Remote Work Analytics

PulseBoard

Feel Your Team’s Pulse, Instantly

PulseBoard gives remote team managers and HR leads instant, live insights into team morale with one-click mood check-ins and dynamic dashboards. Spot disengagement the moment it begins, take immediate action, and continually strengthen well-being—eliminating delayed, surface-level survey results and putting your team's emotional health at your fingertips.

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PulseBoard

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 remote team worldwide to thrive by making workplace well-being visible, actionable, and central to success.
Long Term Goal
By 2028, empower 10,000 organizations to cut remote team turnover by 20% and boost engagement scores by 30% through real-time, actionable sentiment analytics.
Impact
Reduces remote team turnover by 20% and boosts employee engagement scores by 30% within three months, enabling managers and HR leads to detect and address declining morale in real time, resulting in faster intervention and a measurable improvement in workplace well-being.

Problem & Solution

Problem Statement
Remote team managers and HR leads cannot detect shifts in team morale until problems escalate because existing tools deliver delayed, surface-level feedback—leaving leaders unable to respond promptly to declining engagement or prevent burnout and turnover.
Solution Overview
PulseBoard gives managers instant, real-time visibility into team morale with one-click mood check-ins and live sentiment dashboards, enabling them to detect disengagement early and take action—eliminating the delays and blind spots of traditional surveys.

Details & Audience

Description
PulseBoard gives remote team managers and HR leaders instant visibility into team morale with real-time mood analytics. It empowers leaders to spot disengagement the moment it happens and proactively improve workplace well-being. Interactive dashboards visualize live sentiment trends for actionable, feedback-driven culture shifts—unlike static, delayed survey tools, PulseBoard puts your team’s emotional health at your fingertips.
Target Audience
Remote team managers and HR leads (30-50) craving instant morale insights who proactively foster team well-being.
Inspiration
On a rainy Wednesday, a manager watched her remote team’s video call fall silent, noticing forced smiles and camera-off screens. When she tried traditional surveys, the data arrived weeks too late—disconnected from what she’d felt in real time. That stark disconnect led her to create PulseBoard, a tool to capture team mood instantly and spark the authentic conversations her team desperately needed.

User Personas

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

P

Predictive Paula

- 35-year-old HR manager at 500-person tech firm - Master’s in organizational psychology with 8 years experience - Oversees global remote workforce across three time zones - Manages annual $150K wellness program budget

Background

Led annual engagement surveys for five years, then adopted real-time pulse tools. Developed predictive morale models to preempt crises.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Predict mood dips before they escalate 2. Integrate real-time mood data into workflows 3. Receive instant alerts for critical changes

Pain Points

1. Manual surveys too slow and outdated 2. Late detection lets morale crises worsen 3. Siloed data prevents holistic team views

Psychographics

- Values proactive team well-being strategies - Trusts data-driven decision making instinctively - Driven by preventative over reactive solutions

Channels

1. Slack – immediate alerts 2. Email – daily digests 3. LinkedIn – professional insights 4. Webinar platform – live demos 5. HR forum – peer discussions

A

Agile Alex

- 29-year-old Scrum Master at mid-size software startup - Bachelor’s in computer science, 5 years agile experience - Oversees a 10-member cross-functional team - Coordinates across four distributed time zones

Background

Started as software developer before transitioning into agile coaching. Balances velocity demands with team well-being under intense deadlines.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Instantly detect morale drops during sprints 2. Align mood data with backlog tasks 3. Facilitate quick check-ins without disruption

Pain Points

1. Overlooked burnout in high-velocity periods 2. Difficulty correlating mood with productivity dips 3. Fragmented tools slow feedback loops

Psychographics

- Thrives on continuous improvement and feedback - Values rapid adaptation to team needs - Driven by sprint goals and metrics

Channels

1. Jira – embedded morale widgets 2. Slack – channel alerts 3. Microsoft Teams – group notifications 4. Zoom – post-sprint reviews 5. Agile forum – community tips

C

Culture Chris

- 42-year-old people operations lead in financial services - Master’s in organizational psychology, 10 years HR experience - Manages culture for 200+ remote employees - Authorized $200K annual engagement budget

Background

Transitioned from HR generalist to culture strategist post-pandemic. Pioneered virtual retreats to combat isolation and strengthen bonds.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Identify culture gaps in dispersed teams 2. Create data-driven virtual engagement events 3. Measure program effectiveness transparently

Pain Points

1. Low participation in digital culture initiatives 2. Hard to tailor events to diverse teams 3. Challenges quantifying cultural ROI metrics

Psychographics

- Passionate about inclusive engagement strategies - Believes rituals strengthen virtual team bonds - Motivated by long-term cultural cohesion

Channels

1. Yammer – employee shoutouts 2. Eventbrite – event registration 3. Slack – culture channels 4. Medium – thought leadership 5. HR blog – strategic insights

I

Insight Isaac

- 50-year-old VP of operations at global enterprise - MBA from top-tier business school - Oversees 5 department heads, 1,000+ employees - Relies on quarterly leadership reports

Background

Rose from finance into operations leadership. Uses data dashboards to align workforce strategies with business goals.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Forecast team resource requirements accurately 2. Generate executive-ready morale reports swiftly 3. Compare engagement trends across departments

Pain Points

1. Delayed data hinders timely executive decisions 2. Lack of standardized metrics reduces trust 3. Difficulty aligning morale data with KPIs

Psychographics

- Obsessed with metrics-driven strategic decisions - Values predictive insights over anecdotal evidence - Prioritizes ROI and efficiency improvements

Channels

1. Tableau – analytic dashboards 2. Email – executive briefs 3. PowerPoint – slide-ready exports 4. Bloomberg Terminal – data overlays 5. Intranet – leadership updates

M

Mentor Mia

- 38-year-old senior engineer in healthcare tech - 8 years leadership experience mentoring five juniors - Hybrid work setup across two time zones - Active in diversity and inclusion efforts

Background

Started mentoring peers early in career. Struggles balancing project deadlines with coaching responsibilities.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Spot underperforming mentees through mood signals 2. Schedule timely coaching sessions seamlessly 3. Access individual sentiment history quickly

Pain Points

1. Unnoticed stress in mentees until crisis 2. Juggling heavy project load and mentorship 3. Difficulty personalizing support at scale

Psychographics

- Driven by nurturing junior career growth - Values empathetic one-on-one support - Seeks tangible progress markers

Channels

1. Slack – direct messages 2. Calendly – session scheduling 3. Zoom – virtual one-on-ones 4. GitHub – code review comments 5. Team chat – informal check-ins

Product Features

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

Smart Threshold

Automatically adjusts mood dip thresholds based on historical team sentiment patterns, ensuring managers receive timely alerts tailored to each team’s unique baseline and avoiding false positives.

Requirements

Baseline Detection Algorithm
"As a team manager, I want the system to analyze past mood data to establish a baseline so that alerts are tailored to my team’s normal sentiment and reduce false positives."
Description

Implement an algorithm that analyzes historical mood check-in data to establish a dynamic baseline for each team’s typical sentiment patterns, ensuring thresholds reflect genuine mood shifts rather than normal variation.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Baseline Calculation on First Deployment
Given the system is deployed with at least 30 days of historical mood check-in data for a team, when the baseline detection algorithm runs for the first time, then it calculates the team’s mean sentiment score and standard deviation, and establishes a baseline within the expected statistical range.
Ongoing Baseline Adjustment with Rolling Data
Given a team has continuous daily check-ins, when new mood data is received, then the algorithm recalibrates the baseline using a rolling 30-day window and updates thresholds if the change is within 10% of the existing baseline.
Threshold Alert Triggering on Significant Dip
Given an established baseline, when the team’s daily average sentiment drops more than 1.5 standard deviations below the baseline, then the system generates an alert to the manager within 5 minutes.
Handling Insufficient Historical Data
Given a team has fewer than 10 historical mood check-ins, when the algorithm attempts baseline detection, then it flags insufficient data, defers baseline creation, and notifies the manager to gather more data.
Baseline Recalibration after Seasonal Shift
Given a team experiences a sustained shift in sentiment, when the 30-day rolling average sentiment changes by more than 20% for three consecutive days, then the algorithm recalibrates the baseline and updates all related thresholds accordingly.
Dynamic Threshold Calibration
"As an HR lead, I want thresholds to adjust automatically with our evolving team morale so that I receive accurate alerts without manual reconfiguration."
Description

Develop a service that continuously recalibrates mood dip thresholds in real time based on incoming check-in trends and historical patterns, automatically adjusting sensitivity as team sentiment evolves.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Historical Calibration
Given at least three months of historical team mood check-in data, when the Dynamic Threshold Calibration service initializes, then the initial mood dip threshold is set based on the 30th percentile of negative mood scores from that period.
Real-time Trend Adjustment
Given ongoing daily mood check-ins, when the seven-day rolling average sentiment changes by more than 10% from the established baseline, then the service automatically recalibrates the threshold within one hour to reflect the updated sentiment.
Avoiding False Positives
Given transient fluctuations in team sentiment lasting fewer than three consecutive days, when such fluctuations occur, then the threshold remains unchanged to prevent false positive alerts.
Handling Data Gaps
Given missing mood check-in data for two or more consecutive days, when a data gap is detected, then the service retains the last reliable threshold and logs a warning without recalibrating until sufficient new data is available.
Threshold Calibration Audit Log
Given each threshold recalibration event, when the service updates the threshold, then an audit log entry is created with timestamp, previous threshold, new threshold, and data range used, and is accessible via the calibration API.
Alert Notification Customization
"As a remote team manager, I want to customize how and when I receive mood dip alerts so that I can respond promptly through my preferred communication channel."
Description

Provide configurable notification settings allowing managers to choose alert channels (email, in-app, Slack) and adjust alert frequency, ensuring timely, context-appropriate delivery of threshold breach notifications.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring Notification Channels
Given a manager accesses the Alert Notification Customization settings When they select one or more notification channels (email, in-app, Slack) Then the system saves the selection and sends alerts via the chosen channels upon threshold breach
Adjusting Alert Frequency
Given a manager navigates to the alert frequency settings When they choose a frequency option (immediate, hourly digest, daily summary) Then alerts are dispatched according to the selected schedule following each threshold breach
Slack Integration Notification Delivery
Given Slack integration is enabled and authenticated When a team’s sentiment threshold is breached Then the system posts a formatted alert message to the configured Slack channel within 5 minutes
Email Notification Formatting
Given email notifications are enabled When an alert is triggered Then the system sends an email containing the team name, current sentiment score, threshold details, timestamp, and a dashboard link
In-App Notification Display
Given in-app notifications are enabled When a threshold breach occurs Then a notification banner appears in the manager’s dashboard with sentiment details and does not repeat for the same breach within the same session
Historical Data Analysis Module
"As a team lead, I want to review historical mood trends and threshold changes on a dashboard so that I can correlate team events with sentiment shifts."
Description

Create a dashboard component that visualizes historical mood trends, variance, and threshold adjustments over time, enabling managers to understand the rationale behind threshold changes and identify long-term sentiment shifts.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing 6-Month Historical Mood Trend Chart
Given the manager is on the Historical Data Analysis dashboard, When they select the “6-month” timeframe, Then the system displays a line chart with weekly average mood scores for the past 6 months and accurate week start date labels for each data point.
Inspecting Threshold Adjustment History
Given the manager views the threshold adjustment section, When they scroll through the timeline panel, Then each automatic threshold change is annotated with date, previous threshold, new threshold, and the historical baseline data that triggered the adjustment.
Identifying Week-over-Week Mood Variance
Given the manager toggles on the variance view, When they hover over any weekly data point, Then the system displays the percentage change in average mood compared to the previous week and highlights weeks where variance exceeds 10%.
Filtering Trend Data by Date Range
Given the manager opens the date range filter, When they set a custom start and end date, Then the dashboard updates all visualizations (trend chart, variance, threshold timeline) to reflect only the selected period.
Validating Threshold Adjustment Explanations
Given the manager clicks an adjustment annotation, When the detail pane opens, Then the system shows the underlying sentiment data metrics (mean, standard deviation) and a brief tooltip explaining why the threshold was automatically updated.
Threshold Override Controls
"As a project manager, I want to override automatic threshold adjustments during a major deadline period so that I can avoid irrelevant alerts due to expected stress spikes."
Description

Implement manual override controls in settings to allow managers to temporarily set fixed threshold values or pause automatic adjustments during special events or periods of organizational change.

