the editor sidebar immediately reflects the changes with correct style formatting.
Style Difference Highlighting
Given two tone settings, when preview displays sample text, then the system highlights differences in formality, phrasing, and length using distinct visual cues.
Performance Under High Data Load
Given a large report loaded in the editor, when tone settings are modified, then the preview updates without visible lag (response time under 1s) for sample text regeneration.
Custom Tone Configuration Persistence
Given a user creates or customizes a tone style, when the user navigates away and returns, then the custom tone remains available and applied to new previews.
Tone Consistency Validation
"As a quality assurance officer, I want the system to flag inconsistent tone usage so that our narratives maintain a coherent style throughout."
Description

Implement automated checks that analyze generated narratives to detect inconsistencies in tone—such as shifts in formality or unexpected technical jargon—and suggest improvements. The system highlights problematic segments and offers recommendations to align with the selected tone profile. Integration with the editing workflow allows users to accept or ignore suggestions. This feature ensures uniformity and professionalism across all sections of a report.

Acceptance Criteria
Detecting Formality Shifts
Given a professional tone profile is selected, when the narrative contains colloquial phrases, then the system highlights each phrase and suggests formal alternatives.
Flagging Unexpected Technical Jargon
Given a conversational tone profile is selected, when the narrative includes terms outside the profile’s complexity threshold, then the system flags these terms and offers layman-friendly suggestions.
Highlighting Tone Inconsistency Across Sections
Given a multi-section report and a chosen tone profile, when any section deviates from the profile’s style metrics, then the system marks the section and prompts user review for tone alignment.
Accepting Suggestions in Editor Workflow
Given highlighted tone inconsistencies, when the user accepts a suggestion in the editing interface, then the narrative updates to the recommended phrasing and the highlight is removed.
Ignoring Suggestions Persistency
Given highlighted tone inconsistencies, when the user ignores a suggestion, then the system records the decision and does not re-highlight the same segment in subsequent analyses.
Tone Sharing and Collaboration
"As a team lead, I want to share our approved tone profiles with my colleagues so that everyone produces consistent, on-brand reports."
Description

Allow users to share custom tones and predefined templates with team members or across organizational units. Shared tone profiles can be published to a central repository, where administrators manage access and version control. Integration with user roles ensures proper permissions for creating, editing, and applying shared tones. This feature fosters collaboration and standardizes reporting styles across the organization.

Acceptance Criteria
Sharing Tone Profile to a Single User
Given a user has created a custom tone profile with valid metadata When the user selects 'Share' and inputs another registered team member's identifier Then the selected tone profile appears in the recipient's 'Shared Tones' list and the recipient receives a notification within 5 seconds
Publishing Tone Profiles to Central Repository
Given a user with administrator role When the user publishes a tone profile to the central repository Then the tone profile is visible to all users with 'view' access and includes version, author, and timestamp metadata
Version Control on Updated Tone Profiles
Given a shared tone profile in the central repository When an administrator updates the profile and submits changes Then the system creates a new version entry and retains the previous version for rollback, both accessible via the repository UI
Role-Based Permission Enforcement
Given different user roles (Administrator, Editor, Viewer) When attempting to create, edit, or apply shared tone profiles Then only users with appropriate permissions can perform the action and unauthorized attempts are blocked with an error message
Consuming Shared Tone Profiles
Given a user with 'apply' permission When the user opens a report configuration and selects a shared tone profile Then the report preview immediately reflects the selected tone’s style guidelines without errors

Story Sequencer

Links multiple charts into a cohesive, step-by-step storyline, weaving together cross-metric insights into a single narrative flow that guides users through complex analyses with ease.

Requirements

Chart Linking Logic
"As a small-business manager, I want to link related charts in a defined sequence so that I can guide my team through a logical narrative of key performance metrics."
Description

Implement logic that allows users to select multiple charts and link them in a specific order to form a narrative sequence. This includes establishing relationships between metrics, defining transition rules, and ensuring data consistency across the linked charts. The system should validate links, prevent circular references, and provide visual cues for connection status, enhancing the user’s ability to craft coherent, step-by-step analytic stories.

Acceptance Criteria
Basic Chart Linking by User Selection
Given the user has selected two or more charts in the Story Sequencer view When the user arranges the charts in a specific order Then the system links the charts in that order and displays them sequentially in the narrative flow
Transition Rule Validation
Given two charts with different metric scales When the user creates a link between them Then the system validates that the transition rule is supported and prompts the user if the metrics are incompatible
Circular Reference Prevention
Given an existing chain of linked charts When the user attempts to link a chart back to any chart earlier in the sequence Then the system blocks the link creation and displays an error message indicating circular references are not allowed
Visual Connection Cues Display
Given one or more charts are linked in the Story Sequencer When the user views the canvas Then the system displays clear visual indicators (lines, arrows, or color highlights) showing each active link status
Data Consistency Across Linked Charts
Given a narrative sequence of linked charts When the user applies a filter or time range to the first chart Then all subsequent linked charts automatically inherit and display data based on the same filter criteria
Narrative Builder Interface
"As a marketing director, I want a visual narrative builder where I can arrange charts in order and add annotations so that I can create presentations directly within Dashflow."
Description

Design and build a dedicated UI within Dashflow where users can drag and drop charts into a canvas to build their story sequence. This interface should include panels for available charts, sequencing controls, preview thumbnails, and inline editing of chart captions and transition descriptions. It should integrate seamlessly with the existing dashboard editor and maintain the platform’s intuitive drag-and-drop experience.

Acceptance Criteria
Add Chart to Narrative Canvas
Given the user has opened the Narrative Builder Interface and the Available Charts panel is visible, When the user drags a chart from the panel onto the canvas, Then the chart appears on the canvas at the drop location with a default caption and transition placeholder.
Reorder Charts in Sequence
Given multiple charts are placed on the canvas, When the user drags a chart’s thumbnail to a new position within the sequence panel, Then the sequence order updates correctly, the canvas reflects the new order, and the sequence numbering adjusts accordingly.
Preview Thumbnails in Sequencer Panel
Given charts have been added to the narrative, When the user views the sequence panel, Then each chart displays an accurate, up-to-date thumbnail reflecting its current styling and data state.
Inline Edit Chart Captions and Transitions
Given a chart caption or transition description is visible on the canvas, When the user clicks on the text, Then an inline text editor appears, accepts user input, and upon saving, updates the displayed caption or transition text without requiring a page refresh.
Seamless Integration with Dashboard Editor
Given the user is working within the main dashboard editor, When the user selects the Story Sequencer option, Then the Narrative Builder Interface loads with the available charts panel populated with current dashboard charts and preserves any unsaved story progress upon return.
Auto-Layout Optimization
"As an operations manager, I want Dashflow to intelligently position my connected charts so that my story looks polished without spending time on manual adjustments."
Description

Develop an algorithm that automatically arranges linked charts on the storyboard canvas to optimize readability and visual flow. The feature should consider screen size, chart dimensions, and narrative sequence to minimize overlaps and awkward spacing. Users should have the option to accept the auto-layout or manually adjust positions as needed.

Acceptance Criteria
Desktop Canvas Auto-Layout
Given a storyboard with multiple linked charts When the user triggers Auto-Layout Then all charts are repositioned within the desktop viewport without any overlap, in narrative sequence order, with consistent 20px spacing between charts
Mobile Canvas Auto-Layout
Given the storyboard canvas resized to mobile dimensions When Auto-Layout is applied Then charts are arranged in a single column fitting the full width without horizontal scrolling and maintain narrative order
Manual Position Adjustment
Given charts positioned by Auto-Layout When the user drags and drops a chart to a new location Then the new position is saved and the Auto-Layout control reflects that manual adjustment
Auto-Layout Performance
Given a storyboard containing up to 50 charts When Auto-Layout is executed Then the layout operation completes within 2 seconds under standard browser performance conditions
Custom Dimension Preservation
Given charts with user-set custom dimensions When Auto-Layout runs Then those custom widths and heights remain unchanged and only positions are adjusted to eliminate overlaps
Cross-Metric Sync
"As a financial analyst, I want filters and date selections to apply across my entire story sequence so that the narrative reflects consistent data context at every step."
Description

Enable synchronization of filters, date ranges, and drill-down settings across all charts in a storyline. When a user updates a filter or time period on one chart, the change should propagate to linked charts to maintain contextual consistency. This synchronization should be configurable, allowing users to lock or unlock specific parameters per chart.

Acceptance Criteria
Default Synchronization Applies to All Linked Charts
Given multiple charts are linked in a storyline, when the user updates a filter on any chart, then all linked charts reflect the same filter change within 1 second.
User Locks Specific Filters
Given a user locks a specific filter on a chart, when the user changes that filter on another linked chart, then the locked chart retains its original filter and unaffected charts update accordingly.
Date Range Propagates to New Charts Added Mid-Story
Given a storyline with an active date range set, when the user adds a new chart to the storyline, then the new chart automatically inherits and applies the current date range without manual adjustment.
Drill-Down Settings Remain Consistent
Given a user performs a drill-down on one chart in a storyline, when the drill-down is executed, then all linked charts concurrently adjust to the same drill-down level and display matching contextual data.
Synchronization Toggle Persists Across Sessions
Given the user toggles synchronization off for filters, date ranges, or drill-down settings, when the user logs out and logs back in, then the previous synchronization settings remain as configured.
Sequence Export & Sharing
"As a store owner, I want to export and share my story sequence as a PDF or interactive link so that I can present insights to stakeholders outside of Dashflow."
Description

Add functionality to export the completed story sequence as a shareable interactive link, PDF, or presentation deck. The export should preserve the narrative flow, chart interactivity (where supported), and annotations. Permissions and access controls must be applied consistent with Dashflow’s sharing settings, ensuring secure distribution.

Acceptance Criteria
Interactive Link Export
Given a completed story sequence, when the user selects 'Export as Interactive Link' and clicks 'Generate', then the system generates a shareable URL that preserves narrative flow, chart interactivity, and annotations. Given the organization's sharing settings require login, when an authorized user accesses the link, they are prompted to authenticate and then view the interactive sequence without additional permissions errors. When an unauthorized user attempts to access the link, then the system displays an 'Access Denied' message.
PDF Export
Given a completed story sequence, when the user selects 'Export to PDF' and confirms layout settings, then the system generates a PDF that retains the narrative order, chart snapshots matching on-screen visuals, and all annotations. When the export completes, then the PDF file size does not exceed 10 MB and is available for download within 30 seconds.
Presentation Deck Export
Given a completed story sequence, when the user selects 'Export to PowerPoint' and chooses theme options, then the system generates a .pptx file where each slide corresponds to a story step with editable charts and visible annotations. When the user opens the deck in PowerPoint, then charts remain linked to original data sources and narrative text appears in speaker notes sections.
Access Control Enforcement
Given any exported format (link, PDF, or deck), when the owner revokes sharing permissions for a specific user or group, then access for that user or group is immediately disabled across all previously generated exports. When an invalid or expired link is used, then the system displays an appropriate expiration or access error message.
Export Performance for Large Sequences
Given a story sequence containing up to 20 charts with datasets totaling up to 10 MB, when the user initiates any export option, then the system completes generation and provides the file or link within 60 seconds. When export time exceeds thresholds, then the system displays a progress indicator and estimated remaining time.

Approval Chain

Introduces a built-in request and approval workflow for widget-level edits. When a team member attempts to change permissions on a sensitive widget, an automated approval request routes to designated approvers. This ensures changes are reviewed, tracked, and authorized, reducing risk while maintaining collaboration.

Requirements

Automated Approval Routing
"As a dashboard editor, I want my permission change requests to be automatically routed to the appropriate approvers so that I can ensure secure modifications without manual follow-up."
Description

The system automatically identifies when a widget-level permission change is attempted on sensitive data visualizations and generates an approval request that is routed to the designated approver or approver group according to the predefined hierarchy. This functionality ensures that permission changes are systematically captured, routed without manual intervention, and delivered with sufficient context, maintaining security and governance while minimizing workload on the requestor.

Acceptance Criteria
Sensitive Widget Permission Change Request
Given a user attempts to change permissions on a widget marked as sensitive, When the change is submitted, Then the system automatically generates an approval request containing the widget ID, user ID, requested permission change, and timestamp.
Approval Request Routing to Designated Approver
Given an approval request is generated, When the system processes the request, Then it routes the request to the designated approver or approver group based on the predefined hierarchy without manual intervention.
Approver Notification Delivery
Given an approval request has been routed, When routing is complete, Then the designated approver receives both an in-app notification and an email containing the widget context and a direct link to the approval action.
Approval Decision Logging
Given an approver takes action on a request, When they approve or reject, Then the system logs the decision, approver ID, timestamp, and any comments, and updates the request status accordingly.
Permission Change Application Post-Approval
Given a request status is updated to approved, When the update occurs, Then the system applies the requested permission change to the widget and sends a notification to the requestor confirming the change.
Approval Request Notification
"As an approver, I want to receive immediate notifications when a permission change request is submitted so that I can review and respond quickly."
Description

Upon creation of an approval request for widget-level permission changes, the system sends real-time notifications via email and in-app alerts to all designated approvers. Notifications include details about the requestor, widget affected, requested change, and relevant metadata, enabling prompt awareness and reducing delays in decision-making.

Acceptance Criteria
Email Notification Delivery
Given an approval request is created for a widget-level permission change and the approver has a valid email configured When the request is submitted Then the system sends an email to the approver’s address within 30 seconds containing the requestor’s name, widget name, requested change, and timestamp.
In-App Alert Generation
Given an approver is logged into Dashflow When an approval request is created Then an in-app alert appears in the approver’s notification center within 30 seconds, showing the requestor, widget affected, requested permission change, and timestamp.
Notification Content Verification
Given a notification is received by an approver When the approver views the notification Then it must include the requestor’s name, widget identifier, current permission, requested permission change, date/time, and a direct link to the approval action.
Multiple Approvers Notification Handling
Given an approval request is assigned to multiple approvers When the request is created Then each designated approver receives one unique email and one unique in-app alert, with no duplicates sent to the same user.
Notification Failure Handling
Given an email send attempt fails When the system retries the send Then it should retry up to 3 times with exponential backoff, log each failure, and mark the notification status as ‘Failed’ in the admin dashboard if all retries fail.
Approval Decision Tracking
"As a compliance auditor, I want to view the complete history of approval decisions on sensitive widgets so that I can verify adherence to governance policies."
Description

All approval decisions, including approvals, rejections, and comments, are captured in a dedicated approval history log attached to each widget. The log provides timestamps, approver identities, decision rationale, and status changes, offering an immutable record for auditing and compliance purposes.

Acceptance Criteria
Approver Submits Approval Decision
Given a pending widget approval request When the approver selects 'Approve' and enters rationale Then the system records an entry in the widget's approval history log including decision status 'Approved', timestamp, approver ID, and rationale
Approver Submits Rejection Decision
Given a pending widget approval request When the approver selects 'Reject' and provides comments Then the system records an entry in the widget's approval history log including decision status 'Rejected', timestamp, approver ID, and comments
System Ensures Immutable Log Entries
Given existing approval history entries When any user attempts to modify or delete an entry Then the system prevents the change and records the modification attempt in a separate audit trail without altering the original entry
User Views Approval History Log
Given a widget with one or more approval history entries When a user with view permissions opens the widget's history tab Then they see all logged decisions displayed in chronological order with timestamps, approver identities, statuses, and rationale
Audit Generates Approval History Report
Given multiple widgets with approval history logs When an admin requests an export of approval histories Then the system generates and downloads a CSV file listing widget IDs, all decision entries with timestamps, approver IDs, statuses, and rationale
Editable Approval Hierarchy
"As a system administrator, I want to define and adjust the approval hierarchy so that the workflow reflects current team responsibilities and escalation needs."
Description

Administrators can configure and update the approval hierarchy, defining roles, approver groups, and escalation paths. This configuration interface supports drag-and-drop ordering, role assignments, and conditional rules based on widget sensitivity levels, ensuring the approval workflow aligns with evolving organizational structures.

Acceptance Criteria
Role Creation and Assignment
Given the administrator is on the approval hierarchy configuration screen When they drag a new role into the hierarchy and assign one or more approver groups to it Then the new role appears in the hierarchy list with the correct group assignments and can be saved successfully
Reordering Approval Levels
Given an existing approval hierarchy with multiple roles When the administrator drags a role to a new position in the list and clicks Save Then the roles persist in the new order on page reload and in downstream approval workflows
Conditional Rule Definition
Given the administrator wants to enforce different approvers based on widget sensitivity When they create a rule specifying that widgets above a defined sensitivity level route to a particular approver group Then any edit request on a widget meeting the sensitivity threshold is routed to the specified group
Escalation Path Configuration
Given the administrator sets an escalation rule for unapproved requests When they define a timeout period (e.g., 48 hours) and an escalation approver group Then any widget-level edit request not approved within the timeout automatically escalates to the designated group
Validation and Error Handling
Given the administrator attempts to save an approval hierarchy with duplicate role names or circular escalation references When they click Save Then the system displays clear validation error messages and prevents the configuration from being saved until errors are resolved
Audit Trail Export
"As a manager, I want to export the approval history so that I can include it in compliance reports and share with stakeholders."
Description

Users with appropriate roles can export the approval trail for widgets in CSV or PDF formats. The export includes all approval metadata, filters by date range or widget, and supports automated scheduled exports for compliance reporting, streamlining audit processes and ensuring transparency.