Acceptance Criteria
Manager applies fixed threshold override
Given a manager is on the Threshold Override settings page When they enable 'Manual Override' and input a valid threshold value (e.g., 60%) Then the system sets the team's mood dip threshold to 60% and displays a confirmation message; And automatic adjustments are disabled until manual override is deactivated.
Manager pauses automatic adjustments
Given a manager navigates to override controls When they select 'Pause Automatic Adjustments' Then the system stops any future automatic threshold changes and indicates the paused status in the UI; And no automatic adjustments occur until resumed.
Manager specifies override duration
Given a manager activates manual override When they define a start and end date for the override period Then the system applies the fixed threshold only within the specified period; And after the end date, automatic adjustments resume automatically.
System validates threshold input
Given a manager enters an override threshold value When the value is outside the allowed range (e.g., below 0% or above 100%) Then the system rejects the input and displays an error message; And the 'Save' button remains disabled until a valid value is entered.
Automatic adjustments resume post-override
Given a manual override period has ended When the override end time is reached Then the system switches back to automatic threshold adjustments based on historical sentiment; And the UI reflects that automatic adjustments are active.

Context Snapshot

Provides a quick summary of recent factors influencing team morale—such as recent project changes or calendar events—so managers understand the root causes and address issues faster.

Requirements

Real-time Data Ingestion
"As a remote team manager, I want the Context Snapshot to display project updates and calendar events in real time so that I can promptly address issues affecting my team's morale."
Description

The system shall integrate with project management platforms (e.g., Jira, Asana) and calendar services (e.g., Google Calendar, Outlook) via secure APIs to fetch changes such as task status updates, deadline modifications, new assignments, and scheduled events in real time. This integration ensures that the Context Snapshot feature reflects the most current factors influencing team morale, enabling managers to immediately identify potential stressors or workload shifts.

Acceptance Criteria
Jira Task Status Update Scenario
Given the Jira integration is active and authenticated When a task status changes from "In Progress" to "Done" in Jira Then the Context Snapshot updates to show the new task status within 2 seconds and displays the correct task ID and timestamp
Calendar Event Creation Scenario
Given the Google Calendar integration is connected When a new event is created on a connected team member’s calendar Then the Context Snapshot lists the event title, time, and attendee list within 2 seconds
Deadline Modification Detection Scenario
Given the Asana integration is configured When a task deadline is modified in Asana Then the Context Snapshot reflects the updated deadline, task name, and project context within 2 seconds
New Task Assignment Scenario
Given integrations with Jira and Asana are enabled When a task is assigned to a team member in either platform Then the Context Snapshot displays the assignee’s name, task title, and assignment time within 2 seconds
API Failure Recovery Scenario
Given any project management or calendar API call returns a failure When the system retries the call up to three times Then a successful retry updates the Context Snapshot or, if all retries fail, an alert is logged and sent to the admin dashboard
Historical Trend Analysis
"As an HR lead, I want to see historical trends between context events and mood scores so that I can identify recurring issues and plan interventions."
Description

The system shall analyze and present historical correlations between contextual factors (e.g., project changes, meeting frequency) and mood check-in results over selectable time periods. By visualizing trends and patterns, managers can understand how recurring events impact morale and make data-driven decisions to improve team well-being.

Acceptance Criteria
Selecting Time Period for Trend Visualization
Given mood check-in and contextual factor data exist for the team When the manager selects a predefined or custom time period Then the system displays a time-series chart showing mood averages alongside contextual factor events over that period
Correlation Display for Contextual Factors
Given a time period with sufficient data points When the manager chooses one or more contextual factors Then the system calculates and displays Pearson correlation coefficients between each selected factor and mood check-in results, with values ranging from -1 to +1
Interactive Trend Visualization
Given the historical trend chart is displayed When the manager hovers over or clicks on any data point or event marker Then a tooltip appears showing the exact date, mood score, contextual factor detail, and correlation at that point
Comparative Analysis Across Teams
Given multiple teams have mood check-ins and contextual data When the manager selects two or more teams for comparison Then the system overlays trend lines for each team with clear legends and distinct colors, allowing side-by-side visual comparison
Exporting Historical Trends Data
Given a chart and correlation data are generated When the manager clicks the export button and chooses a format (CSV or PDF) Then the system exports the time-series mood scores, contextual factor events, and correlation results into the selected file format
Customizable Timeframe Selector
"As a remote team manager, I want to select the timeframe for the context snapshot so that I can analyze factors impacting morale during critical project phases."
Description

The Context Snapshot feature shall allow users to define custom timeframes (e.g., last 24 hours, past week, custom date ranges) for which contextual data is aggregated and displayed. This flexibility enables managers to focus on periods relevant to specific projects or events, tailoring insights to their unique needs.

Acceptance Criteria
Selecting a Predefined Timeframe
Given the user opens the Timeframe Selector; When the user selects 'Last 24 hours'; Then the dashboard displays context data aggregated for the previous 24 hours.
Defining a Custom Date Range
Given the user opens the custom date range picker; When the user selects a valid start date and end date and confirms; Then the dashboard displays context data aggregated between the selected dates.
Preserving Timeframe Selection on Page Refresh
Given the user has selected a timeframe; When the user refreshes the page; Then the previously selected timeframe remains applied and context data reloads for that timeframe.
Handling Invalid Date Inputs
Given the user inputs an end date earlier than the start date; When the user attempts to apply the selection; Then an error message is displayed and the timeframe is not applied.
Switching Between Different Timeframes
Given the user has an active timeframe applied; When the user selects a different timeframe option; Then the dashboard updates to display context data for the newly selected timeframe within 2 seconds.
Contextual Correlation Dashboard
"As a manager, I want to view mood scores alongside context factors in a single dashboard so that I can easily spot correlations affecting my team's well-being."
Description

The system shall provide an interactive dashboard that overlays mood check-in results with contextual data points—such as task completion rates, meeting counts, and event attendance—to highlight potential correlations. Visual indicators (graphs, heat maps) will help managers quickly identify relationships between context factors and team morale fluctuations.

Acceptance Criteria
Overlay Mood Data with Task Completion
Given the manager views the dashboard for a selected date range When mood check-ins and task completion rates exist for that range Then both datasets are plotted on the same time axis and a correlation coefficient is displayed
Heat Map of Meeting Counts vs Morale
Given daily meeting counts and mood check-in averages are available When the manager enables the meeting layer Then a heat map is rendered showing meeting volume and average morale with high correlation days highlighted
Filter by Project and Contextual Overlay
Given multiple projects have associated context data When the manager applies a project filter Then the dashboard updates to display mood trends and context metrics only for the selected project period
Interactive Data Point Drill-down
Given the correlation graph is displayed When the manager clicks on a specific data point Then a detail panel appears showing individual check-in details and associated context factor values
Automatic Anomaly Detection Alerts
Given mood fluctuations and context metrics are tracked in real time When a correlation threshold above 0.7 is detected Then the dashboard highlights the anomaly and sends an alert notification to the manager
Snapshot Alert Notifications
"As a manager, I want to receive notifications when contextual events significantly affect mood scores so that I can intervene promptly."
Description

The system shall send configurable alerts (email, in-app notifications, SMS) to managers when significant context-morale deviations occur—such as a spike in missed deadlines coinciding with decreased mood scores. Alerts help managers take immediate action when contextual triggers have a high impact on team morale.

Acceptance Criteria
Email Alert on Significant Deviation
Given a manager has alerts enabled for email When a context-morale deviation exceeds the configured threshold Then the system sends an email to the manager’s registered address within 60 seconds, containing the mood score change, relevant context snapshot, and a link to the dashboard
In-App Notification Delivery
Given a manager is actively using the PulseBoard app When a context-morale deviation occurs Then an in-app notification banner appears immediately, remains visible until dismissed, and includes a direct link to the detailed context snapshot view
SMS Alert Configuration and Delivery
Given a manager has provided and verified a mobile number for SMS alerts When a context-morale deviation meets the SMS threshold Then the system sends an SMS within two minutes containing a brief summary of the deviation and a URL to view full details
Configurable Alert Thresholds
Given a manager navigates to the notification settings page When they update the thresholds for context-morale deviation alerts and save Then the system validates the inputs, persists the new settings, and applies them to all subsequent alert evaluations immediately
Alert Suppression during Off Hours
Given a manager defines off-hours in their profile settings When a context-morale deviation occurs during those off-hours Then no alerts are sent until the next defined on-hours window begins, at which time a summary notification is delivered

Escalation Chain

Enables automatic routing of alerts through customizable approval flows—escalating to senior leaders or HR after predefined intervals—guaranteeing critical dips never go unnoticed.

Requirements

Configurable Escalation Rules
"As a team manager, I want to configure specific escalation rules so that alerts are routed according to my organization’s protocols and critical dips never go unnoticed."
Description

Allow administrators to define custom escalation rules based on mood check-in thresholds, time intervals, and team hierarchies. The system should support rule creation via an intuitive interface where managers can specify conditions (e.g., three consecutive low mood check-ins) and subsequent actions (e.g., notify direct manager). This feature ensures that alerts are tailored to organizational policies, providing flexibility and precision in addressing critical morale issues.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating Escalation Rule for Consecutive Low Mood Check-Ins
Given an administrator has accessed the escalation rules interface When they define a rule for “3 consecutive low mood check-ins” Then the rule is saved and listed under active rules with the correct threshold condition
Defining Time-Interval Based Escalation Rule
Given an administrator is on the escalation rules page When they specify a 24-hour interval for unresolved alerts Then the rule appears with the correct interval setting and triggers notifications after 24 hours of inactivity
Configuring Hierarchy-Based Escalation
Given an administrator sets up a rule with team hierarchy conditions When they select “notify direct manager” and “escalate to senior leader” in sequence Then alerts follow the configured approval flow in the specified order
Validating Rule Activation on Mood Threshold Breach
Given a team member logs a low mood check-in When it is the third consecutive low rating Then the system automatically generates an alert and notifies the configured recipients
Editing and Saving Existing Escalation Rules
Given an existing escalation rule exists When the administrator modifies the threshold or action and clicks “Save” Then the updated rule reflects the changes and previous version is archived
Multi-level Approval Workflow
"As an HR lead, I want alerts to flow through multiple approvers so that issues are reviewed and validated by the right stakeholders before escalation to higher management."
Description

Implement a multi-tiered approval process that routes alerts through predefined approvers in sequence. The workflow should support any number of levels, allow parallel or sequential approvals, and enable routing override by senior leaders. This ensures that each alert receives the proper attention at the appropriate level before final resolution.