Acceptance Criteria
Manual CSV Export for Widget Approval Trail
Given a user with export permissions When the user selects CSV format, specifies widget ID and date range, and clicks Export Then the system generates and downloads a correctly formatted CSV file containing all approval events for that widget within the date range
Manual PDF Export for Widget-Specific Approval Trail
Given a user with export permissions When the user chooses PDF format, selects a widget filter, and initiates export Then the system produces a PDF report with the approval trail for the selected widget, formatted for readability with headers and pagination
Scheduled Automated Export Delivery
Given an administrator has configured a recurring export schedule When the scheduled time arrives Then the system automatically generates an export in the specified format, applies the defined filters, and emails the file to the designated recipients without manual intervention
Comprehensive Metadata Inclusion
Given any export request When the system processes the request Then the exported file includes all approval metadata fields (approver name, timestamp, action, comments, and widget ID) visible and correctly mapped in the output
No Data Available Export Handling
Given a user initiates export for a widget and date range with no approval events When the export runs Then the system returns an empty export file with headers and displays a notification indicating “No approval records found for the selected criteria”

TimeLock Access

Enables administrators to define time-based access windows for viewing or editing specific widgets. You can schedule access for peak hours, restrict weekend edits, or grant temporary permissions for project-based teams—ensuring data remains secure outside authorized time frames.

Requirements

Access Window Configuration
"As an administrator, I want to configure specific time windows for widget access so that data is only viewable and editable during authorized periods."
Description

Enable administrators to define precise start and end times for viewing or editing individual dashboard widgets. Integrate a calendar-and-time picker into the widget settings UI, store configurations in the backend, and ensure these rules automatically apply without additional user actions. This feature ensures that data remains accessible only during authorized hours, reducing the risk of unauthorized changes and supporting business policies around working hours.

Acceptance Criteria
Administrator schedules widget access window
Given the administrator is on the widget settings page When they set a valid start and end time using the calendar-and-time picker and click save Then the system stores the access window and displays it in the widget configuration list
User attempts to view widget outside allowed hours
Given a regular user tries to view the widget outside the configured access window When they navigate to the dashboard Then the widget is hidden and an informational message indicates access is not allowed at this time
Access window persists after page reload
Given an access window has been configured for a widget When the administrator or user reloads the dashboard or widget settings page Then the previously defined start and end times are retrieved from the backend and displayed correctly
Invalid time range is rejected
Given the administrator enters an end time that is earlier than the start time When they attempt to save the configuration Then the save button is disabled and an inline validation error explains that the end time must be after the start time
Scheduled access applies on weekends correctly
Given a widget’s access window excludes weekends When any user attempts to edit the widget on a Saturday or Sunday Then the system denies edit access and logs the access attempt for audit purposes
Real-Time Access Enforcement
"As an administrator, I want the system to enforce access restrictions in real time so that users cannot view or edit widgets outside allowed hours."
Description

Implement real-time checks on every user interaction to enforce defined access windows. The system evaluates the current timestamp against each widget’s schedule, dynamically enabling or disabling view and edit controls in the UI. Unauthorized access attempts are blocked, and the user receives context-sensitive messaging. This ensures consistent security by preventing off-hours data access.

Acceptance Criteria
Admin schedules weekday access window
Given an admin defines widget access from 09:00 to 17:00 on Monday through Friday, when a user attempts to edit that widget at 10:00 on a Tuesday, then the edit controls must be enabled.
User attempts access outside allowed window
Given a widget’s access window is 09:00 to 17:00, when a user tries to view the widget at 18:00 on any day, then the view controls must be disabled and an “Access denied: outside scheduled hours” message displayed.
Temporary project team access
Given an admin grants a project team access to a widget from 14:00 to 16:00 on a specific date, when a team member attempts to edit at 15:00 on that date, then both view and edit controls must be enabled; and after 16:00, controls must be disabled.
Weekend access restriction
Given an admin restricts widget edits on weekends, when a user attempts to edit the widget at 12:00 on a Saturday, then the edit option must be disabled and a “Editing disabled on weekends” notification shown.
Real-time UI control update on time boundary
Given a user is viewing a widget just before the end of its access window, when the clock reaches the scheduled end time, then the UI must immediately disable view/edit controls and display the appropriate access-denied message without requiring a page refresh.
Recurring Schedule Patterns
"As an administrator, I want to set up recurring access patterns so that I don’t have to manually redefine access windows every day or week."
Description

Allow administrators to create recurring access schedules for widgets, supporting daily, weekly, and monthly patterns. Provide options for selecting specific days of the week, dates of the month, or custom intervals. Multiple recurring schedules can be defined per widget, ensuring flexibility for complex business operations. This reduces manual configuration overhead and maintains consistent access rules over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Daily Recurring Access Schedule Creation
Given the administrator navigates to a widget’s schedule settings When they select daily recurrence and specify an access window from 09:00 to 17:00 Then the system saves the schedule and displays it in the widget’s schedule list with correct recurrence pattern and times And the schedule automatically applies every day at 09:00 and revokes at 17:00
Weekly Recurring Access with Specific Weekdays
Given the administrator is creating a weekly schedule for a widget When they select Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with access times from 10:00 to 12:00 Then the system records the selected weekdays and time window And access is only granted on those days at the specified times each week
Monthly Recurring Access on Specific Date
Given the administrator configures a monthly recurrence When they choose the 15th day of each month with an access period from 08:00 to 16:00 Then the system schedules access on the 15th of every month during the specified hours And for months with fewer days, the schedule applies on the month’s last day
Custom Interval Recurrence Configuration
Given the administrator opts for a custom recurrence interval When they set the schedule to recur every 10 days starting from a chosen start date Then the system creates a schedule that grants and revokes access at that interval And the recurrence aligns precisely with the 10-day cycle
Multiple Recurring Schedules per Widget
Given the administrator adds several recurring schedules to a single widget When they view the widget’s schedule list Then all defined schedules appear as separate entries with their recurrence patterns and time windows And the system enforces each schedule independently according to its defined parameters
Temporary Access Override
"As an administrator, I want to grant temporary access to specific users so that they can work on urgent tasks outside of normal access hours."
Description

Enable administrators to grant ad hoc, time-limited access outside the standard schedule. Provide a UI to select the target user or group, specify a custom start and end time, and add an optional reason. Include functionality to automatically revoke the override at expiration or allow manual revocation. This feature supports exceptions for special projects or urgent tasks without altering the main schedule.

Acceptance Criteria
UI Override Creation for Temporary Access
Given an administrator opens the Temporary Access Override interface When they select a target user or group, specify a valid future start and end time, optionally add a reason, and click “Grant Override” Then the system confirms creation with a success message, displays the new override in the active overrides list, and the target gains the specified access during the defined window
Automatic Override Revocation
Given a temporary override has reached its end time When the system checks for expirations Then the override is automatically revoked, the target’s access reverts to the standard schedule, and a revocation entry is recorded in the audit log
Manual Override Revocation
Given an active temporary override exists When an administrator selects the override and clicks “Revoke” Then the system prompts for confirmation, removes the override upon confirmation, reverts the target’s access to the standard schedule, and logs the manual revocation
Override Access Enforcement Outside Standard Schedule
Given a target user has an active override When they attempt to view or edit the specified widget within the override window outside the standard schedule Then the system grants access and allows the action, and blocks access outside both the standard schedule and override window
Audit Logging of Override Actions
Given any temporary override is created, expired, or manually revoked When the action occurs Then the system logs an audit record containing the action type, administrator ID, target user or group, start and end times, reason (if provided), and timestamp
Audit Trail Logging
"As an auditor, I want to review logs of time-based access events so that I can verify compliance with our security policies."
Description

Capture and store detailed logs of all access events related to time-based restrictions, including user identity, widget identifier, action attempted (view/edit), timestamp, and whether access was granted or denied. Provide a filterable, paginated UI for viewing logs and an export to CSV function for compliance reporting. This feature ensures transparency and supports audits by recording when and how access rules were enforced.

Acceptance Criteria
Admin Filters Audit Logs by Date and User
Given the audit trail contains multiple log entries When the administrator applies a date range and enters a specific user ID in the filter fields Then only log entries matching the selected date range and user ID are displayed
Admin Exports Filtered Logs to CSV
Given the audit trail UI displays a filtered set of log entries When the administrator clicks the “Export to CSV” button Then a CSV file is downloaded containing all filtered entries with correct headers: User ID, Widget ID, Action, Timestamp, Access Result
Successful Access Grant is Logged
Given a user with valid time-based access attempts to view a widget During an authorized time window When the user opens the widget Then the system records a log entry containing the user identity, widget identifier, action “view,” the correct timestamp, and result “granted”
Failed Access Denial is Logged
Given a user without valid access attempts to edit a widget Outside the authorized time window When the user attempts to edit the widget Then the system records a log entry containing the user identity, widget identifier, action “edit,” the correct timestamp, and result “denied”
Admin Navigates Audit Log Pagination
Given the total number of log entries exceeds the page size limit When the administrator clicks to navigate to page 2 of the audit trail Then the UI displays the correct set of log entries for page 2 and updates the page indicator accordingly

Preset Guard

Offers reusable permission templates at the widget level. Admins can create, name, and apply templates—like “Finance View Only” or “Marketing Editor”—across multiple dashboards. This streamlines setup for new dashboards, enforces consistency, and speeds up onboarding without manual configuration.

Requirements

Permission Template Management
"As an admin, I want to define and save permission templates for widgets so that I can quickly apply consistent access controls across multiple dashboards."
Description

Enable admins to create, edit, and delete reusable permission templates at the widget level. The system should provide a UI for naming templates, selecting widget-level permissions (e.g., view, edit, export), and categorizing templates by department or role. Templates must be stored centrally and be searchable, ensuring consistency and reusability across all dashboards. Integration with the existing user and widget metadata models is required to enforce template assignments and maintain data integrity.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Permission Template
Given an admin on the Permission Template Management page When they enter a unique template name, select at least one widget-level permission (view, edit, or export), assign a department or role category, and click Save Then the system stores the template centrally, displays it in the template list, and persists selections in the database
Editing an Existing Permission Template
Given an admin views the list of templates When they select an existing template and modify its name, permissions, or category and click Update Then the system saves the changes, updates the template in the central repository, and reflects updates immediately in the template list
Deleting a Permission Template
Given an admin views an existing template in the management UI When they click Delete and confirm the action Then the system removes the template from the central store, no longer lists it in the template list, and ensures no dashboards retain references to the deleted template
Applying a Permission Template to a Dashboard
Given an admin opens a specific dashboard’s settings When they choose a permission template from the reusable templates list and click Apply Then the system enforces the widget-level permissions defined by the template, and the dashboard widgets reflect the correct access controls for users
Searching and Filtering Permission Templates
Given an admin is on the Permission Template Management page When they enter keywords or select filters for department or role Then the system displays only templates matching the search term or filter criteria and updates the results in real time
Template Application Engine
"As an admin, I want to apply a permission template to all finance-related widgets at once so that I don’t have to configure each widget manually."
Description

Develop a mechanism to apply selected permission templates to multiple widgets across one or more dashboards in bulk. The engine should handle conflict resolution when widgets already have custom permissions, offering options to merge, override, or skip. Provide progress feedback and rollback capabilities to ensure safe operations at scale. This requirement integrates with dashboard rendering pipelines to reflect new permissions in real time.

Acceptance Criteria
Bulk Apply Template to Widgets in Single Dashboard
Given an admin selects a dashboard and a permission template; When the admin initiates the bulk apply action; Then all widgets without existing custom permissions on that dashboard must have their permissions updated to match the template within 5 seconds per dashboard of 20 widgets.
Merge Custom Permissions with Template
Given some widgets already have custom permissions; When the admin chooses the merge option during bulk apply; Then the engine must combine template permissions with existing custom settings without removing any custom rules.
Override Custom Permissions with Template
Given some widgets already have custom permissions; When the admin selects the override option during bulk apply; Then the engine must remove all existing custom permissions and apply only the template’s permissions to every selected widget.
Skip Widgets with Custom Permissions During Bulk Apply
Given some widgets already have custom permissions; When the admin selects the skip option during bulk apply; Then the engine must apply the template only to widgets without custom permissions and leave existing custom widgets unchanged.
Provide Real-Time Progress Feedback during Bulk Operations
Given a bulk template apply operation is running; When the engine processes each widget; Then the UI must display real-time progress, including percentage complete and count of processed versus total widgets, updating at least every 2 seconds.
Rollback on Failure during Bulk Template Application
Given a bulk apply process encounters an error on any widget; When the admin triggers rollback or the system auto-rollback fires; Then all permissions changed in the session must revert to their pre-operation state and the system must display a failure summary within 3 seconds.
Versioning and Audit Trail
"As a compliance officer, I want to view the history of changes made to a permission template so that I can verify who updated access rules and when."
Description

Implement version control for permission templates, capturing changes to template definitions over time. Each update must record the admin’s identity, timestamp, and change details. Provide an audit trail UI to view, compare, and revert to previous template versions. This functionality ensures compliance and transparency, enabling administrators to track who made what changes and restore templates if needed.

Acceptance Criteria
Template Version Creation Logging
Given an admin updates a permission template and saves changes, When the system records the update, Then a new version entry is created capturing the admin’s identity, timestamp, and a summary of the changes made.
Accessing Audit Trail UI
Given an admin navigates to a permission template’s settings, When they select the “Audit Trail” option, Then the UI displays a chronological list of all template versions with version numbers, timestamps, and admin names.
Comparing Template Versions
Given an admin selects two versions in the audit trail UI, When they choose to compare them, Then the system shows a side-by-side diff highlighting added, removed, or modified permission rules.
Reverting to Previous Template Version
Given an admin selects an older version and clicks “Revert to this Version,” When they confirm the revert action, Then that version becomes the current template and a new version entry is logged indicating the revert operation.
Filtering Audit Trail Entries
Given an admin applies filters for admin user or date range in the audit trail UI, When the filters are submitted, Then the list updates to show only versions matching the specified criteria.
Template Sharing and Collaboration
"As a team lead, I want to share my marketing editor template with the graphic design team so that they can review and suggest improvements."
Description

Allow administrators to share permission templates with specific teams or individual users. Provide fine-grained controls for recipients to view or co-edit templates, with appropriate permission checks. Include notification workflows to alert collaborators of template updates or requests for review. This fosters collaboration across departments and accelerates policy standardization.

Acceptance Criteria
Template Sharing with Individual User
Given an administrator has selected a permission template and a specific user, When the administrator clicks “Share” and assigns an access level, Then the user appears in the template’s collaborator list with the correct access level and receives a confirmation message.
Template Sharing with Team
Given an administrator has selected a permission template and a user group, When the administrator chooses the group and confirms sharing, Then all members of the group are granted the template with the designated permissions and a group notification is sent.
Assigning View-Only Access Rights
Given an administrator shares a template with view-only rights, When a recipient views the template, Then all editing controls are disabled and only read-only interactions are permitted.
Assigning Co-Edit Access Rights
Given an administrator shares a template with co-edit rights, When a recipient opens the template, Then the recipient can modify widget-level permissions and see real-time updates by other editors.
Notification on Template Update
Given a permission template has been updated by an administrator, When the template is saved, Then all collaborators receive an in-app and email notification detailing the changes within five minutes.
Collaborator Review Request Workflow
Given a collaborator requests a review of a shared template, When the collaborator submits the request, Then the original administrator is notified with the request details and can approve or comment within the dashboard.
Bulk Template Assignment Reporting
"As an admin, I want to generate a report of all dashboards using the Finance View Only template so that I can confirm proper access control is in place."
Description

Create reporting capabilities that summarize which dashboards and widgets have been assigned each permission template. Reports should be exportable in CSV and PDF formats and include filters by template name, dashboard owner, and assignment date. This feature helps administrators monitor adoption, identify unprotected widgets, and ensure governance across the platform.

Acceptance Criteria
Generate Dashboard-Widget Assignment Report
Given an administrator accesses the Bulk Template Assignment Reporting page When the page loads Then a table listing all dashboards and widgets with their assigned permission templates is displayed with columns Dashboard Name, Widget Name, Template Name, Assigned Date, and Dashboard Owner
Filter Report by Template Name
Given the report table is displayed When the administrator selects a specific template name filter Then only rows matching the selected template name are shown and the row count updates accordingly
Filter Report by Dashboard Owner
Given the report table is displayed When the administrator enters or selects a dashboard owner filter Then only rows associated with that owner are displayed and the row count reflects the filtered results
Filter Report by Assignment Date Range
Given the report table is displayed When the administrator sets a start and end date for assignment Then only rows with assignment dates within that range are shown and the table updates to reflect the date filter
Export Report as CSV
Given the filtered or unfiltered report table is displayed When the administrator clicks the Export CSV button Then a CSV file containing the exact table data with proper headers downloads within 5 seconds
Export Report as PDF
Given the filtered or unfiltered report table is displayed When the administrator clicks the Export PDF button Then a PDF file containing the exact table data in a readable format downloads within 5 seconds

Audit Lens

Provides a centralized activity log that records every permission change, access attempt, and approval decision for each widget. Interactive filters let admins review who viewed or edited data, when actions occurred, and whether any requests are pending, bolstering compliance and accountability.

Requirements

Permission Change Auditing
"As an admin, I want to see a record of every permission change on widgets so that I can track modifications and maintain security compliance."
Description

Enable the system to automatically record and store every user permission change event for each dashboard widget, capturing details such as the user who made the change, the time of the change, the previous and current permission settings, and the affected widget. This audit entry should integrate seamlessly with the existing backend logging infrastructure, ensuring secure, tamper-evident storage and supporting quick retrieval and review within the Audit Lens interface.