Acceptance Criteria
Sequential Approval Workflow Across Three Levels
Given an alert has a predefined sequential approval path of Level 1 → Level 2 → Level 3, When the Level 1 approver approves within SLA, Then the alert is routed to Level 2; When the Level 2 approver approves, Then the alert is routed to Level 3; When the Level 3 approver approves, Then the alert status updates to Resolved.
Parallel Approval by Multiple Department Heads
Given an alert is assigned to three parallel approvers, When at least two approvers approve the alert, Then the alert proceeds to Resolved status; If any approver rejects, Then the alert status updates to Rejected immediately.
Routing Override by Senior Leader
Given an alert is pending at any approval level, When a senior leader applies an override to approve or reject the alert, Then the workflow bypasses remaining levels and updates the alert status to Approved or Rejected accordingly.
Dynamic Addition of Approval Levels
Given an alert workflow with two existing approval levels, When an admin adds a third approval level before the final approver, Then the new level is inserted into the sequence and the workflow incorporates it without resetting prior approvals.
Timeout Escalation after First-Level Delay
Given an alert awaiting first-level approval exceeds a 24-hour SLA, When 24 hours elapse without action, Then the alert automatically escalates to the next-level approver and sends notification reminders to the original approver.
Notification and Alert Delivery
"As a senior leader, I want to receive real-time alerts on my preferred channel so that I can act immediately when team morale dips below acceptable levels."
Description

Provide robust notification mechanisms including email, SMS, and in-app alerts for each escalation step. Notifications should include alert context, escalation history, and direct action links to acknowledge or resolve the issue. This feature guarantees timely awareness and response by the intended recipients.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Alert Notification Sent
Given a mood dip alert triggers When the first escalation step is reached Then an email, SMS, and in-app notification are sent to the designated manager with alert context and action links
Escalation Notification to Senior Leader
Given the manager does not acknowledge the alert within the predefined interval When escalation time elapses Then an email, SMS, and in-app notification are sent to the senior leader with full escalation history and direct links to acknowledge or resolve
SMS Delivery Failure Handling
Given an SMS notification fails to deliver When the delivery attempt returns an error Then the system retries up to two additional times at 5-minute intervals and logs failure notifications to the in-app dashboard
In-app Alert with Action Links
Given a user is logged into PulseBoard When a new alert is generated Then an in-app banner appears showing the alert details, escalation history, and buttons to Acknowledge or Resolve
Notification Includes Escalation History
Given any notification is sent at any escalation step When the recipient views the notification Then the message includes a chronological history of previous escalation steps with timestamps
Escalation Time Tracking
"As an HR analyst, I want to see how long each alert spends at each stage so that I can identify delays and optimize our escalation process."
Description

Track and display the time elapsed at each escalation stage. The system should automatically record timestamps for rule triggers, notifications sent, acknowledgments received, and escalations executed. Dashboards should visualize these metrics to highlight bottlenecks and ensure SLAs are met.

Acceptance Criteria
Rule Trigger Timestamp Recorded
Given an alert condition meets the predefined rule, when the rule triggers an escalation stage, then the system records a UTC timestamp in the alert’s event log with an accuracy of ±1 second.
Notification Sent Timestamp Display
Given an escalation stage dispatches a notification, when the notification is successfully sent, then the system logs the send timestamp and displays it in the UI adjacent to the notification entry formatted in the user’s locale.
Acknowledgment Received Timestamp Recorded
Given an approver clicks the “Acknowledge” button, when the acknowledgment is processed, then the system logs the acknowledgment timestamp, updates the alert status to “Acknowledged,” and computes the elapsed time since the notification was sent.
Escalation Executed Timestamp Tracking
Given the escalation interval expires without acknowledgment, when the system escalates to the next approver level, then it records the escalation execution timestamp, increments the escalation level, and marks the previous level as “Escalated.”
Dashboard Visualization of Escalation Metrics
Given a user views the Escalation Time Tracking dashboard, when the dashboard loads, then it presents trigger-to-notification, notification-to-acknowledgment, and acknowledgment-to-escalation times for each alert in graphical and tabular form, highlighting any stage exceeding SLA thresholds in red.
Audit Log and Reporting
"As a compliance officer, I want detailed reports of all escalation activities so that I can audit the process and ensure adherence to company policies."
Description

Maintain a comprehensive audit log of all escalation events, including rule evaluations, notifications, acknowledgments, and overrides. Provide reporting tools to filter, export, and visualize escalation history for compliance and continuous improvement. This feature ensures transparency and accountability in the escalation process.

Acceptance Criteria
Logging Escalation Event
Given an escalation is triggered, when the system completes rule evaluation, then an audit log entry is created capturing the event ID, timestamp, initiating rule, user IDs involved, and notification recipients.
Capturing Acknowledgements and Overrides
Given a manager acknowledges or overrides an escalation, when the action is performed, then the audit log records the acknowledgement or override event with user ID, timestamp, and provided reason.
Filtering Audit Log by Date Range
Given the user selects a start and end date, when the filter is applied, then only escalation events within that date range are displayed and the total count is updated accordingly.
Exporting Escalation History
Given filtered audit log results are visible, when the user clicks export, then a CSV file is downloaded containing all displayed events with accurate column headers and corresponding data rows.
Visualizing Escalation Patterns
Given the audit log data is available, when the user accesses the reporting dashboard, then dynamic charts display escalation frequency over time with interactive drill-down capabilities for specific rules or users.
Accessing Compliance Reports
Given a user with the compliance role logs in, when they navigate to compliance reports, then they can apply filters, generate a PDF report, and download it with the full escalation history and summary statistics.

Silent Push

Delivers discreet, in-app notifications to managers’ mobile devices during off-hours, ensuring urgent morale alerts are seen without causing undue stress or distractions.

Requirements

Quiet Hours Configuration
"As a remote team manager, I want to configure quiet hours for silent push notifications so that I receive urgent morale alerts discreetly without being disturbed during personal time."
Description

Enable managers to define specific time windows during which silent push notifications are delivered discreetly without audible alerts or vibrations, ensuring off-hour morale alerts reach managers without causing undue disturbance. This requirement integrates with the user settings module, providing a seamless interface for setting start and end times, selecting days of the week, and adjusting time zones. Notifications triggered within quiet hours will use minimal interruption modalities such as badge updates or silent banners, preserving user tranquility while maintaining alert effectiveness.

Acceptance Criteria
Define Quiet Hours Time Range
Given the manager is in the settings module, when they input start time and end time for quiet hours and save, then the system stores and applies these times correctly across sessions.
Select Days for Quiet Hours
Given the manager is configuring quiet hours, when they select specific days of the week and save, then only notifications during those days use silent modality.
Time Zone Handling for Quiet Hours
Given the manager travels across time zones or changes device time zone, when quiet hours are defined, then the system adjusts quiet hours to match the new time zone without altering the intended local quiet period.
Notification Modality During Quiet Hours
Given a morale alert is triggered during quiet hours, when delivering the notification, then it appears as a silent banner or badge update without sound or vibration.
User Interface Validation
Given the manager opens the quiet hours configuration screen, then the interface displays current settings including start/end times, selected days, and time zone, and allows modifications.
Adaptive Notification Timing
"As a remote team manager, I want the system to adaptively decide when to deliver morale alerts based on urgency and my availability preferences so that I am informed of critical issues without unnecessary interruptions."
Description

Implement logic to evaluate notification urgency against the current time and manager-defined quiet hours, dynamically deciding whether to send an immediate silent push or defer delivery. This requirement leverages real-time context such as alert severity levels, manager on-call schedules, and past interaction patterns to optimize timing, ensuring highly critical morale dips are communicated promptly even during quiet hours. Integration with the alert engine and scheduling service is essential for accurate decision-making.

Acceptance Criteria
Critical Morale Dip During Quiet Hours
Given a morale alert with severity 'Critical' occurs during manager-defined quiet hours, when urgency evaluation runs, then a silent push notification is sent immediately to the manager’s mobile device.
Low-Severity Alert Deferred
Given a morale alert with severity 'Low' occurs within quiet hours, when urgency evaluation determines non-critical status, then delivery of the push notification is deferred until the manager’s next active hours.
Active Hours Standard Notification
Given any morale alert occurs during the manager’s active hours, when urgency evaluation completes, then a standard push notification (with sound) is sent immediately.
On-Call Manager Override
Given a manager is flagged 'On-Call' and a 'High' severity alert occurs during quiet hours, when urgency evaluation runs, then a silent push notification is sent immediately regardless of quiet hours settings.
Behavior-Based Notification Adjustment
Given a manager has dismissed over 80% of non-silent alerts during off-hours and a 'Medium' severity alert occurs in quiet hours, when urgency evaluation runs, then a silent push notification is sent instead of a standard notification.
Custom Notification Templates
"As an HR lead, I want to customize the content and format of silent push notifications so that alerts are clear, actionable, and aligned with organizational messaging guidelines."
Description

Allow HR leads and managers to create and select from a library of customizable silent push templates, tailoring message content, tone, and embedded action links. The requirement includes support for placeholder variables (e.g., team name, mood score) and quick-action buttons (e.g., ‘Request Check-in’, ‘Acknowledge’), enhancing clarity and response efficiency. Templates are managed through the PulseBoard dashboard and stored securely in the configuration service.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Notification Template
Given an HR lead is on the PulseBoard dashboard and navigates to the template library When they select 'Create Template' and fill in required fields: message content, tone, placeholder variables, and at least one quick-action button And they save the template Then the new template appears in the library list And a success confirmation message is displayed.
Editing an Existing Template
Given a manager selects an existing silent push template from the library When they modify the message content, placeholder variables, or quick-action buttons And they save the changes Then the updated template reflects the new content in the library And the version history logs the edit with timestamp and user details.
Applying Placeholder Variables in Template
Given a template includes placeholder variables (e.g., {{teamName}}, {{moodScore}}) When a silent push is triggered for a specific team and mood score Then the placeholders are dynamically replaced with the actual team name and numeric mood score in the delivered notification And no placeholder syntax remains visible.
Template Storage and Retrieval
Given the configuration service stores templates securely When the dashboard requests the template list for an organization Then all templates associated with that organization are retrieved from the service And each template’s metadata (name, creation date, last modified date) is accurately displayed.
Quick-Action Button Rendering
Given a template includes 'Request Check-in' and 'Acknowledge' quick-action buttons When the silent push notification is received on a manager’s mobile device during off-hours Then both buttons are displayed correctly within the notification UI And tapping each button triggers the corresponding in-app action link.
Urgency Level Filtering
"As a manager, I want to filter silent push notifications by alert severity so that I only receive truly important morale warnings during off-hours."
Description

Provide configurable filters enabling managers to specify which levels of morale alerts (e.g., high risk, medium concern, routine updates) trigger silent push notifications. This requirement includes a user interface for selecting filter thresholds, integration with the alert classification engine, and real-time enforcement to prevent low-priority notifications from reaching mobile devices during off-hours, reducing noise and focusing attention on critical events.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring High-Risk Alert Filter
Given the manager is on the urgency filter settings screen When they select only 'High Risk' alerts and save their preferences Then only 'High Risk' alerts trigger silent push notifications during off-hours
Blocking Routine Updates During Off-Hours
Given an alert classified as 'Routine Update' is generated during off-hours When the urgency filter is set to block routine updates Then no silent push notification is sent to the manager's mobile device
Receiving Medium Concern Alerts Within Threshold
Given the manager has selected 'Medium Concern' and above in the filter When a 'Medium Concern' alert is produced during off-hours Then a silent push notification is delivered to the manager's mobile device within 5 seconds
Adjusting Filter Threshold Settings
Given the manager navigates back to the urgency filter settings When they change the threshold from 'High Risk' to include 'Medium Concern' and save Then the updated settings reflect immediately and persist across sessions
Real-Time Enforcement of Filter Changes
Given the manager updates the alert urgency filter during off-hours When a new alert is generated immediately after the update Then the system enforces the new filter preferences in real-time without delay
Notification Delivery Logging
"As a system administrator, I want to view logs of silent push notifications so that I can verify delivery success, diagnose failures, and ensure accountability."
Description

Capture and store detailed logs of all silent push notification delivery attempts, including timestamps, delivery status, device responses, and user interactions. This requirement integrates with the analytics engine and audit service, enabling administrators to track notification reliability, troubleshoot delivery issues, and generate compliance reports. Logs are accessible via secure endpoints and appear in the PulseBoard audit dashboard.

Acceptance Criteria
Successful Delivery Logging
Given a silent push notification is sent and delivered successfully, when the device responds with a delivery acknowledgment, then the system records a log entry containing notification ID, send timestamp, delivery timestamp, delivery status 'delivered', device response code, and persists it in the analytics engine and audit service.
Failed Delivery Logging
Given a silent push notification fails to deliver due to network or device error, when the push service returns a failure response, then the system captures a log entry with notification ID, send timestamp, failure timestamp, delivery status 'failed', error code, and stores it in the analytics engine and audit service.
Delayed Delivery Logging
Given a silent push notification experiences a delivery delay beyond five minutes, when the delay threshold is exceeded, then the system logs the notification ID, original send timestamp, actual delivery timestamp, calculated delay duration, delivery status 'delayed', and persists the entry in the analytics engine and audit service.
Device Response Logging
Given the device responds to a silent push notification, when the response indicates app foreground or background receipt, then the system logs notification ID, response type (foreground/background), response timestamp, and stores it in the analytics engine and audit service.
User Interaction Logging
Given the manager interacts with a silent push notification in-app, when the user taps to view details, then the system logs notification ID, interaction type 'viewed', interaction timestamp, user ID, and persists it in the analytics engine and audit service.
Manager Opt-in Controls
"As a manager, I want to opt in or out of silent push notifications so that I have control over which alerts I receive on my mobile device."
Description

Introduce explicit opt-in and opt-out controls for managers to subscribe or unsubscribe from silent push alerts, supporting individual preferences and compliance with notification policies. The requirement covers in-app toggles, confirmation dialogs, and persistence of settings across devices. It also includes email reminders for managers who have not set their preference, ensuring they are aware of their notification status.

Acceptance Criteria
Opt-In Toggle Activation
Given the manager is on the Notifications Settings When they toggle 'Silent Push Alerts' to on Then the preference is saved in the database, the toggle state persists after page refresh, and a confirmation message 'Silent Push Alerts enabled' is displayed
Opt-Out Toggle Activation
Given the manager currently has 'Silent Push Alerts' enabled When they toggle 'Silent Push Alerts' to off Then the preference is saved, the toggle state persists after page refresh, and a confirmation message 'Silent Push Alerts disabled' is displayed
Preference Persistence Across Devices
Given a manager enables or disables Silent Push Alerts on device A When the manager logs into device B Then the Silent Push Alerts toggle reflects the updated preference without requiring manual sync
Confirmation Dialog Presentation
Given a manager attempts to change the Silent Push Alerts setting When they click to enable or disable the toggle Then a confirmation dialog appears with the correct title, message, and 'Confirm' and 'Cancel' buttons And selecting 'Confirm' applies the change while 'Cancel' reverts to the previous state
Email Reminder for Unset Preferences
Given a manager has not set their Silent Push Alerts preference within 48 hours of account creation When the 48-hour period elapses Then an email reminder is sent to the manager’s registered email containing a direct link to the Notifications Settings page

Check-In Templates

Generates contextual, ready-to-send one-click check-in prompts based on the severity and type of mood dip, streamlining manager outreach and fostering more empathetic conversations.

Requirements

Template Generation Engine
"As a team manager, I want automatically generated check-in prompts that reflect my team's current mood challenges so that I can quickly reach out with appropriate and empathetic messages."
Description

The system must analyze mood dip severity and type data to generate contextually relevant one-click check-in prompts. It should leverage predefined rules and AI-driven insights to craft empathetic messaging aligned with individual and team dynamics, ensuring that managers receive ready-to-send templates tailored to detected morale issues. This module integrates with the existing check-in workflow, providing UI components for preview and editing, and stores generated templates for audit and continuous improvement.

Acceptance Criteria
Severity-Based Template Generation
Given a mood dip severity of 'severe', when the manager requests a template, then the system generates a prompt with urgent empathetic language under 200 characters. Given a mood dip severity of 'mild', when the manager requests a template, then the system generates a prompt with light empathetic tone and suggests low-effort actions.
Type-Specific Messaging Context
Given a mood dip type of 'stress', when generating a template, then the prompt references stress-specific coping strategies. Given a mood dip type of 'disengagement', when generating a template, then the prompt includes engagement-focused questions.
UI Preview and Editing Workflow
Given the generated template is displayed, when the manager edits the text and clicks 'Save', then the updated template persists in the UI and database. Given the manager clicks 'Revert', when editing mode is active, then the template reverts to the original generated version.
Audit Logging of Generated Templates
Given a template is generated or edited, when the action completes, then an audit log entry is created containing template ID, manager ID, timestamp, severity, and type.
Continuous Improvement Feedback Loop
Given the manager submits a satisfaction rating for a sent template, when feedback is received, then the system links feedback to the template ID and queues it for AI model retraining.
Severity-to-Tone Mapping
"As a product manager, I want mood severity levels to automatically determine the tone of check-in messages so that the prompts feel appropriately sensitive and effective."
Description

Define a mapping framework that translates detected mood dip severity levels and categories into corresponding communication tones and styles. The framework should support multiple severity levels (e.g., mild, moderate, severe) and mapping rules that determine recommended phrasing, empathy level, and urgency cues. It must integrate with mood analytics data and allow future adjustments to tone rules based on user feedback and evolving best practices.

Acceptance Criteria
Mild Mood Dip Mapping Scenario
Given a detected mood dip severity of 'mild', when the system generates a check-in template, then it uses a friendly, casual tone with low urgency cues and includes an empathetic opener.
Moderate Mood Dip Mapping Scenario
Given a detected mood dip severity of 'moderate', when the system generates a check-in template, then it uses a supportive tone with balanced urgency cues and suggests scheduled follow-up.
Severe Mood Dip Mapping Scenario
Given a detected mood dip severity of 'severe', when the system generates a check-in template, then it uses a professional, highly empathetic tone with high urgency cues and offers immediate resource links.
Category-Specific Mapping Scenario
Given a mood dip category such as 'burnout' or 'stress', when the system generates a check-in template, then it incorporates category-specific phrasing and supportive recommendations relevant to that category.
Tone Rule Update Scenario
Given updated tone mapping rules entered via the admin interface, when the rules are saved, then the system persists the changes and applies them immediately to all subsequent template generations without additional developer deployment.
Customizable Template Library
"As a HR lead, I want a library of customizable check-in templates so that I can tailor messages to different teams and scenarios without creating them from scratch."
Description

Provide a repository of prebuilt check-in templates that managers can browse, select, and customize. The library should allow users to search by mood category, severity, or conversation goal, and edit text, placeholders, and suggested actions before sending. It must support saving custom templates, tagging for easy retrieval, and versioning to track changes over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Search Templates by Mood Category
Given the manager is on the Customizable Template Library page When they select a mood category from the filter dropdown Then only templates tagged with the selected mood category are displayed
Filter Templates by Severity Level
Given the manager has opened the template filters pane When they choose a severity level slider and apply the filter Then templates matching the selected severity range are shown and others are hidden
Edit and Customize a Prebuilt Template
Given the manager selects a prebuilt template from the library When they modify the text fields, placeholders, or suggested action items Then the preview pane updates in real time to reflect the edits
Save a Custom Template
Given the manager has customized a template When they click the "Save as Template" button and provide a name and tags Then the new template is added to the library with the specified name and tags
View and Revert Template Versions
Given the manager opens the version history for a saved template When they select an earlier version and confirm revert Then the template content rewinds to the chosen version and is marked as the current version
Automated Prompt Delivery
"As a team manager, I want to automate sending check-in prompts when mood issues arise so that I can respond promptly without manual intervention."
Description

Enable scheduled and event-triggered delivery of selected check-in templates directly from the dashboard. Managers should be able to set up rules for when prompts are sent (e.g., immediately after a severe mood dip detected, or at a specific time follow-up) and choose communication channels (in-app notification, email, or chat integration). Delivery logs and status indicators must be available for tracking sent prompts and their responses.

Acceptance Criteria
Immediate Severe Mood Dip Prompt
Given a team member’s mood dips below the severe threshold, when the rule is enabled, then the system sends the selected check-in template via the configured channel within 60 seconds and marks the prompt status as 'Sent'.
Scheduled Follow-Up Prompt
Given a follow-up time is set (e.g., 24 hours after a mood dip), when the scheduled time arrives, then the system delivers the chosen template to the manager’s chosen channel and logs the delivery time.
Multi-Channel Delivery Selection
Given multiple communication channels are available, when a manager selects one or more channels, then prompts are dispatched through all selected channels and confirmed delivery receipts are received for each.
Prompt Delivery Logging
Given any prompt is sent, when delivery occurs, then the system creates a log entry with timestamp, channel, recipient, and delivery status, and the entry is viewable in the dashboard’s delivery log.
Response Status Indicator
Given a prompt is delivered, when a recipient interacts (e.g., opens or responds), then the dashboard updates the prompt’s status indicator to 'Opened', 'Responded', or 'Failed' within 30 seconds of the interaction.
Feedback Loop Integration
"As a product analyst, I want feedback data on sent check-in messages so that I can improve our template effectiveness over time."
Description

Implement a mechanism for managers to rate the effectiveness of each sent template and provide qualitative feedback. The system should collect metrics on open rates, response times, and sentiment change post-check-in, and use this data to refine template generation and tone mapping rules. A dashboard view must summarize feedback trends and highlight high- and low-performing templates.