Acceptance Criteria
Create Audit Entry on Permission Change
Given an admin modifies a widget's permissions, when the change is confirmed, then the system records an audit log entry containing the admin's user ID, timestamp, previous permissions, new permissions, and the widget identifier.
Secure, Tamper-Evident Storage
Given an audit entry is generated, when the entry is stored, then the storage mechanism ensures integrity via hashing or signing and prevents unauthorized modifications.
Retrieve Audit Logs via Audit Lens Interface
Given an admin opens the Audit Lens for a specific widget, when filters for permission changes are applied, then the interface displays all relevant audit entries sorted by timestamp and includes user, old/new permissions, and change reason.
Filter Audit Logs by User and Date Range
Given multiple audit entries exist, when an admin selects a specific user and date range filter, then only the entries matching those filters are displayed.
Ensure Audit Log Integration with Backend Logging
Given the backend logging infrastructure, when a permission change occurs, then the audit entry is sent to the logging service endpoint and receives a successful 200 response.
Access Attempt Logging
"As an admin, I want to view logs of who tried to access each widget and whether they succeeded so that I can detect unauthorized access attempts."
Description

Record all successful and failed attempts by users to access dashboard widgets, including user identity, timestamp, widget ID, and result of the access attempt. Logs should be indexed and stored securely, providing real-time visibility in Audit Lens and enabling admins to identify unauthorized access patterns or troubleshoot permission issues.

Acceptance Criteria
Successful Widget Access Logging
Given a user with valid permissions attempts to view a widget, When access is granted, Then a log entry with user identity, timestamp, widget ID, and result 'success' is created and stored.
Failed Widget Access Logging
Given a user without required permissions attempts to view a widget, When access is denied, Then a log entry with user identity, timestamp, widget ID, and result 'failure', including the reason for denial, is created and stored.
Real-Time Log Visibility
Given a log entry is created, When querying Audit Lens, Then the newly created log entry appears within 5 seconds.
Secure and Indexed Log Storage
Given log entries are stored, When accessing the log database, Then all entries are encrypted at rest and indexed by user identity, widget ID, and timestamp for efficient querying.
Bulk Log Query Performance
Given an admin queries at least 1000 log entries, When executing the query in Audit Lens, Then the system returns results within 2 seconds and displays them correctly.
Approval Decision Recording
"As an admin, I want to review a history of all approval decisions for widget access requests so that I can ensure accountability in the approval process."
Description

Capture every approval or denial action performed through the system for user requests related to widget access or permission changes. Each entry must include the requester, approver, action taken, timestamp, rationale (if provided), and widget context. This ensures accountability and provides a clear audit trail for compliance reviews.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Widget Access Approval Audit
Given a user requests access to a widget When an admin approves the request Then an audit entry is created containing requester ID, approver ID, action "approved", timestamp (ISO 8601), provided rationale (if any), and widget identifier and name
Single Widget Access Denial Audit
Given a user requests a permission change for a widget When an admin denies the request Then an audit entry is created containing requester ID, approver ID, action "denied", timestamp (ISO 8601), provided rationale, and widget context
Bulk Approval Actions Auditing
Given an admin approves multiple widget access requests in one operation When the bulk approval is completed Then individual audit entries exist for each request, each recording requester, approver, action, timestamp, rationale, and widget details
Rationale Optional Field Handling
Given an approval action is performed without entering a rationale When the audit entry is saved Then the entry stores an empty rationale field or null value and no validation errors occur
Audit Log Retrieval and Filtering
Given an admin applies filters by widget, action type, requester, or approver When the filters are applied Then only matching audit entries are displayed, each including all recorded fields
Timestamp Format and Ordering
Given multiple approval actions have been recorded When viewing the audit log Then entries are ordered in descending chronological order, and all timestamps are displayed in ISO 8601 format
Interactive Audit Filters
"As an admin, I want to filter audit logs by date, user, action type, and widget so that I can quickly locate relevant events."
Description

Provide a dynamic filtering interface within Audit Lens that allows admins to refine audit logs by criteria such as date range, user, action type (permission change, access attempt, approval decision), widget, and status. Filters should apply instantly and support combination of multiple criteria, enabling efficient drill-down into large volumes of log data.

Acceptance Criteria
Date Range Filtering
Given an admin is on the Audit Lens page When the admin applies a start and end date filter Then only log entries within that date range are displayed
User-Based Filtering
Given an admin is on the Audit Lens page When the admin selects one or more users from the user filter Then only log entries associated with those users appear
Action Type Combination
Given an admin is on the Audit Lens page When the admin chooses multiple action types Then only log entries matching any of the selected action types are shown
Widget-Specific Drill-Down
Given an admin is on the Audit Lens page When the admin filters by a specific widget Then only logs related to that widget are displayed
Instant Filter Application
Given an admin selects or adjusts filter criteria When the admin applies the filters Then the log view updates within two seconds without a full page reload
Pending Requests Dashboard
"As an admin, I want to see all pending widget access or permission requests in one dashboard so that I can efficiently process approvals or denials."
Description

Display a centralized view of all pending access or permission change requests, showing requester details, requested permissions, target widget, request timestamp, and current status. The dashboard should allow admins to approve or deny requests directly, update statuses in real time, and notify requesters of decisions through integrated alerts.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Pending Requests Dashboard
Given the admin navigates to the Pending Requests Dashboard, When there are pending access or permission change requests, Then the dashboard displays a list showing requester details, requested permissions, target widget, request timestamp, and current status, with pagination and sortable columns.
Approving a Pending Request
Given the admin clicks the Approve button on a pending request, When the approval is confirmed, Then the request status updates to “Approved” instantly on the dashboard and an integrated alert is sent to the requester within 30 seconds.
Denying a Pending Request
Given the admin clicks the Deny button on a pending request, When the denial is confirmed, Then the request status updates to “Denied” instantly on the dashboard and an integrated alert is sent to the requester within 30 seconds.
Filtering and Searching Requests
Given the Pending Requests Dashboard is displayed, When the admin applies filters by requester name, target widget, or status, Or performs a keyword search, Then only matching pending requests are shown and the results update within 1 second.
Real-Time Dashboard Updates
Given another admin approves or denies a request from a different session, When the action occurs, Then the Pending Requests Dashboard automatically refreshes within 5 seconds to reflect the updated status without manual page reload.
Audit Data Export
"As an admin, I want to export audit logs to CSV or PDF so that I can share them with stakeholders or archive them for compliance purposes."
Description

Enable exporting of filtered audit logs to common formats such as CSV and PDF, including all relevant metadata fields. Exports should respect applied filters and support scheduled or on-demand generation, facilitating offline analysis, reporting, and compliance documentation.

Acceptance Criteria
Export Filtered CSV Report
Given an admin applies filters to the audit log, when they select the 'Export to CSV' option and confirm, then a CSV file containing only filtered entries with all relevant metadata fields is downloaded within 30 seconds.
Generate On-Demand PDF Export
Given an admin views a filtered audit log, when they choose 'Export to PDF', then a PDF document including the log entries and metadata is generated and available for immediate download.
Schedule Recurring Export Delivery
Given an admin configures a scheduled export task, when they set the frequency, filters, and destination, then the system generates and sends the exported report at the specified intervals without errors.
Verify Export Includes Metadata Fields
Given any export action is initiated, when the file is generated, then it contains all required metadata fields (timestamp, user ID, action type, widget ID) in the correct columns.
Handle Large Volume Export Within SLAs
Given the audit log contains over 100,000 entries, when an export is requested, then the system completes the generation of the CSV or PDF file within 2 minutes without timing out.

Contextual Lock

Automatically adjusts widget permissions based on contextual triggers—such as geographic location, device type, or user role changes. For example, if a user logs in from an untrusted network, the widget switches to view-only mode, protecting sensitive information in real time.

Requirements

Real-Time Context Detection
"As a system administrator, I want the platform to detect when a user’s context changes (e.g., network or location) so that permissions can adjust automatically to maintain security."
Description

Implement a module that continuously monitors and identifies contextual triggers—such as geographic location, network trust level, and device type—in real time. The module should ingest data from authentication events, device metadata, and network diagnostics, normalizing and processing these inputs to determine current context without perceptible delay.

Acceptance Criteria
Trusted Network and Known Device Login
Given a user logs in from a previously registered device within their home geographic region over a trusted corporate network, When the authentication event is processed, Then the context detection module must identify the network trust level as 'trusted', the device type as 'known', and the location as 'home' within 200 ms, outputting the context state as 'normal'.
Untrusted Network External Access
Given a user attempts to log in from an untrusted public network outside the enterprise IP range, When the module normalizes network diagnostics, Then it must classify the network trust level as 'untrusted' and tag the context for enforcement within 300 ms.
Device Type Identification on Mobile Login
Given a user logs in from a mobile device, When device metadata is ingested, Then the module must correctly identify the device type as 'mobile' and include this in the context output without perceptible delay.
Geolocation Change During Active Session
Given a user’s geolocation shifts rapidly mid-session, When new location data is received, Then the module must update the geographic context from 'initial' to 'updated' within 500 ms and trigger a context change event.
Multiple Context Signal Correlation
Given simultaneous inputs of device metadata change and network diagnostics indicating potential threat, When these inputs are normalized, Then the module must correlate both signals and output a composite context decision flagging 'elevated risk' within 400 ms.
Dynamic Permission Adjustment Engine
"As a product manager, I want the system to automatically modify widget permissions based on contextual rules so that sensitive data is protected without manual intervention."
Description

Develop an engine that evaluates the detected context against predefined rules and adjusts widget permissions accordingly. The engine must support rule definition by role, location, network trust, and device type, applying view-only or restricted access in real time. It should integrate with the existing permissions framework and ensure minimal latency when switching modes.

Acceptance Criteria
Untrusted Network Access Lockdown
Given a user logs in from an untrusted network When the engine detects the network trust level as "untrusted" Then all dashboard widgets switch to view-only mode within 100ms
Role Change Permission Recalibration
Given a user's role changes from Admin to Viewer during an active session When the engine receives the updated role information Then edit and delete controls are disabled and only Viewer-permitted actions remain available
Mobile Device Restriction Enforcement
Given a user accesses the dashboard from a mobile device When the engine identifies the device type as mobile Then sharing and export functions are hidden and only view and filter options are enabled
Geolocation-Based Access Control
Given a user’s location is detected outside the allowed regions When the engine evaluates the location against the whitelist Then sensitive widgets are hidden and view-only mode is enforced
Real-Time Permission Adjustment Latency
Given any contextual trigger (role, network, device, or location) When the engine processes the rule and adjusts permissions Then the transition completes in under 200ms without interrupting the user session
Untrusted Network Lockdown
"As a small-business manager, I want my dashboards to become read-only when I’m on an untrusted network so that my data remains secure even if the connection is compromised."
Description

Create a component that identifies untrusted or unknown networks by comparing connection metadata against a whitelist of approved networks. When an untrusted network is detected, the system must trigger a lockdown mode, switching all widgets to view-only until the user reconnects to a trusted network or re-authenticates.

Acceptance Criteria
Detection of Untrusted Network on Login
Given a user attempts to log in from a network not listed in the whitelist, When the system compares the network metadata to the whitelist, Then the system identifies the network as untrusted within 2 seconds.
Automatic Widget Lockdown Upon Untrusted Network Detection
Given an untrusted network is detected, When the user has active widgets on their dashboard, Then all widgets must switch to view-only mode within 1 second and prevent any edit, export, or data modification actions.
User Notification of Lockdown Mode
Given widgets are switched to view-only due to an untrusted network, When the lockdown is triggered, Then the user sees a notification banner explaining that editing is disabled due to untrusted network access.
Restoration of Full Access After Re-Authentication
Given the user reconnects to an untrusted network, When the user successfully re-authenticates via multi-factor authentication, Then all widgets return to their previous permission state and editing capabilities are restored.
Bypassing Lockdown on Whitelisted Network
Given the user switches from an untrusted network to a whitelisted network, When the connection is re-established and verified, Then the system automatically restores full widget permissions without requiring re-authentication.
Logging Untrusted Network Events
Given an untrusted network is detected and lockdown is triggered, When the event occurs, Then a log entry is created with timestamp, user ID, network metadata, and action taken, and is stored in the security audit log.
Device-Type Permission Rules
"As a business analyst, I want the system to limit dashboard interactivity on my mobile device so that I can review insights securely when I’m on the go."
Description

Enable configuration of permission rules based on device type (e.g., desktop, tablet, mobile). The system should detect the user’s device characteristics upon login and enforce tailored access levels, optimizing for security on less secure devices while preserving full functionality on trusted hardware.

Acceptance Criteria
Mobile Device Login Enforces Restricted Permissions
Given a user logs in from a mobile device When the system detects the device type as mobile Then the user is granted only view and limited edit permissions as configured for mobile
Desktop Device Login Grants Full Permissions
Given a user logs in from a desktop device When the system detects the device type as desktop Then the user receives full access rights including create, edit, delete, and share
Tablet Device Login Applies Custom Permissions
Given a user logs in from a tablet device When the system detects the device type as tablet Then the user’s access level matches the custom permission profile defined for tablets
Admin Defines Permission Rule for Device Types
Given an administrator opens the device-type permission settings When they select a device category and assign desired permission levels Then the new rules are saved and listed in the configuration table without errors
Permission Rule Update Reflects in Real-Time
Given an existing device-type permission rule is updated by an administrator When a user logs in after the update Then the system enforces the new permission settings immediately without requiring a session restart
Audit Logging and Alerts
"As a security officer, I want to receive alerts and detailed logs when context-based locks are applied so that I can investigate potential security incidents promptly."
Description

Implement comprehensive logging of all context-triggered permission changes, including timestamps, user identity, context parameters, and rule evaluations. Provide an alerting mechanism to notify administrators of critical events, such as multiple lockouts or unauthorized access attempts, enabling rapid incident response.

Acceptance Criteria
Context-Triggered Permission Change Logging
Given a context-triggered permission change occurs When the system evaluates the context rule Then a log entry is created with timestamp, user identity, context parameters, previous permission state, and new permission state
Unauthorized Access Attempt Alert Generation
Given an unauthorized access attempt is detected When a user tries to access a widget without sufficient permissions Then an alert is generated containing user identity, attempted action, context details, and alert severity
Multiple Lockout Detection and Notification
Given a user experiences 3 or more lockouts within a 10-minute window When the third lockout is recorded Then the system raises a high-severity alert to administrators with aggregated lockout details
Comprehensive Audit Entry Details
Given any context-triggered permission event When logging the event Then the audit entry includes rule evaluation results, contextual parameters, user role, device type, and geographic location
High-Severity Alert Delivery to Administrators
Given a critical alert is raised When the alert is generated Then notifications are sent via email and in-app notification to all administrators within 1 minute

QuickConnect Hub

Instantly link Dashflow to popular platforms like Shopify and QuickBooks without technical setup. This centralized hub detects your available data sources and establishes secure connections in seconds, eliminating manual configuration and accelerating time to insights.

Requirements

Auto-Discovery of Data Sources
"As a small-business manager, I want the system to automatically detect my available data platforms so that I can quickly choose which ones to connect without manually entering credentials or endpoints."
Description

Automatically scan and detect available data sources (e.g., Shopify, QuickBooks, Google Sheets) within a user’s account, presenting them in a centralized interface for seamless selection and connection.

Acceptance Criteria
System Scans User Accounts for Platforms
Given a user has authenticated their Dashflow account with supported platforms, when they open the QuickConnect Hub, then within 5 seconds the system auto-discovers and lists all linked Shopify, QuickBooks, and Google Sheets data sources.
Platform Selection Interface Loads Detected Sources
When the QuickConnect Hub loads, then the UI presents each detected data source with its name, platform icon, and connection status in a sortable list by platform and alphabetical order.
Handling Unreachable or Unauthorized Sources
Given a detected data source returns a 401 or 403 error during discovery, when the scan completes, then the system flags that source with an error indicator and displays a “Reauthorize” action button.
Real-Time Update after New Source Connection
When a user adds new data source credentials externally, then within 10 seconds of returning to the QuickConnect Hub the new source appears in the list without requiring a full page refresh.
Secure Data Discovery Logging
Given the auto-discovery process runs, then the system logs each scan event with timestamp, user ID, and discovered platform details in the audit log per security policy.
Secure OAuth Authentication
"As a user, I want to authenticate my accounts through a secure OAuth flow so that I can grant access safely and avoid sharing my login credentials directly."
Description

Implement OAuth 2.0 authentication flows for supported platforms, ensuring secure, token-based access without storing user passwords, while providing clear prompts and consent screens.

Acceptance Criteria
Initiate OAuth Consent Flow
Given a user with a valid Dashflow account, When the user clicks 'Connect to Shopify' in the QuickConnect Hub, Then the system redirects the user to Shopify’s OAuth consent screen with the correct client_id, requested scopes, and state parameter.
Handle OAuth Callback and Token Exchange
Given the user has approved the consent, When Shopify redirects back with an authorization code, Then the system exchanges the code for an access token and refresh token, stores them securely, and associates them with the user’s Dashflow account without exposing sensitive data.
Manage Token Refresh Process
Given the access token has expired, When Dashflow requests data from the connected platform, Then the system automatically uses the refresh token to obtain a new access token before retrying the request, without user intervention.
Graceful Consent Denial Handling
Given the user denies consent on the OAuth screen, When the OAuth server returns an 'access_denied' error, Then the system displays a clear, user-friendly error message and ensures no tokens are stored.
Revoke and Disconnect Account
Given a user decides to disconnect their platform account, When they select 'Disconnect' in QuickConnect Hub, Then the system revokes the OAuth tokens with the provider and securely deletes all related tokens from storage.
One-Click Connector Setup
"As a non-technical user, I want to set up my data source connections with one click so that I can start analyzing my data immediately without manual configuration."
Description

Enable users to establish connections with detected data sources through a single click, automatically configuring API endpoints, syncing intervals, and data mapping defaults.