Acceptance Criteria
Manager rates template effectiveness
Given a manager views a sent check-in template When they submit a rating between 1 and 5 and optional feedback under 500 characters Then the system stores the rating, feedback text, timestamp, manager ID, and template ID, and confirms successful submission
System captures open and response metrics
Given a check-in notification is delivered When the recipient opens the notification Then the system logs the open event with timestamp, and when the recipient submits a response, logs the response time relative to send time
Sentiment change calculation post-check-in
Given a team member’s mood rating before a check-in and a new rating after the check-in When the post-check-in rating is recorded Then the system calculates the sentiment delta, categorizes it as positive, neutral, or negative change, and stores the result
Automated template refinement based on feedback
Given aggregated feedback and performance metrics for all templates When the refinement algorithm runs Then the system updates tone mapping rules and template selection logic to prioritize top-performing templates and deprecate those with low effectiveness
Dashboard summarizes feedback trends
Given the manager opens the Feedback Loop dashboard When feedback and performance data are available Then the dashboard displays average ratings, response times, sentiment change distributions, and highlights the top three and bottom three templates by performance

Predictive Pulse

Uses AI-driven trend analysis to forecast potential future dips in team morale, allowing managers to proactively launch well-being initiatives before disengagement occurs.

Requirements

Historical Data Ingestion
"As a data engineer, I want a reliable ingestion pipeline that standardizes and stores team mood check-in data so that the AI model has accurate, consistent inputs for predictive analysis."
Description

Implement a scalable data collection pipeline to aggregate and preprocess historical mood check-in data, ensuring data quality, normalization, and secure storage for AI trend analysis.

Acceptance Criteria
Bulk Historical Data Ingestion
Given a CSV file containing six months of mood check-in records When the ingestion pipeline is executed Then 100% of records are loaded into the raw data store within five minutes without errors and ingestion logs contain no failure entries
Data Quality Validation Process
Given the raw data in the ingestion layer When the quality validation job runs Then all records with missing mandatory fields or invalid date formats are flagged in the error log and only valid records proceed to the staging area
Data Normalization and Transformation
Given ingested mood values on varied scales When the transformation step runs Then all mood values are normalized to a 0–100 scale, timestamps are converted to UTC ISO 8601 format, and all fields adhere to the defined schema
Secure Storage Verification
Given the preprocessed data ready for storage When the storage job completes Then all data at rest is encrypted using AES-256, access is restricted via role-based policies, and storage audit logs record the operation
Ingestion Pipeline Monitoring and Alerting
Given the daily ingestion pipeline schedule When a pipeline step fails or exceeds the defined SLA Then an alert is sent to the DevOps channel within five minutes and the system automatically retries the failed step up to three times
AI Trend Forecast Engine
"As a team manager, I want the system to forecast future team morale trends so that I can proactively address potential disengagement before it occurs."
Description

Develop an AI-driven forecasting engine that analyzes historical mood trends, applies time-series and machine learning models to predict potential dips in team morale over defined future periods.

Acceptance Criteria
Forecast Accuracy Validation
Given the AI Trend Forecast Engine has processed at least 6 months of historical mood check-in data When the engine generates a 30-day morale forecast Then predicted dips in team morale must achieve at least 85% precision and 85% recall against actual outcomes
Real-Time Alert Threshold Testing
Given a predicted morale dip exceeds the configurable alert threshold When the forecast is updated in real time Then the system must trigger an alert notification to the manager within 5 seconds
User Notification Workflow
Given the system predicts a morale dip for a specific team When the forecast is published Then the designated manager receives an in-app notification and an email containing the forecast summary within 1 minute
Data Input and Preprocessing Check
Given raw mood check-in entries from multiple sources When the data ingestion pipeline runs Then data anomalies are detected, logged, and either corrected or rejected with error codes 90% of the time
Dashboard Visualization Update
Given a new forecast is generated When the dashboard view is refreshed Then the upcoming 30-day morale trend is displayed with clear indicators for predicted dips, and the visualization loads in under 2 seconds
Predictive Insights Dashboard
"As an HR lead, I want to view forecasted morale trends and risk levels on my dashboard so that I can quickly understand potential issues and plan interventions."
Description

Integrate predicted morale trends into the existing PulseBoard dashboard, visualizing forecasts, confidence intervals, and risk alerts in an intuitive chart alongside real-time data.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Forecasted Morale Trends
Given the predictive model has generated morale forecasts for the next seven days When a manager opens the PulseBoard dashboard Then a forecasted morale trend line is overlaid on the existing real-time data chart with a distinct, non-conflicting color.
Confidence Interval Display
Given each forecasted data point has an associated 95% confidence interval When the forecasted trend is displayed Then a shaded band representing the confidence interval appears around the forecast line, with clear legends and no obstruction of real-time data.
Risk Alert Trigger
Given a forecasted morale value drops below the configured risk threshold When the dashboard is viewed Then a risk alert badge is displayed on the chart with a tooltip explaining the risk level and the date of the predicted dip.
Interactive Forecast Drill-down
Given a manager clicks on any forecasted data point When the point is selected Then a detailed modal appears showing the predicted morale value, confidence interval, prediction date, and top three contributing factors identified by the AI model.
Dashboard Data Refresh with Predictions
When the dashboard’s scheduled data refresh runs Then predicted morale trends are updated within five minutes of the real-time data refresh and a timestamp reflecting the last prediction update is displayed on the dashboard.
Alert Notification System
"As a team manager, I want to receive notifications when the system predicts a significant drop in morale so that I can take timely action to support my team."
Description

Create a configurable notification module that sends automated alerts (email, in-app, or Slack) to managers when predicted morale dips exceed defined thresholds.

Acceptance Criteria
Manager Configures Alert Threshold
Given a manager is on the Notification Settings page When they set a predicted morale dip threshold to a specific percentage Then the threshold is saved, displayed correctly, and will be used for future AI predictions
Email Alert Delivery
Given predicted morale dip exceeds the configured threshold When the system processes AI-driven predictions Then an email alert is sent to the manager's registered email within 1 minute, including team name, predicted dip percentage, and recommended next steps
Slack Notification Delivery
Given Slack integration is enabled and configured When a predicted morale dip exceeds the manager’s threshold Then a Slack message is posted to the specified channel within 1 minute, containing team name, dip percentage, and alert details
In-App Notification Appearance
Given the manager is logged into PulseBoard When a predicted morale dip exceeds their threshold Then an in-app notification banner appears on the dashboard within 30 seconds, displaying the team name and predicted dip percentage
Notification Settings UI Validation
Given the manager navigates to Notification Settings When the page loads Then toggles for email, in-app, and Slack alerts are displayed with current saved values, and options to enable/disable each channel are functional
Notification Template Content Accuracy
Given an alert is generated When delivered via any channel Then the message includes the team name, predicted dip percentage, threshold value, timestamp, and a link to the detailed Morale Trends dashboard
Model Performance Monitoring
"As a machine learning engineer, I want to monitor prediction accuracy and detect model drift so that I can retrain and maintain forecast reliability."
Description

Establish performance tracking and metrics for the predictive model, including accuracy, precision, recall, and drift detection, with periodic retraining workflows.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Model Accuracy Tracking
Given the predictive model outputs and actual team morale outcomes over a rolling seven-day window, when accuracy falls below 85%, then the system generates an alert notification to the manager dashboard within 2 minutes.
Daily Precision and Recall Reporting
Given daily model evaluation data, when the daily batch job runs at 02:00 AM, then precision and recall metrics for the previous 24 hours are calculated and published in the performance report with calculation errors under 1%.
Drift Detection Alerting
Given live input data streams, when statistical drift detection identifies a shift above the predefined threshold (Kullback-Leibler divergence > 0.1), then an automated notification is sent to the data science team within 5 minutes.
Automatic Model Retraining Workflow
Given a detected model performance degradation or drift event, when retraining criteria are met, then the system automatically initiates the retraining pipeline, completes validation with equal or improved baseline metrics, and deploys the updated model within four hours.
Historical Performance Trend Analysis
Given the past 30 days of performance data, when a user requests trend analysis, then the dashboard displays line charts for accuracy, precision, and recall with data points for each day and trendline calculations within two seconds of the request.

Time-Lapse Replay

Animate your team’s mood heatmap over any selected timeframe with a smooth playback feature. Instantly spot when and where engagement shifted, empowering managers to correlate mood changes with project milestones or external events for deeper insights.

Requirements

Heatmap Animation Control
"As a team manager, I want to play back the mood heatmap animation so that I can visually observe how team engagement evolved over time."
Description

Implement a core animation engine that renders the team mood heatmap over a selectable timeframe with smooth transitions between data points. This requirement ensures real-time interpolation of mood values, dynamic color scaling, and performance optimizations for fluid playback across devices. It integrates with existing data APIs to fetch timestamped mood check-ins, processes the data into animation sequences, and supports pausing, resuming, and seeking within the playback.

Acceptance Criteria
Playback Initialization Scenario
Given the manager selects a valid start and end date for the heatmap playback When the animation engine is initialized and the "Play" button is clicked Then the first frame of the heatmap for the start timestamp must render within 200ms and display accurate mood data for all team members
Smooth Transition Rendering Scenario
Given a sequence of timestamped mood data points for the selected timeframe When the playback is running Then the heatmap must interpolate between each data point at a consistent 60fps (±5fps tolerance) with no dropped frames or visible stutter
Pause and Resume Control Scenario
Given the playback is in progress When the user clicks the "Pause" button Then the animation must halt immediately at the current frame and the "Play" button must toggle to "Resume" When the user clicks "Resume" Then playback must continue from the paused timestamp without reloading or skipping frames
Seek Functionality Scenario
Given the playback timeline slider is visible and active When the user drags the slider to a new timestamp and releases Then the heatmap must update to display the frame corresponding to that timestamp within 150ms and the animation frame indicator must reflect the new position
Dynamic Color Scaling Scenario
Given mood values vary between minimum and maximum thresholds during playback When each frame is rendered Then color intensity for each cell must scale dynamically based on the current value relative to the overall range, and remain consistent with the defined color palette
Timeframe Selector
"As a remote team manager, I want to select a specific timeframe for the replay so that I can focus on the period around key milestones."
Description

Build a user interface component that allows managers to define custom start and end dates for the replay. The selector must support presets (e.g., last week, last month), calendar pickers, and quick-range buttons for common intervals. It should validate input ranges, handle time zone differences, and update the animation controls to reflect the chosen period.

Acceptance Criteria
Preset Range Selection
Given the manager selects a preset interval (e.g., Last Week) When applied Then the start and end dates automatically update to the correct range and the replay reflects only that period
Custom Date Range Selection
Given the manager picks start and end dates using the calendar picker When the range is valid Then the timeline updates to those dates and the animation controls enable playback for that span
Invalid Date Range Handling
Given the manager enters an end date earlier than the start date When they attempt to apply the range Then an error message is displayed preventing submission and prompting for a valid range
Time Zone Adjustment Handling
Given the manager and team members are in different time zones When a range is selected Then dates normalize to the manager’s local time and the replay accurately reflects those timestamps
Animation Control Update
Given any new date range is applied When the manager opens the animation controls Then the play, pause, and timeline scrubber adjust to the updated start and end dates
Playback Speed Adjustment
"As a user, I want to change the playback speed so that I can review mood trends quickly or in detail."
Description

Provide controls to modify the playback speed of the mood replay, including slow-motion, normal, and accelerated modes. The feature should offer configurable speed steps (e.g., 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x) with clear UI indicators. It must smoothly adjust frame rates without data loss and synchronize the heatmap display and timestamp labels accordingly.

Acceptance Criteria
Selecting Slow-Motion Speed
Given the time-lapse replay is playing, when the user selects the 0.5x option, then the playback speed decreases to 0.5x, the heatmap animates smoothly at half the normal frame rate, and the timestamp labels update in real time.
Switching to Normal Speed
Given the replay is paused or playing at another speed, when the user selects the 1x option, then the playback speed resets to normal, the animation runs at the default frame rate without frame drops, and the timestamps align with the actual elapsed time.
Accelerating Playback Speed
Given the replay is active, when the user selects the 2x or 4x option, then the playback speed increases accordingly, the heatmap transitions remain smooth without skipping any data points, and the timestamp labels advance at the selected accelerated rate.
Dynamic Speed Indicator Update
When the user changes the playback speed, then the UI speed control button displays the current speed label (0.5x, 1x, 2x, or 4x) and is visually highlighted to reflect the active selection.
Consistent Data Synchronization
Given any playback speed setting, when the replay progresses, then each heatmap frame corresponds accurately to its timestamp, ensuring no data is skipped or duplicated across all speed options.
Event Annotation Overlay
"As an HR lead, I want to see annotations for key events during the replay so that I can correlate mood shifts with project activities."
Description

Enable overlaying annotated markers on the replay timeline to highlight project milestones, releases, or external events. This requirement includes storing event metadata, mapping events to timeline positions, and displaying interactive tooltips. The overlay should be toggleable, customizable in appearance, and linked to calendar or project management integrations for automatic event syncing.

Acceptance Criteria
Manual Event Annotation Display
Given the replay timeline is active and overlay is enabled, when a user manually adds an event with title, timestamp, and metadata, then a marker appears at the correct position on the heatmap with default styling visible.
Automatic Calendar Event Sync
Given calendar integration is connected and syncing is enabled, when a new event is created in the linked calendar system, then the event annotation appears on the replay timeline within 1 minute of creation with correct metadata.
Accurate Event Positioning
Given an event timestamp falls within the selected replay timeframe, when the timeline is rendered, then the marker is placed at the exact corresponding timestamp position within a 2% margin of error.
Interactive Tooltip Engagement
Given an event marker is displayed on the timeline, when a user hovers or clicks on the marker, then a tooltip appears showing event title, description, date/time, and link to source application.
Overlay Customization
Given the overlay toggle and customization settings are accessible, when a user updates marker color, icon, or visibility options, then the timeline immediately reflects the new appearance and settings persist on page reload.
Export & Sharing
"As a team lead, I want to export or share the mood replay so that I can present engagement trends in stakeholder meetings."
Description

Allow users to export the time-lapse replay as a video or animated GIF and share a link to the interactive replay within PulseBoard. The export process must capture the selected timeframe, playback settings, and any annotations. Shared links should respect permission levels, include embedded controls for playback, and track views for auditing.

Acceptance Criteria
Export Time-Lapse as MP4 Video
Given the user selects 'Export as MP4' with valid timeframe and playback settings, when the export is initiated, then the system generates an MP4 video file matching the selected timeframe, frame rate, resolution, and heatmap animation.
Export Time-Lapse as Animated GIF
Given the user selects 'Export as GIF' with valid timeframe and playback settings, when the export is initiated, then the system generates an animated GIF file matching the selected timeframe, loop settings, and heatmap animation.
Export Includes Annotations and Settings
Given the user has added annotations and customized playback settings (speed, date labels, team filters), when exporting, then the exported video/GIF includes all annotations and accurately reflects the selected playback settings.
Share Link with Permission Enforcement
Given the user shares a generated link, when a recipient accesses the link, then the system enforces the original user's permission level, restricting playback controls and data visibility according to the recipient's role.
Track Views for Auditing
Given a shared link is accessed, when the recipient views or plays the replay, then each view event (timestamp, user ID, action taken) is logged for auditing and retrievable in the admin audit logs.
Handle Export Failures Gracefully
Given the export process encounters an error (e.g., network failure or invalid parameters), when the error occurs, then the system displays an informative error message and logs the failure for troubleshooting without crashing.

QuickFilter Lens

Apply dynamic filters to isolate specific teams, projects, roles, or date ranges on the heatmap. Tailor your view to focus on high-priority groups or critical periods, enabling targeted analysis and more effective well-being interventions.

Requirements

Dynamic Filter Selection Panel
"As a team manager, I want a clear panel to choose specific teams, projects, roles, and dates so that I can focus the heatmap on areas most relevant to my immediate concerns."
Description

Implement a responsive panel that allows users to select and combine filters for teams, projects, roles, and date ranges. The panel should support checkbox and dropdown controls, intuitive grouping of filter categories, and clear labeling. Integration with PulseBoard’s heatmap should be seamless, ensuring that selected filters directly update the displayed data. This feature will enable managers to tailor their view to specific segments of their organization, facilitating targeted analysis and faster identification of well-being issues.

Acceptance Criteria
Team Filter Selection Panel Display
Given the user opens the Dynamic Filter Selection Panel, When the panel is rendered, Then the 'Teams' section displays all team names each with a checkbox, grouped under a clear 'Teams' heading.
Project Filter Dropdown Functionality
Given the user clicks the 'Projects' dropdown in the panel, When the dropdown expands, Then all active projects are listed alphabetically and the user can select or deselect any project.
Role Filter Multi-select Behavior
Given the user selects multiple roles via checkboxes under the 'Roles' section, When selections are made, Then all chosen roles remain checked and appear in the selected filters summary.
Date Range Filter Slider Interaction
Given the user adjusts the start and end handles of the date range slider, When the handles are moved and released, Then the selected date range is highlighted on the slider and reflected in the 'Date Range' field.
Combined Filters Heatmap Update
Given the user applies a combination of team, project, role, and date range filters, When the 'Apply Filters' button is clicked, Then the heatmap updates instantly to display only data matching all selected filters.
Multi-Criteria Filter Logic
"As an HR lead, I want to combine multiple filter conditions with AND/OR logic so that I can isolate specific employee segments for in-depth morale analysis."
Description

Develop advanced filtering logic that allows users to apply multiple criteria simultaneously, with support for AND/OR operations. Ensure that the backend query engine can efficiently process compound filters and return results without noticeable delay. The UI should clearly indicate how criteria are combined and allow users to adjust logic on the fly. This will empower HR leads to pinpoint complex segments—such as engineers on Project X who reported low morale in the last week—and make precise data-driven decisions.

Acceptance Criteria
Applying multiple filters with AND logic
Given the HR lead has selected the criteria Team = 'Engineering' AND Project = 'Project X' When the filters are applied Then the heatmap displays only entries matching both criteria
Combining filters with OR logic
Given the HR lead has selected the criteria Role = 'Manager' OR Role = 'Lead' When the filters are applied Then the heatmap displays entries matching either role
Toggling filter logic in the UI
Given multiple filter criteria are configured When the user switches between AND and OR operators Then the UI updates the results instantly and clearly indicates the active operator
Performance under compound filters
Given a compound filter with at least five criteria When the filters are applied Then the backend returns results within 500ms and the UI displays updated data without noticeable delay
Clearing and reapplying filters
Given filters are currently applied When the user clicks 'Clear All' Then all filters are removed and the heatmap returns to the default view And when new filters are configured and applied Then the heatmap updates accordingly
Real-Time Filter Application
"As a remote team manager, I want filters to update the heatmap in real-time so that I can immediately see the effects of my selections and make faster decisions."
Description

Ensure that any changes made to filter selections are applied instantly to the heatmap without requiring a manual refresh. Implement WebSocket or long-polling updates to push filtered data to the client immediately. Provide loading indicators only when necessary, optimizing for minimal perceived latency. This real-time responsiveness will keep insights up-to-date as users adjust filters, thereby maintaining context and improving workflow efficiency.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Team Filter Selection
Given the user selects a single team from the filter panel When the selection is confirmed Then the heatmap updates to display only the selected team's data within 500ms without requiring a manual refresh
Multiple Filter Updates
Given the user applies multiple filters in succession When multiple selections are made within 1 second Then the client batches these requests and updates the heatmap with the combined filter results in a single real-time update
Filter Reset
Given the user clicks the 'Clear All Filters' button When the button is activated Then the heatmap instantly reverts to the default unfiltered view without requiring a manual refresh
Loading Indicator Display
Given a filter change request takes longer than 300ms When data is being fetched Then a loading indicator appears on the heatmap and disappears immediately once the new data is rendered
WebSocket Reconnection Handling
Given the WebSocket connection drops While the user has active filters applied Then the client automatically attempts to reconnect and, upon success, reapplies the filters and updates the heatmap without user intervention
Save and Manage Filter Presets
"As an HR lead, I want to save my frequently used filter settings as presets so that I can quickly apply them without rebuilding filters each time."
Description

Provide functionality for users to save custom filter configurations as named presets, retrieve them later, rename or delete them. Store presets per user account and sync across devices. The UI should include a “Save Preset” button and a dropdown menu listing available presets. This feature will reduce repetitive setup, streamline frequently used views, and promote consistency in monitoring practices across sessions.

Acceptance Criteria
Save a New Filter Preset
Given a user has configured filters on the QuickFilter Lens, When the user clicks the “Save Preset” button, enters a unique preset name, and confirms the action, Then the new preset is stored under the user’s account, appears in the presets dropdown sorted alphabetically, and a confirmation message is displayed.
Retrieve and Apply a Saved Preset
Given a user has one or more saved presets, When the user opens the presets dropdown and selects a specific preset, Then the dashboard’s filters update to exactly match the preset configuration within 2 seconds and the selected preset is visually highlighted as active.
Rename an Existing Preset
Given a user views their saved filter presets, When the user selects the rename option for a preset, enters a new unique name, and saves, Then the preset name updates in the dropdown list immediately, retains its original filter settings, and the user sees a success notification.
Delete a Filter Preset
Given a user is managing their saved presets, When the user selects the delete option for a preset and confirms the deletion, Then the preset is removed from the user’s account, the dropdown list updates to exclude the deleted preset, and a deletion confirmation is shown.
Sync Presets Across Devices
Given a user makes changes (save, rename, or delete) to presets on one device, When the user logs into their account on a different device, Then the presets list reflects all changes within 5 seconds, ensuring consistency across devices.
Active Filter Visual Indicators
"As a team manager, I want to see which filters are active at a glance so that I can keep track of my current view and avoid misinterpretation of the data."
Description

Display clear visual cues indicating which filters are currently active. This includes badge counters on filter categories, a summary bar showing applied filters, and tooltip details on hover. Ensure that the indicators update dynamically as filters change. These visual aids will help users understand the scope of their current view at a glance and prevent confusion when multiple filters are in effect.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Filter Active
Given a user selects one filter category in the QuickFilter Lens When the filter is applied to the heatmap Then a badge counter with value “1” appears on the selected filter category And the summary bar displays the name of that filter And hovering over the badge shows a tooltip with “1 active filter”
Multiple Filters Active
Given a user applies multiple filters across different categories When the filters are active on the heatmap Then each filter category displays a badge with the correct count of selected values And the summary bar lists all active filters separated by commas And the total number of active filters is shown alongside the summary bar
Clearing All Filters
Given a user has one or more filters applied When the user clicks the “Clear All” control in the summary bar Then all filter badges are removed And the summary bar updates to display “No filters applied”
Real-Time Filter Updates
Given a user changes filter selections sequentially or simultaneously When the filter state changes Then badge counters and the summary bar update immediately without delay And no stale or incorrect filter indicators are displayed at any time
Filter Tooltip Details Display
Given a user hovers over any filter badge or entry in the summary bar When the tooltip appears Then it displays the filter category name, selected values, and count of results And the tooltip content matches the current active filters exactly

Critical Zone Highlight

Automatically spotlight heatmap cells that cross predefined mood thresholds or represent significant sentiment dips. This visual emphasis ensures urgent issues jump off the page, helping managers prioritize timely check-ins and support.