Acceptance Criteria
Shopify Store One-Click Connection
Given a detected Shopify store in QuickConnect Hub When the user clicks the "Connect" button next to the store Then the system automatically configures the API endpoint, sets the sync interval to 15 minutes, applies default data mapping, and displays a success message with connection status "Active".
QuickBooks One-Click Connection
Given a detected QuickBooks account in QuickConnect Hub When the user selects the account and presses "Connect" Then the system automatically sets the API credentials, establishes the secure OAuth flow, applies default sync schedule of hourly updates, and confirms connection with a toast notification.
Duplicate Connector Prevention
Given an already established connection for a data source When the user attempts to click the one-click connect button again Then the system prevents creating a duplicate connection, disables the connect button, and shows a message "Connection already active".
Unsupported Data Source Error Handling
Given a detected data source that is unsupported by QuickConnect Hub When the user clicks "Connect" Then the system displays an error stating "Unsupported data source", logs the attempt, and does not create any connection record.
Default Data Mapping Verification
Given a supported data source is connected via one click When the connection completes Then the system applies the predefined default field mappings, allows the user to view mapping in the UI, and syncs the first batch of data according to the mapping rules.
Data Sync Monitoring Dashboard
"As an operations manager, I want to monitor the health and timing of my data syncs so that I can ensure up-to-date insights and quickly address any issues."
Description

Provide a real-time dashboard showing the status of each data connector, including last sync time, next scheduled sync, data volume transferred, and any sync errors or warnings.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing real-time sync statuses
Given the user navigates to the Data Sync Monitoring Dashboard when connectors are fetched then the dashboard displays each connector with columns for Connector Name, Last Sync Time, Next Scheduled Sync, Data Volume Transferred, and Status; and Last Sync Time updates within 1 minute of a sync event; and connectors with no sync history display 'N/A' in the Data Volume Transferred column.
Identifying sync errors
Given a data sync error occurs for a connector then an error icon displays in the Status column; and hovering over the error icon reveals error code, timestamp, and affected record count; and connectors with errors are listed at the top of the dashboard.
Filtering connectors by status
Given the dashboard provides status filters when the user selects a status filter (All, Success, Warning, Error) then only connectors matching the selected status are shown; and the selected filter persists after page reloads.
Exporting sync logs
Given the user clicks the 'Export CSV' button when the current dashboard view is fully loaded then a CSV file containing all displayed columns downloads within 3 seconds; and the filename includes the current date and timestamp.
Monitoring scheduled sync reminders
Given a connector’s Next Scheduled Sync time is overdue by more than 5 minutes then an alert banner appears at the top of the dashboard listing overdue connectors and their overdue durations; and overdue connector rows are highlighted in yellow.
Error Handling and Retry Mechanism
"As a user, I want the system to automatically retry failed data syncs and notify me if issues persist so that I don’t have to manually intervene for transient errors."
Description

Implement automatic error detection, retry logic, and user notifications for failed sync attempts, with configurable retry intervals and failure thresholds.

Acceptance Criteria
Automatic Retry After Transient Network Failure
Given a network timeout during data sync, when the system detects a transient error, then it retries the connection up to the configured maximum number of attempts at the defined retry interval.
User-Configured Retry Interval Application
Given a custom retry interval specified in user settings, when a sync failure occurs, then the system waits exactly the configured interval before initiating the next retry attempt.
Failure Threshold Exceeded Notification
Given consecutive sync failures equal to the configured failure threshold, when the threshold is reached, then the system stops automatic retries and displays an error notification to the user detailing the failure reason.
Sync Failure Event Logging
Given any sync attempt that results in an error, when the failure occurs, then the system logs the event with a timestamp, error code, data source identifier, and retry count in the audit log.
Manual Retry from UI
Given a displayed sync failure notification in the UI, when the user clicks the "Retry Now" button, then the system immediately attempts to sync again regardless of the scheduled retry interval.

SmartMapper

Automatically aligns imported fields with Dashflow’s data schema using AI-driven field recognition. SmartMapper reduces mapping errors, saves hours of manual field matching, and ensures your data lands in the right place every time.

Requirements

Field Recognition Accuracy
"As a business analyst, I want the system to automatically match my CSV column headers to Dashflow schema fields accurately so that I don't have to spend time manually adjusting mappings and can trust the imported data."
Description

SmartMapper leverages AI-driven field recognition to automatically align imported data fields with Dashflow’s standardized schema. This requirement ensures that the mapping algorithm achieves at least 95% accuracy across common retail and service use cases, minimizing manual corrections and preventing data misplacements. It integrates with the data import pipeline, continuously learning from user corrections to improve future mappings. The expected outcome is faster data onboarding, reduced errors, and improved user satisfaction.

Acceptance Criteria
Standard Retail CSV Import Field Matching
Given a retail CSV file with standard field names When SmartMapper processes the file Then at least 95% of fields are mapped correctly And no critical fields require manual mapping
Service Industry JSON Data Integration
Given a JSON dataset from a service provider When SmartMapper imports the data Then automatic mapping accuracy is 95% or greater And any unmapped fields are flagged for user review
User Correction Learning Improvement
Given a user corrects misaligned fields in a prior import When similar data is imported subsequently Then mapping accuracy improves by at least 5% after ten corrections And no previously corrected fields are remapped incorrectly
Bulk Data Import Performance under High Volume
Given a dataset containing over 10,000 fields When SmartMapper executes the auto-mapping process Then mapping completes within two minutes And maintains a minimum of 95% accuracy
Edge Case Field Recognition for Custom Fields
Given a dataset with uncommon or custom field names When SmartMapper attempts automatic mapping Then at least 95% of custom fields are correctly aligned And any remaining unmapped fields prompt user verification
Custom Mapping Overrides
"As a small-business manager, I want to manually correct any mismatched fields after automatic mapping so that all my imported data is accurate and reflects my unique column naming conventions."
Description

Provide users with the ability to manually override SmartMapper’s default field mappings during or after the import process. This feature allows users to adjust incorrect or ambiguous mappings, ensuring data lands in the correct fields. The override interface should be intuitive, integrated into the mapping review screen, and persist user preferences for future imports. This requirement enhances flexibility, giving users control over edge cases and custom data structures.

Acceptance Criteria
Override Mapping During Initial Import Review
Given the user is on the mapping review screen with default SmartMapper field mappings displayed, When the user selects a source field and chooses a different target schema field via the override UI, Then the mapping updates to the chosen target and is visually denoted as an override.
Apply Overrides Post-Import
Given a completed data import with default mappings applied, When the user accesses the import history and selects a past import, Then the override UI allows modification of mappings and changes are applied to reprocess the affected records.
Persisting User Override Preferences
Given a user has saved a custom mapping override for a specific source field, When the same data source is imported again, Then the system automatically applies the saved override mapping without additional user input.
Resetting to Default Mappings
Given the user has applied one or more manual overrides, When the user clicks the 'Reset to Default' option in the override interface, Then all mappings revert to SmartMapper’s original suggestions and previously saved overrides for that import session are cleared.
Handling Ambiguous Field Matches
Given SmartMapper identifies a source field with low confidence match, When the import review screen loads, Then the ambiguous fields are highlighted and the override interface prompts the user to confirm or select the correct target mapping.
Schema Validation Alerts
"As a user, I want to receive alerts when uploaded data does not meet the required schema so that I can fix issues before the data import is completed and avoid errors in my dashboards."
Description

Implement real-time validation checks that compare imported data types and values against Dashflow’s schema definitions. When discrepancies such as type mismatches, missing required fields, or out-of-range values are detected, the system should display clear, actionable alerts guiding users to resolve issues before finalizing the import. This requirement safeguards data integrity and prevents corrupted or incomplete data from entering the system.

Acceptance Criteria
Type Mismatch Identification
Given a data import where a field’s value type does not match the schema definition, when the import is initiated, then the system must display an alert specifying the field name, expected data type, actual data type, and a suggestion for correction.
Missing Required Field Alert
Given an import file missing one or more required schema fields, when validation runs, then the system must list all missing fields in a clear alert and prevent the import from completing until the user provides the required fields.
Out-of-Range Value Notification
Given imported numeric values that fall outside the schema’s defined range, when validation occurs, then the system must flag each out-of-range value with its row reference, display the acceptable range, and block final import submission.
Real-time Inline Validation
Given the user is previewing field mappings before finalizing an import, when they map fields, then the system must perform instant validation checks and display inline alerts next to any fields with type mismatches, missing values, or out-of-range entries.
Error Resolution Workflow Guidance
Given validation alerts are displayed, when the user clicks an alert, then the system must navigate the user to the specific record or mapping step, highlight the problematic field, and provide instructions for resolving the issue.
Bulk Import Support
"As a data manager, I want to import large datasets in one go and have the system map all fields automatically so that I can avoid splitting files and save time when working with extensive data."
Description

Enable SmartMapper to process and map large datasets in a single batch, supporting files up to 10GB and up to 1 million rows. This requirement specifies performance benchmarks, such as completing the mapping stage within 2 minutes for a 5GB file on standard infrastructure. It includes streaming data processing and parallel mapping operations to ensure efficient handling of high-volume imports without degrading system performance.

Acceptance Criteria
High-Volume File Upload
Given a 10GB CSV file with 1,000,000 rows is uploaded, when SmartMapper processes the file, then mapping completes within 2 minutes, all fields are aligned to the schema with 0% mapping errors, and average CPU utilization remains below 85%.
Performance Benchmarking for 5GB Files
Given a 5GB file is imported on standard infrastructure (8 CPU cores, 16GB RAM), when SmartMapper performs the mapping stage, then the process completes within 2 minutes and memory usage does not exceed 70%.
Streaming Data Integrity
Given streaming data import is enabled for a 8GB JSON dataset, when SmartMapper applies streaming mapping, then data is processed in chunks without loss or duplication and the overall import completes within 3 minutes.
Parallel Mapping Efficiency
Given two concurrent batches of 500,000 rows each are uploaded, when SmartMapper runs parallel mapping, then total processing time is at least 40% faster than sequential mapping and no deadlocks or race conditions occur.
Error Handling for Unrecognized Fields
Given an import file contains fields not recognized by the schema, when SmartMapper processes the file, then it logs all unrecognized fields, prompts the user for resolution, and completes mapping of recognized fields without interruption.
Mapping Audit Trail
"As an admin, I want to review a history of all automated and manual mapping actions taken during data imports so that I can audit changes and support compliance requirements."
Description

Create a detailed audit trail that logs every SmartMapper import event, including original file metadata, detected field mappings, user overrides, timestamp, and import status. The audit log should be accessible via the admin interface, supporting filtering and exporting of logs for compliance and troubleshooting. This requirement ensures transparency, accountability, and traceability of data import operations.

Acceptance Criteria
Import Event Logged Scenario
Given an admin initiates a SmartMapper import event, When the import completes or fails, Then the system creates a new audit log entry capturing the original file metadata, detected field mappings, timestamp, user overrides, and final import status.
Audit Log Filtering Scenario
Given an admin accesses the audit log interface, When filters for date range, import status, user identifier, or file name are applied, Then the system displays only the matching audit entries in the results.
Audit Log Export Scenario
Given an admin has filtered audit entries, When they click the export button, Then the system generates a CSV file that includes all displayed audit fields and prompts the user to download it.
User Override Audit Scenario
Given a user changes a detected field mapping during an import, When the import is completed, Then the audit trail includes a record of each override with the original detected mapping, the user’s selection, and the user’s identifier.
Audit Trail Accessibility Scenario
Given an admin without technical privileges logs into the admin interface, When they navigate to the audit log section, Then they can view, filter, and export logs without encountering permission errors.

DeltaSync

Synchronize only new or updated records after the initial import, minimizing data transfer times and reducing API usage. With DeltaSync, your dashboards stay up to date in minutes without overwhelming your source systems or incurring unnecessary sync costs.

Requirements

Initial Full Import
"As a system administrator, I want to import all existing records at once so that Dashflow begins with a complete and accurate dataset."
Description

Perform a complete initial import of all existing records from the source system into Dashflow, ensuring the dashboard starts with a comprehensive dataset. This process should verify data integrity, map all fields accurately, and log the import status.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Data Extraction
Given the user initiates the initial full import, when the process runs, then all existing records from the source system are fetched and stored in Dashflow without omissions.
Field Mapping Verification
Given the predefined mapping configuration, when the import executes, then each field from the source system matches the correct destination field in Dashflow with no mismatches.
Data Integrity Check
Given the complete dataset is imported, when the import finishes, then the total record count and checksum of imported data align perfectly with the source system.
Import Status Logging
Given the import operation completes, when the process ends, then a detailed log is generated showing start and end timestamps, total records processed, successful imports, and any errors.
Error Handling and Recovery
Given an error occurs during import, when a failure happens, then the system retries failed records up to three times, logs detailed error messages, and surfaces a notification to the user if unresolved.
Delta Change Detection
"As a small-business manager, I want only new or updated records to be synchronized so that syncs complete quickly and efficiently without overloading our systems."
Description

Identify and extract only new or updated records since the last successful sync by leveraging source system timestamps or change logs. This detection must be accurate and performant to minimize data transfer and API usage.

Acceptance Criteria
Extraction of New Records
Given the lastSyncTimestamp is recorded as '2025-07-20T15:00:00Z', When DeltaSync executes, Then it retrieves only records from the source with CreatedTimestamp > '2025-07-20T15:00:00Z'.
Extraction of Updated Records
Given the lastSyncTimestamp is recorded, When DeltaSync runs, Then it retrieves only records with UpdatedTimestamp > lastSyncTimestamp and marks them for update.
Exclusion of Unchanged Records
Given a mix of records with CreatedTimestamp and UpdatedTimestamp relative to lastSyncTimestamp, When DeltaSync processes the result set, Then it excludes any records where neither timestamp exceeds lastSyncTimestamp.
Handling Soft-Deletions
Given a record deletion is logged in the source change log, When DeltaSync runs, Then it identifies the deletion entry and removes or flags the record as deleted in the destination.
Timestamp Anomaly Handling
Given source system clock skew up to 5 seconds, When calculating the delta window, Then DeltaSync extends the query start time by 5 seconds and deduplicates any overlapping records.
Sync Performance Under Load
Given 100,000 changed records since last sync, When DeltaSync executes, Then it completes within 2 minutes and uses no more than 500 API calls.
Configurable Sync Scheduling
"As a user, I want to schedule delta syncs at specific intervals so that my dashboards stay current without manual intervention."
Description

Enable users to configure automatic delta sync schedules through an intuitive interface, allowing selection of frequency (e.g., every 5 minutes, hourly, daily) and specific time windows. The scheduler should respect business hours and user-defined blackout periods.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring a Five-Minute Recurring Sync
Given a user has accessed the sync scheduler UI and set the sync frequency to every 5 minutes within defined business hours, when the user saves the schedule, then the system schedules delta sync jobs at 5-minute intervals and logs each sync execution time.
Setting Daily Sync Outside Business Hours
Given a user selects a daily sync at 02:00 AM and verifies that 02:00 AM falls outside the configured business hours, when the schedule is saved, then the system triggers a single delta sync at 02:00 AM each day without additional prompts.
Defining Blackout Period for Maintenance
Given a user configures a blackout period from 12:00 PM to 01:00 PM on weekdays, when the delta sync scheduler evaluates the next run time, then no sync jobs are executed during the blackout window and the next sync is automatically deferred to the first available time after 01:00 PM.
Updating Existing Schedule Frequency
Given a user has an existing hourly sync schedule configured, when the user updates the frequency to every 30 minutes and saves the changes, then the system cancels the old hourly schedule and initiates delta sync jobs at 30-minute intervals starting from the next qualified run time.
Preventing Overlapping Time Window Conflicts
Given a user attempts to create a sync schedule that overlaps with an existing blackout period (e.g., schedule at 10:00 AM with blackout 09:00 AM–11:00 AM), when the user saves the configuration, then the system validates and rejects the entry, displaying an error message indicating the conflict.
Error Handling and Retry Mechanism
"As an operations manager, I want automatic retries and error notifications so that I’m aware of syncing issues and can address them promptly."
Description

Implement robust error detection during sync operations, log detailed error information, and automatically retry failed syncs with exponential backoff. Provide alerts for persistent failures to ensure timely resolution.

Acceptance Criteria
Detect and Retry on Transient Network Errors
Given a network timeout or transient error occurs during a DeltaSync operation, when the system catches the error, then it automatically retries the sync up to 3 times with exponential backoff intervals of 1s, 2s, and 4s.
Alert on Persistent Sync Failures
Given the DeltaSync operation fails after the maximum number of retry attempts, when the final retry is exhausted, then the system logs the persistent failure and sends an alert notification to the configured admin channels (e.g., email, dashboard notification) within 5 minutes.
Implement Exponential Backoff Strategy
Given a sync failure, when retries are initiated, then the retry intervals must double starting at 1 second, not exceed 30 seconds, and cap the maximum wait time at 30 seconds for all subsequent retries.
Log Detailed Error Information
Given any sync error occurs, when the error is caught, then the system must log the error type, timestamp, affected record identifiers, API endpoint, and error message or stack trace to the centralized logging service within 100ms.
Successful Sync After Retry
Given an initial sync attempt fails and a subsequent retry succeeds, when the second attempt completes successfully, then the system should record only one error entry and one successful sync entry, and must not send any failure alerts.
Sync Monitoring Dashboard
"As a user, I want to monitor sync performance and history so that I can verify that data is up to date and troubleshoot any issues."
Description

Provide a real-time dashboard displaying sync metrics, including last sync timestamp, number of records processed, duration, success/failure status, and error details. Allow filtering and export of log data for troubleshooting.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Last Sync Timestamp
Given the Sync Monitoring Dashboard is accessed, when the dashboard loads, then the Last Sync Timestamp displays the timestamp of the most recent sync within ±5 seconds of actual completion time.
Monitoring Records Processed
Given a sync has completed, when the dashboard refreshes, then the Records Processed metric accurately shows the total count of new and updated records from the last sync.
Assessing Sync Duration
Given the dashboard displays sync metrics, when a sync completes, then the Duration metric shows the total elapsed time in seconds with at least two decimal places.
Filtering by Status
Given the sync log table is populated, when the user filters by Failure status, then only logs with failure statuses appear and the displayed count matches the number of failed entries.
Exporting Sync Logs
Given filters are applied to the sync log, when the user clicks Export, then a CSV file downloads within 10 seconds containing all filtered log entries with timestamp, records processed, status, and error details columns.
Conflict Resolution Policy
"As a data steward, I want conflicts to be handled automatically according to predefined rules so that data integrity is maintained without manual intervention."
Description

Define and enforce rules for resolving data conflicts during delta syncs, such as prioritizing source-of-truth or merging field-level changes. Log conflict events and resolutions for auditability.

Acceptance Criteria
Source-of-Truth Priority Conflict Resolution
Given a record updated in both source and local database When DeltaSync runs Then the system applies the update from the designated source-of-truth and discards local changes
Field-Level Merge Resolution
Given different fields of the same record updated locally and in the source When DeltaSync runs Then the system merges field-level changes, preserving both local and source updates
Conflict Event Logging
Given any conflict during a delta sync When the conflict is resolved Then the system logs an event with timestamp, record ID, conflicting fields, and chosen resolution
Audit Report Generation
Given a completed delta sync session When a user requests an audit report Then the system generates a report listing all conflicts and their resolutions for that session
Custom Resolution Rules Enforcement
Given custom conflict resolution rules configured When DeltaSync processes conflicts Then the system applies the rules in the defined order and resolves each conflict accordingly

PreFlight Check

Validate data integrity before finalizing imports with automated checks for missing values, format inconsistencies, and potential duplicates. PreFlight Check prevents errors from reaching your dashboards, ensuring clean, reliable data every time.

Requirements

Missing Value Detection
"As a small-business manager, I want the system to automatically identify missing data in imported files so that I can address incomplete records before generating dashboards."
Description

Automatically scan imported datasets to identify fields with null, blank, or undefined values. This feature alerts users to incomplete records and highlights affected rows for review within the import workflow. By catching missing data early, it prevents downstream errors in dashboards and ensures decision-making is based on complete datasets. Integration with the drag-and-drop interface allows users to toggle detection rules and view summary statistics on missing values before finalizing imports.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Dataset Upload Scan
Given a user uploads a dataset via the import workflow, When the PreFlight Check automatically runs, Then the system identifies all fields with null, blank, or undefined values and logs the count per column.
User Enables Custom Missing Value Rules
Given the user toggles specific detection rules in the drag-and-drop interface, When the rule is enabled or disabled, Then the system applies or ignores missing value detection for the selected fields accordingly.
Interactive Highlighting of Affected Rows
Given the PreFlight Check finds missing values, When the user views the import preview, Then all rows with missing values are visually highlighted and display a tooltip listing the affected columns.
Summary Statistics Presentation
Given the dataset scan completes, When the user opens the summary panel, Then it displays the number of missing values per column, the percentage of incomplete records, and the total count of affected rows.
Error Prevention Prior to Finalizing Import
Given missing values are detected in the dataset, When the user attempts to finalize the import, Then the system prevents completion, displays an alert about missing data, and provides options to fix issues or override and proceed.
Format Consistency Validation
"As a retail analyst, I want the import tool to check data against my defined formatting rules so that I can ensure consistency and prevent format-related errors in my reports."
Description

Check each data column against predefined or user-defined formatting rules—such as date formats, numeric ranges, and text patterns—and flag any inconsistencies for remediation. The system provides clear indicators of formatting errors and offers suggestions to correct issues. Integration with existing import settings means users can configure format rules once and automatically enforce them on subsequent imports, ensuring consistent data standards across all dashboards.

Acceptance Criteria
Mixed Date Formats in Data Import
Given a date column containing entries in various formats, when the user initiates the PreFlight Check, then the system flags all rows that do not match the predefined format 'YYYY-MM-DD' and provides an option to normalize them.
Numeric Range Violation Detection
Given a numeric column with an allowed range of 0 to 100, when the data is imported, then the system highlights any values outside this range and offers to either correct or remove the invalid entries before finalizing the import.
Text Pattern Mismatch Alert
Given a text column expecting values matching the regex pattern for email addresses, when the user runs the PreFlight Check, then the system identifies entries that fail the pattern, flags them in the UI, and suggests valid corrections.
Automatic Rule Enforcement on Re-import
Given format rules have been defined for a dataset, when the user re-imports updated data, then the system automatically applies the existing rules without prompting and flags any new inconsistencies according to those rules.
User-defined Format Rule Application
Given a user creates a custom format rule for phone numbers, when a data import occurs, then the system validates the phone number column against the user-defined rule, marks non-compliant entries, and offers formatting suggestions.
Duplicate Record Identification
"As an operations manager, I want duplicates to be flagged during data import so that I can merge or remove redundant entries and maintain accurate analytics."
Description

Identify potential duplicate entries within and across datasets by comparing key fields such as IDs, names, and timestamps. Upon detection, the system presents a side-by-side comparison of suspected duplicates, allowing users to confirm merges or delete redundant records. This streamlines data hygiene workflows and prevents skewed analytics due to redundant data points. The feature integrates seamlessly with import previews to ensure duplicates are resolved before data ingestion.

Acceptance Criteria
Side-by-Side Duplicate Comparison
Given two or more records identified as potential duplicates, When the user selects the duplicate resolution option, Then the system displays the records side-by-side with matching and differing fields highlighted and provides options to merge or delete each record.
ID Field Duplicate Detection
Given the import dataset contains records with identical ID values, When the PreFlight Check runs, Then the system flags all records sharing the same ID as duplicates and lists them in the dashboard.
Name Field Fuzzy Matching
Given records have names matching above the defined similarity threshold, When the user uploads data, Then the system identifies these records as potential duplicates and prompts the user for confirmation.
Timestamp Field Consistency Check
Given two records share the same ID and name but differ in timestamp beyond the allowable threshold, When PreFlight Check executes, Then the system flags the timestamp discrepancy and requests user review before import.
Import Preview Duplicate Resolution
Given the user is reviewing the import preview, When duplicates are detected, Then the system prevents final import and requires the user to resolve each duplicate via merge or deletion.
Real-time Validation Feedback
"As a non-technical user, I want to see immediate validation feedback while setting up my data import so that I can fix issues on the fly and avoid post-import errors."
Description

Provide instant feedback on data integrity as users configure imports, displaying validation results inline within the import wizard. Users see live indicators—such as color-coded highlights and tooltips—when issues are detected, enabling immediate correction without completing the full import. This interactive approach reduces iteration time and ensures data quality from the outset. The validation engine runs asynchronously to maintain interface responsiveness.

Acceptance Criteria
Inline Missing Value Indicator
Given a user uploads a data file in the import wizard When a row contains one or more missing values Then each missing-value cell is highlighted in red inline and a tooltip appears on hover explaining the issue
Format Inconsistency Notification
Given a user maps imported columns to data fields When a cell’s value does not match the expected field format (e.g., invalid date or number) Then the cell is highlighted in yellow inline and a tooltip appears on hover describing the inconsistency
Duplicate Record Detection
Given a user imports data containing records with identical key fields When the system detects potential duplicate rows Then all duplicate rows are highlighted in blue inline and a merge icon appears allowing the user to review and resolve duplicates
Real-time Engine Performance
Given a user uploads a large dataset of over 100,000 rows When the validation engine runs asynchronously Then the import wizard UI remains responsive with input lag under 200ms and validation indicators update progressively without freezing
Validation Summary Sidebar
Given validation issues are detected in the imported data When the user opens the validation summary Then a sidebar displays a count of each error type with clickable links that navigate to the first occurrence of each issue in the data grid
Validation Results Export
"As a compliance officer, I want to export a comprehensive validation report so that I can document data quality issues and share them with stakeholders effortlessly."
Description

Allow users to export a detailed report of all validation findings—including missing values, formatting errors, and duplicates—in CSV or PDF format. The report includes row-level details, error types, and suggested fixes, supporting audit requirements and collaboration with data stewards. Users can schedule automatic report generation post-import, facilitating transparent data governance. Reports integrate with sharing options within Dashflow to distribute insights to stakeholders.

Acceptance Criteria
Manual Validation Report Export
Given a completed data import with validation findings available When the user selects the export option and chooses CSV or PDF Then the system generates and downloads a file containing row-level details, error types, and suggested fixes
Scheduled Validation Report Generation
Given the user has scheduled automatic report generation post-import When the data import completes Then the system automatically generates the validation report in the chosen format and delivers it to the specified email or storage location
Report Format and Content Verification
Given a generated CSV or PDF report When the report is opened Then it displays all validation findings with correct column headers, accurate error descriptions, and suggested fixes matching the imported data rows
Dashflow Sharing Integration for Reports
Given a validation report is generated When the user selects the share option Within Dashflow Then the system provides a shareable link or directly distributes the report to selected stakeholders
Performance of Large-Scale Report Export
Given a data import of over 100,000 rows with validation findings When the user exports the report Then the system completes report generation and download within 60 seconds

Integration Marketplace

Explore and add pre-built connectors for a growing list of third-party apps directly within Dashflow. The Integration Marketplace makes it easy to discover, install, and configure new data sources in one click, expanding your analytics ecosystem effortlessly.

Requirements

Marketplace User Interface
"As a small-business manager, I want a central place in Dashflow to explore and view available third-party connectors so that I can easily discover integrations relevant to my needs."
Description

Create a dedicated, intuitive section within Dashflow where users can browse, preview, and interact with available third-party connectors using a tile-based layout, categories, and featured recommendations.

Acceptance Criteria
Browsing Connectors
Given the user opens the Integration Marketplace, When the page loads, Then all available connectors are displayed as tiles sorted alphabetically with their name, icon, and short description within 2 seconds.
Filtering by Category
Given multiple connector categories are available, When the user selects a category filter, Then only tiles belonging to the selected category are displayed and the total count reflects the filtered results.
Previewing Connector Details
Given a connector tile is visible, When the user clicks on the preview button, Then a modal opens showing detailed information including full description, data sources, and configuration steps, and the modal can be closed by the user.
Installing a Connector
Given a connector preview is open, When the user clicks 'Install', Then the system initiates installation, shows a success message upon completion, and the connector appears in the user's connected data sources list.
Viewing Featured Recommendations
Given featured connectors are defined, When the user opens the marketplace, Then a 'Featured' section appears at the top with up to 5 recommended connectors based on popularity.
One-Click Connector Installation
"As a small-business manager, I want to install a new data connector with one click so that I can quickly connect external apps without manual setup steps."
Description

Enable users to install and activate a connector with a single click, automating authentication flows, permission grants, and initial data ingestion without requiring manual intervention.

Acceptance Criteria
Successful Connector Installation
Given a user clicks the "Install" button for a pre-built connector, when the installation completes, then the connector appears in the user’s data sources list as active within 30 seconds without additional input.
Permission Grant Flow Automation
Given the user initiates connector installation, when the system triggers the authentication flow, then all required permissions are requested and granted automatically without manual scope selection.
Initial Data Ingestion Trigger
Given a connector installation succeeds, when the installation process finishes, then an initial data ingestion job starts automatically and ingests at least one record sample visible in the dashboard within 5 minutes.
Connector Authentication Failure Handling
Given the user cancels or fails authentication during installation, when authentication fails, then the system aborts installation, rolls back any partial configuration, and displays an error message with retry guidance.
Installation Status Notification
Given a user installs a connector, when each installation phase begins (Installing, Authenticating, Syncing, Completed), then the UI displays real-time status updates and shows a final success or failure notification.
Connector Configuration Wizard
"As a small-business manager, I want a guided wizard to configure connector settings so that I can ensure data is imported correctly without needing technical knowledge."
Description

Provide a step-by-step guided wizard for configuring each connector’s settings—API keys, field mappings, and refresh intervals—ensuring accurate data syncs and reducing setup errors.

Acceptance Criteria
Entering Valid API Credentials
Given the user is on the Connector Configuration Wizard’s API credentials step When they enter an API key and secret matching the required alphanumeric format and length and click Next Then the wizard accepts the credentials, stores them securely, and enables the Next button
Mapping Data Fields
Given the user is on the field mapping step with available source and target field lists When they map each required target field to a source field and click Validate Then the wizard confirms all mappings are valid and highlights any unmapped required fields
Setting Data Refresh Interval
Given the user is on the refresh interval configuration step When they select an interval option (e.g., hourly, daily, custom cron) and click Save Then the wizard saves the selection, displays the chosen interval summary, and proceeds
Testing Connector Connection
Given the user is on the summary step When they initiate a connection test Then the system attempts to fetch a sample dataset within 30 seconds and displays a success message with sample data preview or shows a retry option
Handling API Credential Errors
Given the user enters invalid or expired API credentials When they attempt to proceed Then the wizard displays an inline error message indicating invalid credentials and prevents advancement until corrected
Connector Discovery and Search
"As a small-business manager, I want to quickly search and filter connectors so that I can find the integrations relevant to my business domain."
Description

Implement robust search, filter, and sorting capabilities within the marketplace, allowing users to find connectors by name, category, popularity, or ratings.

Acceptance Criteria
Search Connectors by Name
Given the Integration Marketplace is open When a user enters a connector name in the search bar Then matching connectors are displayed in real-time
Filter Connectors by Category
Given the list of available connectors When a user selects a category filter Then only connectors belonging to that category are shown
Sort Connectors by Popularity
Given search results or a full connector list When a user chooses to sort by popularity Then connectors are ordered descending by usage count
Search with Partial Matches
Given the search bar is used When a user enters a partial connector name Then relevant connectors containing the partial text are returned
Filter Connectors by Rating Range
Given the list of connectors When a user sets a minimum and maximum rating filter Then only connectors whose average rating falls within the range are displayed
Connector Health and Status Monitoring
"As a small-business manager, I want to monitor the health and sync status of my connectors so that I can identify and troubleshoot data integration issues promptly."
Description

Display real-time status indicators and logs for each installed connector, including last sync time, success or failure status, and detailed error messages to facilitate troubleshooting.

Acceptance Criteria
Dashboard displays connector status summary
Given multiple connectors are installed, When the user navigates to the Connector Health dashboard, Then each connector row displays a colored status indicator (green for success, yellow for warning, red for failure) and the timestamp of the last sync.
Connector detail view shows last sync information
Given the user selects a specific connector from the dashboard, When the connector detail pane opens, Then it displays the last sync time in a human-readable format and the sync duration in seconds under a 'Last Sync' label.
Error log displays detailed error messages
Given a connector sync operation fails, When the user clicks on the error icon for that connector, Then a log view opens showing the full error message, error code, timestamp of failure, and a suggested retry action.
Real-time updates reflect connector health changes
Given connector health statuses change due to sync events, When new status data is received, Then the dashboard updates the status indicator and last sync timestamp within 5 seconds without requiring a page reload.
Notification sent on connector failure
Given a connector fails to sync three times in a row within an hour, When the failure threshold is reached, Then the system sends an in-app notification to the user detailing the connector name and a summary of the latest error.

Guided Walkthrough

Provides an interactive step-by-step wizard that leads users through dashboard setup, from data selection to visualization placement, ensuring even novice users can build effective dashboards without guesswork.

Requirements

Data Source Connector
"As a small-business manager, I want to connect my existing data sources directly through the walkthrough so that I can start building dashboards without manual data imports."
Description

The system must allow users to connect to various business data sources (e.g., CSV files, Google Sheets, SQL databases) through the guided walkthrough interface. Users will be prompted to select or upload their data source at the beginning of the wizard. The connector should validate the data schema, display a preview, and handle authentication securely. Successful integration ensures that downstream visualization steps have access to clean, structured data.

Acceptance Criteria
CSV File Connection and Preview
Given the user selects or uploads a CSV file in the guided walkthrough interface When the file is uploaded Then the system validates the CSV schema against expected column headers and data types And displays a preview of the first 100 rows within 5 seconds without errors
Google Sheets Connector Authentication
Given the user chooses Google Sheets as the data source When the user initiates authentication Then the system presents a secure OAuth flow And upon successful authentication, the user’s sheet list is displayed within 10 seconds
SQL Database Secure Authentication
Given the user opts to connect to an SQL database When the user enters credentials and connection details Then the system establishes a secure TLS connection And validates credentials by retrieving sample metadata within 5 seconds
Data Schema Validation Errors Handling
Given the user’s data source contains schema mismatches When the system validates the schema Then detailed error messages are displayed indicating missing or extra columns And suggestions for resolution are provided
Successful Data Integration for Visualization
Given a valid and authenticated data source When the user completes the connector step Then the system confirms successful integration And makes clean, structured data available for downstream visualization steps
Step Navigation Controls
"As a novice user, I want intuitive navigation controls in the wizard so that I can confidently progress through or revisit setup steps as needed."
Description

The guided walkthrough must include clear navigation controls (e.g., Next, Back, Skip) for each step, allowing users to move forward or backward in the wizard. Visual indicators should show the current step and total steps. The controls should adapt dynamically (e.g., disabling 'Next' until required fields are completed). This ensures users can easily track progress and correct mistakes without restarting.