Requirements

Threshold Configuration
"As an HR lead, I want to define mood thresholds so that the system can automatically highlight critical sentiment dips."
Description

Allow administrators to define and adjust critical mood thresholds for the heatmap, including options for global defaults and per-team overrides. Integrate this configuration into the settings panel with descriptive labels and real-time validation of threshold ranges. Ensure that changes are versioned and auditable, enabling teams to align threshold values with organizational standards and evolving wellness goals.

Acceptance Criteria
Global Threshold Configuration
Given an administrator navigates to the Threshold Configuration settings panel When they input global min and max mood threshold values Then the system accepts values between 0 and 100 inclusive and displays a confirmation message
Per-Team Threshold Override
Given an administrator selects a specific team in the settings panel When they override the default mood thresholds for that team Then the new threshold values are saved and highlighted for that team without affecting the global defaults
Threshold Range Validation
Given an administrator inputs a threshold value outside the 0–100 range When they attempt to save the configuration Then the system prevents the save action and displays a real-time validation error indicating the acceptable range
Threshold Changes Versioning
Given an administrator modifies existing threshold values When they confirm and save the changes Then the system stores a new version entry with timestamp, user ID, and changed values in the audit log
Descriptive Label Display
Given an administrator views the Threshold Configuration panel When labels for global and per-team threshold settings are displayed Then each label clearly describes the setting’s purpose and includes tooltip explanations
Real-Time Detection Engine
"As a manager, I want the system to automatically detect cells crossing mood thresholds in real time so that I can be alerted to emerging issues immediately."
Description

Implement a streaming data processor that continuously evaluates incoming mood check-ins against the configured thresholds. Integrate this engine with the existing dashboard backend, ensuring low-latency detection and flagging of heatmap cells that cross critical boundaries. Include failover handling and logging for audit and diagnostics, guaranteeing reliable performance under peak loads.

Acceptance Criteria
Live Mood Threshold Breach Detection
Given a user submits a mood check-in where the sentiment score crosses the critical threshold of two standard deviations below the baseline, when the streaming processor receives the data, then the system must flag the corresponding heatmap cell as 'critical' and emit an alert within 200 milliseconds.
Dashboard Heatmap Highlight Integration
Given a flagged critical event from the detection engine, when the dashboard backend refreshes its data, then the highlighted heatmap cell must display with the predefined alert color on the manager’s dashboard within 500 milliseconds.
Engine Failover Activation
Given the primary detection engine instance fails to send a heartbeat for more than five seconds, when automatic failover initiates, then the secondary instance must take over processing without data loss or duplication and restore full service within ten seconds.
Low-Latency Processing Under Peak Load
Given a sustained input rate of 1,000 mood events per second, when the streaming engine operates under peak load for fifteen minutes, then 99% of events must be processed and flagged in under 300 milliseconds.
Audit Logging of Threshold Events
Given any mood event that crosses a critical threshold, when the detection engine processes the event, then it must record an audit log entry with timestamp, user ID, mood value, threshold breached, and instance ID in the audit datastore within 100 milliseconds.
Heatmap Highlight Styling
"As a manager, I want critical cells to be visually distinct on the heatmap so that I can quickly spot urgent issues."
Description

Design and apply distinctive visual cues—such as color intensification, border glow, and pulsing animation—to highlight critical cells on the heatmap. Ensure accessibility compliance by maintaining adequate contrast and providing alternative text for screen readers. Integrate tooltips that display detailed sentiment data on hover, enabling managers to glean context without leaving the dashboard.

Acceptance Criteria
Threshold-Based Highlight Activation
Given a heatmap cell’s sentiment score crosses the predefined critical threshold, When the dashboard loads or the mood score updates in real time, Then the cell’s background color changes to the designated highlight color with a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1, a 2px glowing border, and the pulsing animation begins at 1.2-second intervals.
Pulsing Animation Accessibility Compliance
Given a user has “reduced motion” enabled in their system or browser settings, When highlighted cells would normally animate, Then the pulsing animation is suppressed and replaced with a static glowing border while retaining color intensity.
Tooltip Data Display on Hover
Given a user hovers over a highlighted heatmap cell, When the hover event occurs, Then within 200ms a tooltip appears showing the cell’s sentiment score, percentage change, and timestamp; the tooltip remains fully visible within the viewport and follows WCAG 2.1 tooltip accessibility guidelines.
Screen Reader Alternative Text Rendering
Given a screen reader is active, When it navigates to a highlighted heatmap cell, Then the cell is announced as a focusable element with an ARIA-label formatted as “Critical sentiment: [score] on [date]” and no additional hidden or empty labels.
High Contrast Mode Compatibility
Given the application is rendered in high contrast mode, When highlighted cells appear on the heatmap, Then they use system-defined high contrast colors, maintain a minimum contrast ratio of 3:1 against adjacent cells, and the pulsing animation is disabled.
Immediate Notification Alerts
"As a manager, I want to receive immediate notifications when critical zones are detected so that I can take timely action."
Description

Develop a notification subsystem that triggers alerts whenever a critical zone is detected. Support multiple channels, including in-app banners, email digests, and Slack integrations. Include customizable alert templates with embedded links to the specific heatmap view and sentiment details. Ensure rate limiting and user preferences are respected to prevent notification fatigue.

Acceptance Criteria
In-App Banner Alert for Critical Zone Detection
Given a team’s mood heatmap cell crosses the predefined critical threshold, when the system detects this event, then an in-app banner appears immediately for all subscribed managers with the team name and sentiment score.
Email Digest Alert Generation with Embedded Heatmap Link
Given one or more critical zones detected within the past hour, when the scheduled email digest runs, then the system sends a single email to each manager containing each incident with a direct link to the specific heatmap view and sentiment details.
Slack Notification Dispatch Respecting User Preferences
Given a manager’s Slack integration is enabled and notification preference is set to ‘instant’, when a critical zone is detected, then a Slack message is posted to the configured channel including the team name, sentiment score, and link to the heatmap.
Notification Rate Limiting Under High-Frequency Critical Zones
Given multiple critical zones are detected within a 5-minute window for the same team, when notifications are triggered, then the system sends only one alert per channel per team and queues additional alerts with a minimum 5-minute interval.
Custom Alert Template Application
Given a manager has customized their alert template variables (e.g., greeting, signature, priority tag), when notifications are generated, then the system populates the templates correctly and delivers the message with the custom elements preserved.
Critical Event Filter
"As a manager, I want to filter the heatmap to display only critical events over a specific period so that I can analyze patterns and adjust strategies."
Description

Add filtering controls to the dashboard that allow users to display only those heatmap cells marked as critical within a selected date range. Integrate with existing date-picker components and ensure the filter state is shareable via URL parameters. Provide export functionality to download critical event data for offline analysis and reporting.

Acceptance Criteria
Filtering Critical Events by Date Range
Given a user selects a start and end date in the date picker and enables the Critical Events filter, when the dashboard refreshes, then only heatmap cells marked as critical within that date range are displayed.
Preserving Filter State in URL
Given a user applies a date range and enables the Critical Events filter, when they copy or share the page URL, then the URL includes parameters for dateStart, dateEnd, and critical=true.
Sharing Filtered Dashboard Link
Given a recipient opens a shared URL with date and critical filter parameters, when the page loads, then the dashboard automatically applies those parameters and displays only critical event cells for the specified date range.
Exporting Critical Events Data
Given the dashboard shows only critical events within a selected date range, when the user clicks the export button, then a CSV file downloads containing only the critical event records (including timestamp, mood score, sentiment change) for that date range.
Clearing Filters
Given the Critical Events filter and date range are applied, when the user clicks the ‘Clear Filters’ button, then all filters reset, the URL parameters are cleared, and the heatmap displays all cells irrespective of critical status or date.

Context Markers

Embed custom annotations directly onto the heatmap to log key events—like product launches, deadlines, or company-wide announcements. These markers provide immediate context for mood fluctuations, turning raw data into actionable stories.

Requirements

Annotation Creation Interface
"As an HR lead, I want to add context markers on the mood heatmap so that I can log key events and immediately understand shifts in team morale."
Description

Provide a seamless user interface enabling managers and HR leads to place custom context markers directly onto the sentiment heatmap with a single click. The interface should support intuitive workflows for adding event titles, dates, and brief notes. It must integrate with existing dashboard components, maintain performance across devices, and ensure accessibility standards are met.

Acceptance Criteria
Adding a New Context Marker
Given the manager is on the sentiment heatmap interface, When they click the 'Add Marker' button and enter a valid title, date, and note, Then the new marker appears at the correct date on the heatmap and is visible in the marker list.
Editing an Existing Marker
Given a context marker exists on the heatmap, When the manager selects the marker and updates the title or note then clicks 'Save', Then the marker's information updates accordingly on the heatmap without page reload.
Marker Visibility on Different Devices
Given a context marker is created, When a user views the heatmap on desktop, tablet, or mobile, Then the marker displays correctly in position with legible text and responsive layout.
Performance Under High Load
Given there are over 100 markers on the heatmap, When new markers are added or existing markers loaded, Then the interface updates within 200ms and no frame drop occurs.
Accessibility Compliance for Marker Creation
Given a user relies on keyboard navigation or a screen reader, When interacting with the marker creation form, Then all form fields and buttons are reachable via keyboard, properly labeled, and screen reader announces form fields correctly.
Marker Customization Options
"As a team manager, I want to customize marker appearance so that I can quickly distinguish between product launches, deadlines, and company announcements."
Description

Allow users to customize context markers by selecting colors, icons, and labels to differentiate event types and importance levels. The options panel should integrate with the dashboard’s styling system, support real-time previews, and maintain consistency with the product’s design language.

Acceptance Criteria
Color Picker Selection
Given the user is in the customization panel, when they select a color from the color picker, then the marker color in the real-time preview updates to the selected color.
Icon Library Integration
Given the user opens the icon selector, when they choose an icon, then the marker icon in the real-time preview matches the selected icon.
Label Input and Validation
Given the user enters a custom label for the marker, when they submit, then the label appears in the preview and is validated (max 20 characters, no special symbols).
Real-Time Preview Updates
Given the user modifies any customization option, when changes are made to color, icon, or label, then the preview reflects all updates within 200ms.
Styling Consistency with Dashboard Theme
Given the user views the customization panel, then all UI components (buttons, inputs, pickers) adhere to the dashboard’s design tokens for fonts, spacing, and color palette.
Role-Based Marker Permissions
"As an administrator, I want to control which roles can add or modify context markers so that event annotations remain accurate and secure."
Description

Implement permissions that restrict who can create, edit, or delete context markers based on user roles. The system should enforce rules from the organization’s existing RBAC system, provide clear feedback on permission errors, and allow administrators to delegate marker management responsibilities.