Acceptance Criteria
Mandatory Field Validation Navigation
Given the user is on a wizard step with required fields and no required fields are filled, When the user views the step, Then the 'Next' button remains disabled; Given the user completes all required fields with valid inputs, When validation passes, Then the 'Next' button becomes enabled; When the user clicks 'Next', Then the wizard advances to the next step.
Backward Navigation and State Preservation
Given the user has progressed beyond the first step and entered data in previous steps, When the user clicks the 'Back' button, Then the wizard navigates to the previous step and all previously entered data and selections are preserved.
Progress Indicator Accuracy
Given the wizard consists of a total of N steps, When the user navigates to step k, Then the progress indicator displays "Step k of N" and highlights the current step in the progress bar corresponding to k.
Skip Functionality at Optional Steps
Given the current step is marked optional, Then the 'Skip' button is visible and enabled; When the user clicks 'Skip', Then the wizard navigates to the next step without validating inputs on the optional step.
Dynamic Control State Update
Given the user corrects invalid required inputs on the current step, When any required input changes from invalid to valid, Then the 'Next' button state updates immediately from disabled to enabled without a page reload.
Data Validation and Recommendations
"As a user unfamiliar with data nuances, I want the wizard to detect and recommend fixes for data issues so that I can trust my dashboard insights."
Description

During data selection and configuration steps, the wizard must automatically validate user inputs (e.g., detecting missing fields, inconsistent data types) and provide real-time recommendations for data cleaning or transformation. The system should highlight potential issues and suggest actions such as imputing missing values, combining data fields, or filtering outliers. This guidance helps ensure reliable visualizations.

Acceptance Criteria
Missing Fields Detection during Data Selection
Given a dataset containing one or more missing fields When the user uploads or selects this dataset in the wizard Then the system must identify each field with missing values and display a visible warning indicator next to the field name within 2 seconds
Inconsistent Data Type Identification
Given a dataset where a field contains mixed data types When the user previews or selects this dataset Then the system must list each field with inconsistent types and provide the predominant data type along with the conflicting entries
Real-Time Recommendations for Missing Value Imputation
Given a field identified with missing values When the user views the validation panel Then the system must provide at least three imputation options (mean, median, mode) and display a brief explanation for each option
Auto-Suggestion for Field Combination
Given two or more fields with similar labels or overlapping values When the user configures the dataset Then the system must suggest combining these fields and display a preview of the resulting combined field
Outlier Filtering and Highlighting
Given a numerical field containing values outside three standard deviations When the user reviews data quality feedback Then the system must flag these outliers, highlight them in the preview, and offer filtering options to exclude or cap them
Save and Resume Progress
"As a busy manager, I want to pause the walkthrough and resume later so that I can manage interruptions without restarting the setup."
Description

The walkthrough should automatically save users' progress at each step and allow them to exit and resume the wizard later without losing configurations. Upon returning, users should see a summary of completed steps and resume exactly where they left off. This feature accommodates users with limited time and prevents loss of work due to interruptions.

Acceptance Criteria
User Pauses Walkthrough and Returns Later
Given a user is midway through the Guided Walkthrough When they exit the wizard Then their current step and all configurations are automatically saved to their account Given the user logs back into Dashflow When they open the Guided Walkthrough Then they see a summary of completed steps and the wizard resumes at the exact step they left off
Configuration Persistence Across Devices
Given a user starts the walkthrough on one device When they log in from a different device Then the walkthrough loads with the same progress and saved configurations And chart selections, data mappings, and layout placements match exactly between devices
Incomplete Step Validation on Resume
Given a user resumes the walkthrough at a previously incomplete step When they return Then the system highlights any missing or invalid inputs from earlier steps And prevents progression until all required fields are correctly filled
Data Source Reconnection After Timeout
Given a user is in the data selection step When their session times out or connection drops Then upon resuming the walkthrough the system reconnects to the data source automatically And preserves any table or file selections made prior to the interruption
Visual Configuration Integrity on Resume
Given a user has placed visualizations in specific positions When they exit and later resume the walkthrough Then all charts reappear in their chosen locations with the same sizing and properties And no visual elements revert to default settings
Contextual Help Overlay
"As a new user, I want on-demand help in each step so that I can learn best practices without leaving the setup process."
Description

Each step in the walkthrough must include a contextual help icon that opens an overlay with concise explanations, best practices, and example use cases related to the current action. The help overlay should not disrupt the wizard flow and must be dismissible. Offering on-demand guidance empowers users to understand the rationale behind each configuration option.

Acceptance Criteria
Visibility of Contextual Help Icon
Given a user navigates to any step in the walkthrough When the step content is rendered Then a help icon is displayed adjacent to the step heading and relevant controls
Launch of Help Overlay
Given the user clicks the help icon When the click event is received Then a modal overlay appears with concise explanations, best practices, and example use cases relevant to the current step
Non-Disruptive Overlay Behavior
Given the help overlay is open When the user interacts with underlying page elements Then interactions outside the overlay are blocked without reloading or navigating away from the current step
Overlay Dismissal Functionality
Given the help overlay is visible When the user clicks the close icon or presses the ESC key Then the overlay closes and focus returns to the help icon without altering the wizard flow
Contextual Content Accuracy
Given the user opens the help overlay on a specific step When the overlay content is reviewed Then the explanations and examples correspond exactly to the actions and options available in that step

ChartWizard

Analyzes uploaded data and offers tailored chart recommendations with explanations, helping users choose the most insightful visualizations for their metrics and speeding up the design process.

Requirements

Automated Data Profiling
"As a small-business manager, I want the tool to analyze my raw data automatically so that I can trust the recommended visualizations without manually inspecting each column."
Description

The system will scan uploaded datasets to detect data types, ranges, distributions, missing values, and key statistical properties. It will generate a metadata summary that informs subsequent chart recommendations and ensures insights are based on accurate data understanding.

Acceptance Criteria
Data Type Detection
Given a dataset with multiple column types (string, integer, float, date) When the user uploads the dataset for profiling Then the system identifies and labels each column with the correct data type and logs an error for any unsupported types
Range and Distribution Analysis
Given numeric columns in the dataset When profiling completes Then the system reports the minimum, maximum, mean, median, and standard deviation for each numeric column
Missing Value Identification
Given the dataset contains missing or null values When profiling is executed Then the system counts the number of missing values per column and calculates the percentage relative to total rows, presenting results in the metadata summary
Key Statistical Property Extraction
Given categorical columns When the dataset is profiled Then the system calculates unique value count, top three most frequent values with counts, and frequency distribution percentages for each categorical column
Metadata Summary Generation
Given profiling results are available When profiling completes Then the system generates a JSON metadata summary including column names, data types, statistical properties, missing value metrics, and overall data quality score adhering to the predefined schema
Context-Aware Chart Recommendations
"As a non-technical user, I want to receive tailored visualization suggestions so that I can quickly choose the best chart for my specific business question."
Description

Based on the data profile and user-selected metrics or goals, the feature will suggest the top three most appropriate chart types, ranking them by relevance. It integrates business rules (e.g., time series for trends, categorical for distributions) to speed up decision-making and reduce chart selection errors.

Acceptance Criteria
Time Series Trend Analysis
Given a dataset with a time-based field and a quantitative metric, When the user triggers ChartWizard, Then the system ranks Line Chart as #1, Area Chart as #2, and Scatter Plot as #3 and displays rationale for each.
Categorical Distribution Review
Given a dataset with a single categorical field, When recommendations are requested, Then Bar Chart is ranked #1, Pie Chart #2, and Histogram #3 with explanatory text for each suggestion.
Proportional Comparison Goal
Given the user selects "Compare proportions" as a goal, When ChartWizard generates suggestions, Then Pie Chart, Donut Chart, and Stacked Bar Chart are recommended in descending order of relevance with business-rule justifications.
KPI Monitoring Over Time
Given a KPI metric over a date field, When the user invokes recommendations, Then Line Chart, Sparkline, and Area Chart appear ranked 1-3 and each includes a concise explanation of its relevance.
Mixed Data Recommendation
Given the dataset contains both categorical and numerical fields, When ChartWizard provides suggestions, Then Bar Chart, Scatter Plot, and Box Plot are offered as the top three options, each accompanied by a ranking and an explanation.
Natural-Language Explanation Generator
"As a first-time user, I want to read simple explanations for each suggested chart so that I understand why it’s the best choice for my data."
Description

For each recommended chart, the system will produce a concise, plain-language explanation of why that chart is suitable, highlighting key data insights (e.g., “This line chart highlights monthly sales trends”). These explanations help users understand rationale and build trust in recommendations.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Chart Recommendation Explanation
Given a recommended chart is displayed When the user selects the chart Then the system generates a concise plain-language explanation of no more than 50 words highlighting the chart type, key insight, and at least one data point
Edge Case with Sparse Data
Given the uploaded dataset contains fewer than 5 data points When the chart recommendation is generated Then the explanation notes data sparsity and advises on data completeness to ensure insight validity
Multi-Chart Batch Explanation
Given multiple chart recommendations are presented When the user requests explanations Then the system provides individual explanations for each chart in the order they appear without omissions or duplication
Localized Language Support
Given the user locale is set to Spanish When the explanation is generated Then the system produces the explanation entirely in Spanish with correct grammar and localized terminology
Real-Time Data Update Reflection
Given the user uploads an updated dataset When the chart recommendations refresh Then the corresponding explanations update automatically to reflect new insights within 2 seconds
Interactive Recommendation Preview
"As a dashboard creator, I want to interactively test recommended charts so that I can tailor their appearance and focus before adding them to my dashboard."
Description

Users will be able to preview each recommended chart in a live canvas, adjust parameters (e.g., date range, color palette), and immediately see updates. This empowers users to refine visualizations before finalizing and embedding them in their dashboards.

Acceptance Criteria
Default Chart Preview Rendering
Given a user selects a recommended chart When the preview loads Then the chart is rendered within the live canvas using sample data And loading time is under 2 seconds
Dynamic Date Range Adjustment
Given a user modifies the date range slider When the selection is applied Then the chart preview updates within 1 second reflecting the selected range And axis scales adjust accordingly
Color Palette Modification
Given a user selects a new color palette When the palette is applied Then the chart preview immediately updates colors And the legend and labels reflect the new palette
Parameter Reset to Defaults
Given a user clicks the reset button When the action is confirmed Then all adjustments revert to the original recommended settings And the preview refreshes to the default state
Chart Embedding Post-Preview
Given a user finalizes settings in the preview When clicking 'Embed' Then the chart with current parameters is inserted into the dashboard And the embedded chart matches the preview exactly
User Feedback Loop
"As a returning user, I want to provide feedback on chart suggestions so that future recommendations better match my style and needs."
Description

After presenting chart suggestions, the system will allow users to rate or reject each recommendation. This feedback will be captured to improve future suggestion accuracy and adapt the recommendation engine to individual preferences over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Rating a Single Chart Suggestion
Given a user is viewing a recommended chart, when the user selects a rating (1 to 5 stars), then the system must record the rating, store it with the corresponding chart metadata, and display a confirmation message within 2 seconds.
Rejecting an Unhelpful Chart Suggestion
Given a user sees a chart recommendation they don’t want, when the user clicks the 'Reject' button and optionally selects a rejection reason, then the system must log the rejection event with the provided reason and remove the chart from the active suggestion list immediately.
Submitting Multiple Feedback Entries
Given a user reviews several chart recommendations in one session, when the user rates or rejects each suggestion consecutively, then the system must capture and store feedback for every recommendation without loss or overwrite.
Feedback Persistence Across Sessions
Given a user has provided feedback on chart recommendations, when the user logs out and logs back in later, then the system must retrieve and display all previous feedback entries associated with that user account.
Impact of Feedback on Future Recommendations
Given a user has rated or rejected past chart suggestions, when the user uploads new data and requests recommendations, then the system must adjust the ranking of suggested charts to prioritize visualization types aligned with the user’s historic feedback.
Multi-Source Data Support
"As an analyst, I want the tool to recommend charts based on combined data from different systems so that I can visualize cross-source insights without manual merges."
Description

The recommendation engine will handle joined datasets from multiple sources (CSV, databases, APIs), profiling each source and the combined view to suggest charts that reflect relationships across datasets (e.g., correlation charts).

Acceptance Criteria
Uploading and Profiling Multiple CSV and Database Sources
Given the user has selected a CSV file and a database table When the engine uploads both sources Then each source is profiled separately showing summary statistics, data types, and record counts
Join and Profile API and CSV Data Sources
Given a user has connected an API endpoint and uploaded a CSV When the user defines valid join keys Then the combined dataset is profiled and relationship cardinality and key distributions are identified
Generate Correlation Chart for Combined Sources
Given a combined dataset with numeric fields from two distinct sources When the user requests chart recommendations Then the engine includes correlation scatter plots and provides explanations of variable relationships and strength
Handle Inconsistent Data Schemas Across Sources
Given data sources with mismatched column names or incompatible types When the engine profiles them Then it suggests schema alignment actions, allows user-assisted mapping, and validates the aligned view before suggesting charts
Performance under Large Multi-Source Datasets
Given multiple large datasets totaling over 1 million rows When the sources are uploaded, joined, and profiled Then profiling completes within 30 seconds and recommendation generation completes within an additional 15 seconds

StoryFlow

Automatically assembles a narrative sequence of multiple charts and key highlights, transforming raw data into a cohesive story that managers can present to stakeholders with minimal manual effort.

Requirements

SmartChart Sequencer
"As a small-business manager, I want the system to automatically sequence charts into a logical storyline so that I can quickly present insights without manual sorting."
Description

Automatically arranges selected charts into a coherent narrative sequence by analyzing data trends, dependencies, and logical flow. This feature enables non-technical users to generate a structured storyline without manual sorting, reducing presentation prep time and ensuring data-driven continuity across the StoryFlow output.

Acceptance Criteria
Multiple Chart Selection Sequencing
Given a set of selected charts with distinct data dimensions, when the user activates SmartChart Sequencer, then the system orders the charts based on chronological data progression and trend significance, placing the highest-impact trend first.
Dependency-Based Chart Arrangement
Given charts that share dependent data variables, when sequenced, then related charts are placed consecutively, ensuring data dependencies are logically grouped and narrative transitions remain coherent.
Handling Missing Data
Given selected charts containing missing or incomplete data points, when sequenced, then the system identifies and flags these charts, positions them last in the sequence, and provides an optional notification to the user about data gaps.
User-Driven Reordering Override
Given the initial automated chart sequence, when the user manually drags a chart to a new position, then the system preserves the manual ordering, updates the narrative flow, and does not re-run the automated sequencing without user prompt.
Performance Under Volume
Given a selection of 20 or more charts, when SmartChart Sequencer runs, then the sequencing completes within 5 seconds while maintaining correct ordering based on algorithmic analysis of trends and dependencies.
Key Insight Extractor
"As a non-technical manager, I want the system to extract and highlight key data points so that I can focus on critical insights without manual analysis."
Description

Identifies and highlights the most significant data points, anomalies, and trends within each chart, generating concise commentary snippets. Integrates with StoryFlow to embed these highlights directly into the narrative, ensuring stakeholders focus on critical insights without sifting through raw data.

Acceptance Criteria
Key Insight Extraction Trigger on Chart Load
Given a chart is loaded in StoryFlow When the chart finishes rendering Then the Key Insight Extractor automatically runs and identifies the top three most significant data points, anomalies, or trends
Anomaly Detection in Time Series Data
Given a time series chart with daily sales data When a data point deviates beyond two standard deviations from the mean Then the extractor highlights the anomaly and generates a commentary snippet explaining its significance
Trend Identification Across Multiple Charts
Given a user selects multiple related charts When the extraction process completes Then the system identifies and summarizes any consistent upward or downward trends spanning the selected charts
Integration with StoryFlow Narrative Builder
Given a StoryFlow narrative is being assembled When charts and insights are added Then each chart’s highlighted insights are embedded into the narrative in the correct sequence without manual input
Commentary Snippet Formatting and Presentation
Given commentary snippets are generated When displayed in the exported narrative Then each snippet is no longer than 140 characters, follows the format "<Chart Name>: <Insight>", and includes proper punctuation
Narrative Template Library
"As a user, I want to select a narrative template so that the story fits my audience and purpose without designing the structure from scratch."
Description

Provides a collection of customizable narrative templates tailored for various business contexts (e.g., monthly reports, sales reviews, operational briefs). Templates define structure, tone, and formatting for StoryFlow, allowing users to quickly apply a suitable storyline framework and maintain brand consistency.

Acceptance Criteria
Template Selection Interface
Given the user navigates to the Narrative Template Library When they search or filter by context Then the system displays matching templates within 3 seconds
Template Loading into StoryFlow
Given a user selects a narrative template When the template is loaded Then all sections, placeholders, and default styling are correctly applied to the StoryFlow draft
Template Customization Options
Given a loaded template When the user modifies placeholder text, tone settings, or section order Then the changes are previewed in real-time and saved to the draft
Brand Consistency Enforcement
Given the user’s organization has defined brand settings When a template is applied Then the system automatically incorporates the organization’s color palette, logo, and font settings
Narrative Preview Functionality
Given a user finalizes edits When they click ‘Preview Narrative’ Then a formatted, export-ready view is displayed matching the final StoryFlow output
Export to PDF Capability
Given the user is satisfied with the narrative When they click ‘Export to PDF’ Then the system generates a downloadable file preserving layout, formatting, and embedded charts
Collaborative Story Editing
"As a team member, I want to collaborate on the story in real time so that we can co-edit and finalize reports faster."
Description

Enables real-time multi-user collaboration on StoryFlow narratives, with live commenting, version history, and role-based permissions. Facilitates teamwork by allowing stakeholders to co-edit, review, and approve story drafts simultaneously within the Dashflow environment.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Co-Editing
Given two or more users have the same StoryFlow narrative open in Dashflow, when any user adds, modifies, or deletes a narrative element, then all other users should see the change propagated within 2 seconds without data conflicts or loss.
In-Context Live Commenting
Given a user selects a chart or text block and adds a comment, when the comment is submitted, then all collaborators currently viewing the narrative see the new comment appear inline immediately and can reply in a threaded view.
Story Version History Retrieval
Given a user clicks the version history button for a StoryFlow narrative, when the version history panel opens, then it displays a chronological list of all saved versions with timestamps, authors' names, and change summaries.
Permission-Based Access Control
Given an admin assigns viewer, commenter, or editor roles to users for a narrative, when a user with a specific role accesses the narrative, then their available actions are limited accordingly: viewers can only view, commenters can view and comment, editors can view, comment, and edit the narrative.
Conflict Detection and Resolution
Given two users attempt to edit the same narrative element simultaneously, when the system detects conflicting edits, then it locks the element for one user and prompts the other with a notification to review and merge changes, ensuring no data is overwritten without user acknowledgement.
Multi-format Story Export
"As a manager, I want to export the story to PowerPoint and PDF so that I can share it with stakeholders easily."
Description

Allows users to export completed StoryFlow narratives and accompanying charts into PowerPoint, PDF, and shareable web links. Exports retain layout, design elements, and interactive chart capabilities (where supported), streamlining distribution and presentation preparation.

Acceptance Criteria
PowerPoint Export Scenario
Given a completed StoryFlow narrative, when the user selects export to PowerPoint, then a .pptx file downloads that opens in PowerPoint retaining slide order, layout, design elements, and editable chart objects where supported.
PDF Export Scenario
Given a completed StoryFlow narrative, when the user selects export to PDF, then a PDF file downloads that preserves page layout, design elements, and includes static high-resolution images of all charts.
Web Link Export Scenario
Given a completed StoryFlow narrative, when the user generates a shareable web link, then a unique URL is created that displays the narrative online with interactive chart capabilities and respects view permissions.
Theme Preservation Export Scenario
Given a completed StoryFlow narrative with a custom theme applied, when the user exports to any format, then the exported file retains the theme’s color palette, fonts, and styling for all slides or pages.
Large Storyflow Export Scenario
Given a StoryFlow narrative exceeding 20 slides or pages, when the user exports, then the system generates an export that splits content into appropriately paginated slides or pages without breaking the narrative flow or losing content.

Insight Popovers

Displays contextual, inline tooltips and quick tips directly on dashboard elements, explaining chart interpretations and suggesting next steps so users can learn best practices in real time.

Requirements

Popover Trigger Points
"As a dashboard user, I want insight popovers to appear when I hover over or click important chart elements so that I can receive real-time explanations and suggestions exactly when I need them."
Description

Define and implement specific dashboard elements and user actions that trigger insight popovers. This includes identifying key chart types, dashboard widgets, and user interaction events (hover, click, focus) that should display contextual tooltips. Ensure triggers are responsive, intuitive, and do not interrupt primary user workflows. The implementation must seamlessly integrate with existing component listeners and support configuration for custom trigger thresholds.

Acceptance Criteria
Hovering Over Bar Chart Segment
Given a user hovers the cursor over any bar chart segment for at least 300ms, when the hover input is detected, then an insight popover should appear adjacent to the segment within 200ms, displaying the chart interpretation and next-step suggestions. The popover must be fully visible and not obscure critical data.
Clicking Line Chart Data Point
Given a user clicks on a data point in a line chart widget, when the click event occurs, then a contextual tooltip should appear above the data point, providing interpretation and actionable tips. The popover should dismiss if the user clicks outside the widget or performs another chart action.
Keyboard Focus on Widget Header
Given a user navigates to a dashboard widget header using keyboard navigation (tab key), when the header gains focus, then a popover should appear next to the header with keyboard-accessible content. The popover must be dismissible with the escape key and should not appear for programmatic focus.
Rapid Sequential Interactions
Given a user rapidly switches hover between multiple dashboard elements within 500ms, when each hover is detected, then only one popover should be visible at a time; new popovers replace existing ones. Popovers should not flicker or stack, ensuring smooth transitions.
Custom Trigger Threshold Configuration
Given an administrator sets custom trigger thresholds in the settings (e.g., hover delay, click activation), when the thresholds are updated, then the popovers across all widgets should respect the new configuration values immediately without requiring a page refresh.
Contextual Content Library
"As a small-business manager, I want tooltips that explain each chart in simple language so that I can quickly understand the insights without needing a data analyst."
Description

Develop a centralized repository of tooltip content, including explanations, best-practice tips, and next-step suggestions for each chart type and data pattern. Content should be categorized by context (e.g., trend, anomaly, comparison) and support versioning and localization. Integrate content retrieval logic so popovers dynamically fetch the appropriate message based on data context and user role.

Acceptance Criteria
Display Trend Context Tooltip
Given a trend chart is rendered for the user When the user hovers over the chart element that indicates a trend Then the system must fetch the tooltip message categorized as “trend” from the content library matching the user’s locale and current version And display it within 200ms of hover
Display Anomaly Context Tooltip
Given a data anomaly is detected in the dashboard When a manager-role user clicks on the anomaly indicator Then the popover should retrieve and display the “anomaly” category explanation from the library for the manager role And include best-practice next-step suggestions
Display Comparison Context Tooltip
Given two data series are compared on a chart When the user requests a tooltip for the comparison element Then the system retrieves the “comparison” category content from the library appropriate for the user’s role and locale And shows it as an inline popover within the chart area
Serve Correct Content Version
Given multiple versions of tooltip content exist in the library When the popover retrieval logic is invoked Then the system selects and returns the content tagged with the latest approved version for the user’s role and context And does not return outdated versions
Serve Localized Tooltip Content
Given a user’s locale preference is set to a non-English language When retrieving tooltip content for any chart context Then the system returns the content translated and stored under the user’s locale And falls back to English if the locale-specific content is unavailable
Adaptive Popover Display
"As a mobile user, I want popovers to reposition themselves to fit my screen so that I can read the content without it being cut off."
Description

Implement adaptive sizing and positioning logic for popovers so they remain fully visible within the dashboard viewport. The system should calculate available space and adjust orientation (top, bottom, left, right) and size dynamically. Ensure compatibility across different screen resolutions and responsive layouts, preventing overflow or clipping of content.

Acceptance Criteria
Popover remains within viewport when displayed at top edge
Given a chart element within 50px of the dashboard top, when the user triggers the popover, then the popover appears below the element and is fully visible within the viewport.
Popover adjusts size for narrow viewport widths
Given the dashboard viewport width is less than 400px, when a popover is triggered, then the popover width adjusts to a maximum of 90% of the viewport width and its content wraps without horizontal scroll bars.
Popover repositions for high-density element clusters
Given multiple dashboard elements are densely spaced, when the user hovers over any element, then the popover positions to the side with the most available space to avoid overlapping neighboring elements.
Popover scales content without overflow in responsive layouts
Given a responsive layout change occurs, when the dashboard reflows elements, then any visible popovers recalculate their size and position and remain fully visible without clipping or overflow.
Popover orientation updates on window resize
Given the user resizes the browser window while a popover is visible, when the resize action completes, then the popover automatically reorients and resizes to remain fully visible within the updated viewport.
User Interaction Controls
"As an accessibility-focused user, I want to dismiss or pin tooltips and navigate them via keyboard so that I can control my learning experience efficiently."
Description

Provide intuitive controls within each popover for users to navigate between tips, expand/collapse sections, and dismiss or pin insights. Include keyboard accessibility (tab, escape key) and maintain ARIA attributes for screen readers. Store user preferences (e.g., “Don’t show this again”) to personalize the popover experience and minimize repetitive interruptions.

Acceptance Criteria
Keyboard Navigation for Popover Controls
Given a popover is open, when the user presses Tab, focus moves sequentially through all interactive elements; when the user presses Shift+Tab, focus moves in reverse order; when the user presses Escape, the popover closes.
Pinning and Dismissing Popovers
Given a popover is open, when the user clicks the pin icon, the popover remains visible across dashboard navigations; when the user clicks the dismiss icon, the popover closes and does not reappear in the current session.
Preference Storage for 'Don't Show Again'
Given a user selects “Don’t show this again” for a specific insight, then the preference is saved to the user’s profile and no further popovers of the same type are displayed across sessions.
Section Expand/Collapse Functionality
Given a popover contains expandable sections, when the user clicks an expand control, the section reveals its content; when the user clicks the collapse control, the section hides its content and the state persists if the popover is reopened or pinned.
Screen Reader Announcement of Popover Content
Given a popover appears, then it has appropriate ARIA roles and labels so that a screen reader announces the popover title and each interactive control, and focus is moved into the popover.
Analytics and Feedback Tracking
"As a product manager, I want to see analytics on which tips users engage with most so that I can refine content to maximize user learning and satisfaction."
Description

Track metrics for popover engagement, such as view counts, dismissals, pin actions, and time spent per tip. Capture user feedback within popovers (like upvote/downvote) and aggregate data for reporting. Integrate with the product’s analytics dashboard to monitor effectiveness of insights and guide future content improvements.

Acceptance Criteria
Popover Viewed by User
Given a popover is rendered on the dashboard When it becomes visible in the user’s viewport Then the system logs a 'popover_view' event with userId, popoverId, and timestamp
Popover Dismissed by User
Given a user clicks the dismiss button on a popover When the click is registered Then the system logs a 'popover_dismiss' event with userId, popoverId, timestamp, and the popover no longer reappears in the session
Popover Pinned by User
Given a user clicks the pin icon on a popover When the click action completes Then the system logs a 'popover_pin' event with userId, popoverId, timestamp and the popover remains visible across dashboards until manually unpinned
User Spends Time on a Popover Tip
Given a popover is open on the dashboard When the user keeps the popover open for more than 5 seconds Then the system logs a 'popover_engagement_time' event with userId, popoverId, and total time viewed
User Provides Feedback on Popover Tip
Given a popover displays upvote/downvote buttons When a user selects an upvote or downvote Then the system logs a 'popover_feedback' event with userId, popoverId, feedbackType, and timestamp
Analytics Dashboard Displays Popover Engagement Metrics
Given an admin opens the analytics dashboard When they navigate to the 'Popover Insights' section Then the dashboard displays aggregated metrics for view counts, dismissals, pins, engagement time, and feedback volumes updated within 5 minutes

SkillBuilder Pathways

Adapts coach guidance based on user interactions and proficiency, unlocking advanced tips and mini-tutorials as users progress, helping them build data skills and dashboard expertise over time.

Requirements

Initial Skill Assessment
"As a new user, I want the system to assess my current data and dashboard skills so that I receive tailored guidance from the start."
Description

Conduct a baseline evaluation of each user’s existing data analysis and dashboard creation abilities through interactive questions and usage data, establishing a starting proficiency level to inform personalized coaching pathways.

Acceptance Criteria
Self-Assessment Questionnaire Launch
Given a new user lands on the Initial Skill Assessment page When they start the self-assessment module Then the system displays at least 8 interactive multiple-choice and scenario-based questions reflective of data analysis fundamentals
Response Validation and Progress Tracking
Given a user answers each question When they submit a response Then the system records the answer, provides real-time feedback on correctness, and updates a visible progress bar
Usage Data Ingestion
Given the system has access to a user’s past dashboard interactions When the assessment is initiated Then usage metadata (e.g., number of dashboards built, chart types used) is automatically retrieved and factored into the proficiency calculation
Proficiency Level Calculation
Given questionnaire results and usage data When the user completes the assessment Then the system calculates a baseline proficiency score on a 0–100 scale and assigns a beginner, intermediate, or advanced label according to predefined thresholds
Personalized Coaching Pathway Initialization
Given a calculated proficiency level When the assessment concludes Then the system generates and displays a tailored coaching pathway overview with recommended tips, tutorials, and milestones aligned to the user’s skill level
Adaptive Content Scheduling
"As a user, I want the system to schedule coach prompts at optimal times based on my usage patterns so that I learn effectively without feeling overwhelmed."
Description

Dynamically adjust the timing, frequency, and complexity of in-app coach prompts and tips based on individual user interactions, performance metrics, and engagement history to optimize learning without causing overload.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Onboarding Engagement
Given a new user completes their first dashboard setup, when the system detects the completion, then three coach prompts are delivered within 10 minutes, spaced at least 3 minutes apart.
Mid-Level Interaction Adjustment
Given an active user with moderate engagement, when their average interaction response time falls below 30 seconds and positive feedback exceeds 60%, then the system reduces tip frequency by 20% and increases tip complexity by one level.
Performance Improvement Trigger
Given a user achieves an 80% success rate over their last five tasks, when the system logs this performance metric, then two advanced mini-tutorials unlock and complexity rating increments by one level.
Low Engagement Re-Engagement
Given a user has no recorded interactions for 48 hours, when inactivity is detected, then the system sends a re-engagement coach prompt and schedules daily follow-up prompts until activity resumes.
Advanced Tip Unlocking
Given a user completes ten coach tips with positive ratings, when the completion threshold is reached, then the system automatically unlocks the advanced tips module and retires basic tips.
Advanced Tip Unlocking
"As a user, I want to unlock advanced tips when I master basic dashboard functions so that I can continue to build my expertise."
Description

Automatically unlock and present advanced best practices, shortcuts, and expert recommendations once users consistently demonstrate mastery of foundational dashboard tasks, motivating progression and continuous skill building.

Acceptance Criteria
Consistent Mastery Detection
Given a user completes three consecutive sessions of foundational dashboard tasks with at least 90% accuracy, When this threshold is reached, Then the system flags the user as proficient and unlocks the corresponding advanced tip.
Advanced Tip Presentation
Given an advanced tip has been unlocked for a user, When the user next opens the SkillBuilder Pathways screen, Then the newly unlocked tip is displayed at the top of the recommendations list.
Tip Access from Dashboard
Given one or more advanced tips are unlocked, When the user views their SkillBuilder Pathways overview, Then the user can access all unlocked tips via a dedicated ‘Unlocked Tips’ section.
In-App Notification Delivery
Given an advanced tip is unlocked, When the unlock event occurs, Then the system sends an in-app notification titled ‘New Advanced Tip Unlocked’ linking directly to the tip content.
Progress Tracking Update
Given a user unlocks an advanced tip, When the user’s progression metrics are recalculated, Then the progression bar increases accordingly and reflects the new skill level.
Mini-Tutorial Delivery
"As a user, I want to access mini-tutorials relevant to my current task so that I can learn new features in context."
Description

Provide context-sensitive, interactive mini-tutorials and step-by-step walkthroughs triggered by specific user actions or on-demand requests, enabling hands-on learning of new features directly within the application.

Acceptance Criteria
On-Demand Mini-Tutorial Request
Given a user clicks the Help icon on a dashboard element When the user requests a mini-tutorial Then the tutorial modal appears within 2 seconds; covers the selected element’s context; and allows forward and backward navigation through steps.
Contextual Tutorial Trigger on Feature Discovery
Given a user accesses a new chart recommendation When the user hovers over the chart icon for the first time Then an interactive walkthrough is triggered; provides guidance on chart customization; and highlights key interface controls.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough Completion Check
Given a user starts a walkthrough triggered by a tooltip When the user completes all steps Then the system marks the tutorial as completed; no further prompts appear for the same feature; and the user receives a completion message.
Advanced Tip Unlock on Proficiency Milestone
Given the user has completed three distinct tutorials with at least 80% step completion When the user next triggers any tutorial Then advanced tips unlock; and the user can access mini-tutorials for advanced features.
Repeated Tutorial Dismissal Handling
Given the user dismisses the mini-tutorial three times in a session When the user initiates the same tutorial a fourth time Then the system displays a banner offering to disable further prompts; and honors the user’s choice in subsequent sessions.
Progress Tracking Dashboard
"As a user, I want to see my learning progress and achievements in one place so that I can understand my development path."
Description

Offer a dedicated learning dashboard where users can track their completed tutorials, unlocked tips, proficiency levels, and recommended next steps, fostering transparency and motivation in their skill development journey.

Acceptance Criteria
Tracking Completed Tutorials
Given a user completes a tutorial, when they return to the Progress Tracking Dashboard, then the completed tutorial appears in the “Completed Tutorials” list with a timestamp within 5 seconds.
Unlocking New Tips
Given a user’s proficiency level meets or exceeds a predefined threshold for a tutorial, when they view the learning dashboard, then new tips relevant to that tutorial are unlocked and visibly highlighted.
Displaying Proficiency Levels
Given the user has completed multiple tutorials, when the Progress Tracking Dashboard loads, then each skill displays a proficiency level on a 5-tier scale and a tooltip explains the scale clearly.
Recommendation of Next Steps
Given the user’s proficiency data across all skills, when the dashboard computes recommendations, then the top three next-step tutorials or tips are listed under “Recommended Next Steps” sorted by lowest proficiency.
Progress Summary Export
Given a user clicks the “Export Summary” button, when they choose PDF or CSV format, then the system generates and downloads a file containing completed tutorials, proficiency levels, unlocked tips, and recommendations.

AskCoach Q&A

Features an on-demand chat interface where users can ask dashboard-related questions—such as customizing filters or refining visuals—and receive instant, AI-powered answers and code-free solutions.

Requirements

Instant Query Interpretation
"As a small-business manager, I want to ask natural-language questions about my dashboard so that I can quickly get guidance without needing technical expertise."
Description

Parse and interpret user natural-language queries about dashboard customization and data insights, transforming them into actionable insights and configuration steps within the product.

Acceptance Criteria
User submits a simple filter query
Given a dashboard with data loaded When the user asks 'Show me sales by region' Then the system correctly identifies 'region' as a filter dimension, applies the filter, and displays sales data grouped by region.
User requests a comparative analysis
Given sales data is present When the user asks 'Compare this month’s sales to last month' Then the system parses the time comparison intent, generates a comparative chart highlighting the two periods, and displays percentage change.
User refines date range via natural language
Given date fields are available When the user asks 'Show orders from January to March 2025' Then the system interprets the specified date range, applies the corresponding filters to the orders dataset, and updates the dashboard accordingly.
User asks for visualization recommendations
Given a selected metric exists When the user asks 'What’s the best chart for revenue trend?' Then the system analyzes the metric’s historical data, recommends the most appropriate chart type, and displays a preview of the recommendation.
User clarifies an ambiguous query
Given an ambiguous request like 'Show performance' When the system prompts for clarification and the user specifies 'performance by product category' Then the system updates the query interpretation to apply a product category filter and displays the corresponding performance insights.
Context-Aware Recommendations
"As a retail manager, I want the AI to suggest appropriate visualizations based on my query context so that I can choose the most insightful chart quickly."
Description

Analyze the current dashboard context and user query to deliver targeted suggestions for filters, visuals, and data transformations that align with the user’s ongoing analysis.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter Suggestion Based on Active Widget Context
Given a user views a dashboard widget showing product sales; When the user asks “Which filters should I apply to isolate top-selling regions?”; Then the system displays at least three relevant filter suggestions based on the product dimension and geographic context.
Visualization Recommendation for Trend Analysis
Given a user queries “How can I visualize sales over time?” for a line chart widget; When the user clicks “AskCoach”; Then the system recommends a line chart type with appropriate axes labels and date granularity matching the time series data.
Data Transformation Advice for Time Series
Given a user requests “Show me month-over-month growth” on a quarterly sales dashboard; When AskCoach processes the context; Then the system suggests applying a time-based percentage change transformation and provides a preview of the transformed data.
Handling No Relevant Recommendations
Given AskCoach cannot find context-aware suggestions; When a user asks a question unrelated to current data context; Then the system gracefully responds with “No context-aware recommendations available” and offers to guide through a generic help article.
User Acceptance of Recommended Suggestions
Given the system displays recommendations; When the user selects a suggested filter or visualization; Then the dashboard updates accordingly and the system logs the acceptance action for future machine learning improvements.
Code-Free Solution Generation
"As a service manager, I want the system to execute filter adjustments and visual tweaks automatically so that I don't need coding skills to customize my dashboard."
Description

Automatically generate and apply code-free, step-by-step instructions directly within the UI, allowing users to implement recommended changes with a single click.

Acceptance Criteria
Inline Step-by-Step Instruction Generation
Given the user opens the AskCoach Q&A interface on an existing dashboard When the user requests code-free, step-by-step instructions for a specific visualization change Then the UI displays a numbered list of actionable steps Within 2 seconds of the request
One-Click Application of Recommended Changes
Given the user views generated instructions for a dashboard change When the user clicks the ‘Apply Changes’ button Then all recommended modifications are applied to the dashboard in a single operation Without requiring manual edits and within 3 seconds
Automated Filter Adjustment via AskCoach
Given AskCoach recommends a filter modification When the user accepts the recommendation Then the dashboard’s filter panel updates with the new filter values And the data refreshes to reflect the updated filter
Visual Refinement Recommendation Integration
Given AskCoach suggests changing the chart type or color scheme When the user applies the suggestion Then the dashboard chart updates to the recommended type and style And axis labels, legends, and colors match the recommendation
Confirmation and Undo of Applied Changes
Given the user applies code-free instructions When the operation completes Then a confirmation message ‘Changes applied successfully’ is displayed for at least 5 seconds And an ‘Undo’ option is presented that reverts the changes when clicked
Multi-Turn Conversation Support
"As a store owner, I want to refine my filter settings through follow-up questions so that I can iteratively improve my dashboard without repeating context."
Description

Maintain conversational context across multiple question-and-answer turns, enabling users to refine their dashboard configurations through follow-up queries without re-explaining prior steps.

Acceptance Criteria
Follow-up Filter Refinement
Given a dashboard with an active date filter set to last month When the user asks "Change the date range to this month" Then the system updates the date filter to the current month without altering other filters or visualizations
Visualization Parameter Adjustment
Given a bar chart displaying sales by region When the user asks "Switch to a line chart showing the same data" Then the system changes the chart type to line and retains the underlying sales data and applied filters
Contextual Pronoun Reference
Given the conversation context includes a filter for product category 'Electronics' When the user asks "What about Clothing?" Then the system applies a filter for 'Clothing' category and presents relevant data without requiring explicit redefinition
Undo Previous Action
Given the user has applied a region filter for 'North America' When the user says "Undo that" Then the system removes the last applied filter and updates all visualizations accordingly
New Topic with Context Reset
Given an ongoing multi-turn conversation about sales trends When the user asks "Start over" Then the system clears the existing context and confirms readiness for a new query
Query History & Analytics
"As a small-business manager, I want to review past AI interactions and see which suggestions I tried so that I can learn and reuse effective queries."
Description

Store and display a history of user queries and AI responses, along with analytics on query frequency and action success, to enhance transparency and user learning.

Acceptance Criteria
View Query History Overview
Given user opens the Query History page When the page loads Then the system displays the last 20 queries in reverse chronological order showing timestamp, full query text, and AI response summary
Filter Query History by Date Range
Given user selects a start and end date on the history page When the user applies the date filter Then only queries with timestamps within the inclusive date range are displayed
View Query Frequency Analytics
Given user navigates to the Analytics tab When the tab loads Then the system displays a bar chart of daily query counts for the past 7 days and a table of the top 5 most frequent queries
View Action Success Rate Analytics
Given user is on the Analytics tab When the analytics section loads Then the system calculates and displays the percentage of queries that resulted in a recorded user action over the past 30 days
Export Query History Data
Given user clicks the Export button on the history page When export is initiated Then the system generates and downloads a CSV file within 10 seconds containing columns: timestamp, query, AI response, and actionTaken flag

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Press Coverage

Imagined press coverage for this groundbreaking product concept.

P

Dashflow Unveils AI-Powered Narrative Highlights and Story Sequencer for Effortless Data Storytelling

Imagined Press Article

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 2025-07-21 – Dashflow, the leading dashboard solution for small businesses, today announced the launch of its AI-powered Narrative Highlights and Story Sequencer features, revolutionizing the way non-technical teams interpret and present data insights. This update empowers managers, marketers, and financial analysts to transform raw metrics into compelling narratives, driving faster decision-making and improved collaboration without complex training or coding. Introduction Small-business operators often struggle to translate data into actionable insights, facing time-consuming manual analysis and the risk of misinterpretation. Dashflow’s new Narrative Highlights automatically generate concise bullet-style summaries beneath each chart, pinpointing key trend shifts, anomalies, and contextual drivers. Combined with Story Sequencer, users can link multiple charts into a cohesive, step-by-step storyline. This powerful duo reduces storytelling friction, enabling teams to present data-driven recommendations with clarity and confidence. Feature Details • Narrative Highlights: As soon as a chart is rendered, Dashflow’s AI engine scans historical patterns, seasonal fluctuations, and correlation signals. It then crafts a 50–70 word summary that highlights the most significant changes and suggests possible reasons. For example, a sudden spike in weekend sales may be annotated with, “Weekend promotions increased foot traffic by 18% compared to last month, driven by a 25% discount on best-selling items.” These summaries appear inline and can be customized in tone—from professional to conversational—via Tone Tailor settings. • Story Sequencer: Building on these automated insights, Story Sequencer lets users drag and drop multiple charts into a chronological flow. Dashflow then stitches them together with transition narratives, creating a report-ready storyline. Whether it’s a monthly performance review for the leadership team or a campaign analysis for marketing, Story Sequencer ensures data flows seamlessly, guiding the audience through cause-and-effect relationships. Why It Matters Traditional reporting often requires hours of manual chart annotation and narrative crafting—resources many small businesses can’t afford. “Our goal with Narrative Highlights and Story Sequencer is to democratize data storytelling,” said Jane Thompson, CEO of Dashflow. “Managers and operators shouldn’t need a data science background to make decisions. These features provide instant clarity, empower action, and foster alignment across teams.” Use Case Scenarios • Time-Torn Tina (Salon Owner): Tina can now review her weekly revenue dashboard, see an automated summary about peak appointment times, and share a full storyline with her team in under five minutes. • Metric-Minded Maya (Cafe Manager): Maya links footfall and promotion performance charts to tell the story of customer behavior changes, then presents it to staff to optimize menu planning. • Growth Catalyst (Marketing Lead): By weaving together conversion metrics and ad spend charts, the marketing team can instantly measure ROI and propose budget adjustments in their weekly meeting. Integration and Accessibility These features are available immediately to all Dashflow users on Standard and Enterprise plans. No additional installation or configuration is required. Users can enable Narrative Highlights and Story Sequencer with a single toggle in the dashboard settings and choose their preferred narrative tone. Customer Quote “Creating cohesive reports used to take my team hours of manual work,” said Oscar Reed, proprietor of Oak & Honey E-Commerce. “With Narrative Highlights and Story Sequencer, we’re delivering polished presentations in minutes. It’s like having a dedicated data analyst on our team.” Additional Resources To learn more, visit www.dashflow.com/features/narrative-highlights or schedule a demo at demos@dashflow.com. Contact Information Media Relations Dashflow, Inc. 123 Innovation Drive San Francisco, CA 94105 Phone: (415) 555-0123 Email: press@dashflow.com Website: www.dashflow.com ###

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Dashflow Launches Integration Marketplace and QuickConnect Hub for Instant Data Connections

Imagined Press Article

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 2025-07-21 – Dashflow today introduced its Integration Marketplace and QuickConnect Hub, a breakthrough in no-code data connectivity for small businesses. These new features streamline the process of linking popular platforms to Dashflow, eliminating hours of manual setup and ensuring dashboards stay up to date in minutes. This expansion accelerates time to insight and empowers non-technical teams to leverage real-time data from systems like Shopify, QuickBooks, Square, and more. Introduction Small-business managers often waste valuable time wrangling integrations or relying on IT support to connect disparate data sources. Dashflow’s Integration Marketplace offers a curated catalog of pre-built connectors for over 50 third-party applications, while QuickConnect Hub automates secure, one-click setup. Together, they eradicate technical barriers and deliver seamless data integration for retail, hospitality, professional services, and e-commerce operators. Feature Overview • Integration Marketplace: Users can browse, search, and install connectors—such as Shopify, QuickBooks Online, Xero, Square, Google Analytics, and Stripe—within a unified interface. Each connector includes clear descriptions, user ratings, and step-by-step installation guides. New connectors are added monthly based on community demand. • QuickConnect Hub: Built into the Dashflow platform, QuickConnect Hub detects existing accounts linked to user emails and offers instant authentication. No API keys or manual field mapping is required. After authentication, SmartMapper—Dashflow’s AI-driven field recognition tool—auto-aligns imported fields to the dashboard schema, reducing errors and data prep time by up to 80%. Business Impact By simplifying integration workflows, Dashflow frees small-business teams from technical overhead. “Seamless connectivity is a cornerstone of data-driven operations,” said Arun Patel, CTO of Dashflow. “With Integration Marketplace and QuickConnect Hub, we’re removing friction so businesses can focus on insights, not integration.” Real-World Applications • Operations Commander (Retail Manager): Instantly syncs daily sales from Square and inventory levels, ensuring staffing and stock decisions are based on the latest metrics. • Finance Sage (Accountant): Links QuickBooks Online in seconds to monitor cash flow and profit margins without exporting spreadsheets or waiting for overnight syncs. • Insight Seeker (General Manager): Combines Google Analytics web traffic data with Shopify sales trends to track campaign performance in one unified dashboard. Security and Governance Dashflow employs enterprise-grade encryption for data in transit and at rest. OAuth 2.0 and token-based authentication secure each connection. Administrators can monitor integration status, manage reconnect notifications, and set automatic DeltaSync intervals—only new or updated records sync after initial import, reducing load on source systems. Availability The Integration Marketplace and QuickConnect Hub are available immediately for all Dashflow customers. To explore the marketplace, log in and click the “Integrations” icon in the left navigation bar. New users can experience these features firsthand through a 14-day free trial. Customer Endorsement “Connecting our POS and accounting systems used to be a headache,” said Maria Lopez, co-owner of Bella’s Bistro. “With Dashflow’s marketplace, we established secure links in under five minutes and our dashboards refresh automatically. It’s a game-changer for our operations.” Learn More Visit www.dashflow.com/integrations or contact integrations@dashflow.com to schedule a personalized walkthrough. Media Contact Press Office Dashflow, Inc. 123 Innovation Drive San Francisco, CA 94105 Phone: (415) 555-0123 Email: press@dashflow.com Website: www.dashflow.com ###

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Dashflow Introduces AutoTune Alerts and OmniNotify to Keep Managers One Step Ahead

Imagined Press Article

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 2025-07-21 – Dashflow, the intuitive dashboard platform for small businesses, today announced the launch of two powerful features—AutoTune Alerts and OmniNotify—designed to help managers detect critical trends and receive real-time notifications through their preferred channels. By leveraging adaptive thresholds and multi-channel delivery, Dashflow ensures teams never miss urgent KPI shifts, empowering proactive decision-making across retail, services, and e-commerce enterprises. Overview of New Features In fast-paced small-business environments, missing a key metric can result in lost sales, overstocked inventory, or operational bottlenecks. AutoTune Alerts harnesses historical patterns and seasonality to automatically calibrate alert thresholds for each KPI, reducing false positives and ensuring relevancy. OmniNotify complements this by delivering notifications via SMS, email, Slack, mobile push, or webhooks—wherever managers are most likely to see them. Feature Details • AutoTune Alerts: Traditional static alerts often become outdated as business conditions evolve. AutoTune Alerts continuously analyzes data history, adjusting thresholds when patterns shift—such as a seasonal boost in weekend revenue or a gradual decline in foot traffic. Dashflow’s algorithm factors in variability, trend acceleration, and cyclical behaviors. Users save time by eliminating manual threshold tuning and gain confidence that alerts reflect genuine anomalies. • OmniNotify: Flexibility in notification delivery is critical to ensure timely awareness. OmniNotify gives users full control to configure delivery preferences per alert. Critical issues—like a sudden drop in daily sales—can trigger immediate SMS and Slack messages, while lower-priority warnings may appear as email digests. All notifications include Snapshot Insights, a mini-chart and contextual summary, so recipients grasp the situation at a glance. Business Benefits “Data-driven teams can’t afford to wait for manual checks,” stated Laura Chen, Head of Product at Dashflow. “With AutoTune and OmniNotify, we’re combining intelligent alert calibration with personalized delivery. Managers receive only the alerts that matter, through channels they actually monitor, boosting responsiveness and reducing noise.” Illustrative Use Cases • Operations Commander (Multi-Store Manager): When one location’s inventory turnover drops 15% below norm, AutoTune flags the variance and OmniNotify pushes an alert to the operations Slack channel, prompting immediate restocking. • Dormant Explorer (Lapsed User): A user who signed up but drifted away receives a mobile push notification highlighting unusual sales spikes, reigniting engagement by showcasing value. • Finance Sage (Accountant): A sudden variance in expense categories triggers an email alert with an embedded mini-chart, enabling rapid investigation. Implementation and Configuration Dashflow users can activate AutoTune Alerts with a single click in the “Alerts” settings. OmniNotify is pre-configured with default channel preferences, which administrators can customize at the team or individual level. All alerts include severity tags—critical, warning, or info—and can be temporarily snoozed or escalated using the Snooze & Escalate feature. Customer Success Story “Since adopting AutoTune Alerts, we’ve seen false alarms drop by 60%,” reported Kevin Turner, owner of FleetRun Car Wash. “And OmniNotify means I never miss a crucial metric, even when I’m on the road. Our response times have improved dramatically.” Availability and Access Both AutoTune Alerts and OmniNotify are generally available as part of Dashflow’s Standard and Enterprise plans. Existing customers can access these capabilities immediately; new users can explore them through a risk-free trial at www.dashflow.com/trial. Contact for More Information Media Relations Dashflow, Inc. 123 Innovation Drive San Francisco, CA 94105 Phone: (415) 555-0123 Email: press@dashflow.com Website: www.dashflow.com ###

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