Acceptance Criteria
Admin Creates a Context Marker
Given an Admin user is logged in and has access to the heatmap page When the Admin clicks “Add Marker” and fills in a timestamp and annotation Then the system saves the marker, displays it at the correct point on the heatmap, and shows a success message
Manager with Delegated Permissions Edits a Context Marker
Given a Manager user has been granted marker_management permissions When the Manager selects an existing marker, updates its annotation or timestamp, and clicks “Save” Then the marker reflects the changes immediately and a confirmation message appears
Employee Attempts to Create Context Marker Without Permission
Given an Employee role user without creation rights When the user attempts to access the “Add Marker” button or calls the create-marker API Then the UI hides or disables the button and the API returns a 403 Forbidden with a clear error message
Administrator Revokes Marker Management Permission
Given an Admin removes marker_management permissions from a Manager user When that Manager next views or refreshes the heatmap Then the edit and delete options are no longer visible in the UI and API calls to modify markers return 403 Forbidden
Audit Log Records Context Marker Activities
Given any user creates, updates, or deletes a context marker When the action is completed Then the system writes an audit log entry containing user ID, role, action type, timestamp, and marker details
Heatmap Display and Positioning
"As a remote team manager, I want markers to appear exactly where events occurred on the heatmap so that I can correlate them with mood fluctuations."
Description

Ensure context markers render accurately on the heatmap, anchored to the correct date and time coordinates. Markers should scale and reposition properly when zooming or changing date ranges, and hover or click interactions should display marker details without obstructing heatmap data.

Acceptance Criteria
Default Heatmap Marker Alignment
Given the heatmap is displayed at default zoom and current date range, when a context marker for a specific date and time is created or loaded, then the marker appears exactly on the corresponding cell aligned to that date and time coordinate.
Zoom Level Marker Adjustment
Given the user adjusts the heatmap zoom level, when the view scales in or out, then all context markers reposition and rescale accurately to maintain alignment with their original date and time positions without overlapping neighboring cells.
Date Range Change Marker Repositioning
Given the user changes the heatmap date range filter, when the heatmap refreshes, then all context markers within the new range are repositioned to the correct timeline slots and markers outside the range are hidden.
Hover Interaction for Marker Details
Given the user hovers over a context marker on the heatmap, when the hover event is triggered, then a non-obstructive tooltip displays the marker’s title, description, and timestamp, and hides when the cursor moves away.
Click Interaction for Persistent Marker Details
Given the user clicks on a context marker, when the click event occurs, then a detail panel opens adjacent to the heatmap showing full annotation information, and closes when the user clicks the close icon or outside the panel.
Marker Filtering and Search
"As an HR lead, I want to filter markers by event type and keywords so that I can focus on specific annotations when analyzing team morale."
Description

Enable users to filter and search context markers by date range, event type, and keywords. The filter panel should update the heatmap in real time to show only relevant markers, and the search function should highlight matching annotations.

Acceptance Criteria
Filtering markers within a date range
Given the user selects a start date and end date in the filter panel, When the dates are applied, Then only markers whose timestamps fall between the selected dates are displayed on the heatmap.
Filtering markers by event type
Given the user chooses one or more event types from the filter panel, When the event types are applied, Then only markers matching the selected event types appear on the heatmap.
Searching markers by keyword
Given the user enters a keyword into the search field and executes the search, When the search is performed, Then annotations containing the keyword are highlighted and non-matching annotations are hidden.
Combining date range and event type filters
Given the user sets both a date range and selects specific event types, When the combined filters are applied, Then the heatmap displays only markers that meet both the date range and event type criteria.
Real-time heatmap update on filter changes
Given the user modifies any filter or search parameter, When the change is made, Then the heatmap updates instantly to reflect the new filter settings without requiring a page reload.
Marker Data Export
"As a team manager, I want to export marker data with mood metrics so that I can share comprehensive reports with stakeholders."
Description

Provide functionality to export context marker data along with heatmap metrics in CSV and PDF formats. The export should include marker metadata (title, date, description, creator) and integrate with existing reporting tools to support offline analysis.

Acceptance Criteria
Export Context Marker Data in CSV
Given a user on the reporting page with selected markers, when the user chooses CSV format and clicks export, then the system downloads a CSV file containing columns: marker_title, marker_date (ISO 8601), marker_description, marker_creator, heatmap_date, mood_score for each marker entry.
Export Context Marker Data in PDF
Given a user on the reporting page with selected markers, when the user selects PDF format and clicks export, then the system generates a PDF report including a table with marker metadata and corresponding heatmap metrics, and prompts the user to download the file.
Validate Export File Naming Convention
When exporting in CSV or PDF, then the file name must follow the pattern PulseBoard_Heatmap_Markers_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.ext (where ext is csv or pdf).
Data Integrity in Export
Given markers and heatmap metrics for the selected date range, when exported, then the number of rows in the CSV or pages in the PDF report must match the number of markers with no missing or duplicate records.
Integration with Existing Reporting Tools
Given the exported CSV file, when imported into Excel or a BI tool, then marker_date fields parse as dates, mood_score fields parse as numbers, and no import errors occur.

Forecast Overlay

Layer AI-driven mood predictions onto your historical heatmap, revealing potential future dips or peaks. By juxtaposing past and projected sentiment, managers can proactively plan interventions and resource adjustments before disengagement occurs.

Requirements

Data Prediction Engine Integration
"As a HR lead, I want the Forecast Overlay to use the latest mood check-in data so that predictive insights reflect current team sentiment and allow timely interventions."
Description

Integrate the AI-driven prediction model with real-time and historical mood datasets, ensuring seamless data flow from mood check-ins into the forecasting engine. By embedding the prediction engine directly into PulseBoard’s data pipeline, forecast overlays will always reflect the latest sentiment inputs, minimizing latency between data collection and forecast generation. Implementation involves connecting backend API endpoints to the model service, scheduling batch or streaming data feeds, and validating data consistency. The expected outcome is accurate, real-time forecasts overlaid on historical heatmaps, empowering managers with up-to-date insights.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Data Ingestion Validation
Given a mood check-in is submitted, when processed by the data pipeline, then the prediction engine receives the data within 5 seconds.
Historical Data Synchronization
Given existing historical mood data, when the integration runs, then all records are accurately ingested into the prediction engine without data loss or duplication.
Forecast Overlay Accuracy
Given the latest sentiment inputs, when the forecast overlay is rendered, then predicted sentiment values match model outputs with less than 2% deviation.
API Endpoint Connectivity
Given configured backend API endpoints, when a request is sent, then the prediction service responds with valid forecast data and HTTP 200 status.
Data Consistency Check
Given streaming and batch data feeds, when ingested, then record counts and key sentiment metrics remain consistent with source datasets.
Forecast Overlay Toggle
"As a team manager, I want to toggle forecast overlays on my sentiment heatmap so that I can easily compare past sentiment with predicted trends and focus on relevant views."
Description

Provide a user interface control that enables managers to switch the forecast overlay on or off within the historical sentiment heatmap. This toggle improves usability by allowing users to compare views with and without forecasts, focusing on either past sentiment patterns or projected trends. The feature integrates into the dashboard settings and heatmap legend, offering an interactive way to customize the visualization. The expected outcome is enhanced analytical flexibility and clearer data interpretation for proactive decision-making.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Forecast Overlay Toggle in Heatmap Legend
Given the user is viewing the historical sentiment heatmap When the user clicks the forecast overlay toggle in the heatmap legend Then the forecast overlay is rendered on top of the historical data And the toggle control visually indicates it is "On"
Disabling Forecast Overlay via Legend Control
Given the forecast overlay is currently active on the heatmap When the user clicks the forecast overlay toggle control again Then the forecast overlay is removed And the heatmap displays only historical sentiment data And the toggle control visually indicates it is "Off"
Toggle State Persistence Across Dashboard Refresh
Given the user sets the forecast overlay toggle to "On" When the user refreshes the dashboard page Then the forecast overlay remains displayed on the heatmap And the toggle control remains in the "On" state
Toggle State Persistence Across Sessions
Given the user sets the forecast overlay toggle to a state ("On" or "Off") When the user logs out and then logs back in Then the forecast overlay toggle state is preserved And the heatmap reflects the preserved state immediately upon login
Responsive Toggle Behavior on Mobile Devices
Given the user accesses the dashboard on a mobile device When the user taps the forecast overlay toggle in the legend Then the forecast overlay toggles on or off correctly And the heatmap and legend layout adjust without visual breaks or overlaps
Confidence Interval Display
"As a project lead, I want to see confidence intervals on sentiment forecasts so that I understand the reliability of predictions and plan resources accordingly."
Description

Display upper and lower confidence bands around predicted sentiment points on the heatmap to visualize forecast uncertainty. By overlaying shaded areas around the forecast line that represent confidence intervals, managers can immediately gauge the reliability of predictions. Implementation requires extracting interval data from model outputs, rendering shaded regions on the visualization, and providing a legend explaining the intervals. The expected outcome is increased trust in the forecast data and better-informed risk assessment.

Acceptance Criteria
Confidence Bands Toggle Scenario
Given the user is viewing the forecast overlay, when they enable the 'Show Confidence Bands' option, then shaded upper and lower bounds appear around every forecasted sentiment point on the heatmap.
Hover Interaction Scenario
Given the user hovers over a forecasted data point with confidence bands visible, when the hover state is active, then a tooltip displays the exact upper and lower confidence interval values from the model output.
Legend Explanation Scenario
Given the confidence bands are displayed on the heatmap, then a legend is visible adjacent to the chart explaining the shaded area's meaning and the percentage confidence level.
Rendering Accuracy Scenario
Given the model outputs upper and lower confidence interval data, when rendering the heatmap overlay, then the shaded bands must align precisely to the corresponding forecast line without gaps or misplacement.
Responsive Design Scenario
Given the application is viewed on screens of various sizes, when confidence bands are displayed, then the shaded regions and legend adapt without overlap or truncation across desktop, tablet, and mobile viewports.
Forecast Dip Alerts
"As an HR manager, I want to receive alerts when forecasted sentiment falls below my set threshold so that I can address team morale issues before they escalate."
Description

Enable users to configure threshold-based alerts for predicted drops in team sentiment. When forecasts indicate that sentiment will fall below a user-defined threshold within a specified time window, the system sends notifications via email or in-app alerts. This proactive alerting feature empowers managers to intervene early, preventing disengagement before it occurs. Implementation includes UI components for setting thresholds, a scheduler to evaluate forecast outputs against those thresholds, and integration with the notification service. The expected outcome is timely awareness of potential morale issues.

Acceptance Criteria
Threshold Configuration for Forecast Dip Alerts
Given the manager accesses the Forecast Dip Alerts settings, when they input a sentiment threshold and time window and click save, then the system persists the settings and displays a confirmation message.
Automated Evaluation of Predicted Sentiment Against Thresholds
Given new forecast data is generated, when the scheduler runs at the configured interval and detects a predicted sentiment value below the saved threshold within the specified time window, then the system creates a pending alert event.
In-App and Email Notification Delivery on Threshold Breach
Given a pending alert event exists, when the alert is marked triggered, then the system sends an in-app notification and dispatches an email to all subscribed users within 5 minutes.
User Modification of Alert Thresholds Updates Scheduler
Given the manager modifies the sentiment threshold or time window in settings, when they save the changes, then the scheduler immediately adopts the new parameters for all subsequent forecast evaluations.
Audit Logging of Forecast Dip Alert Events
Given any alert event is triggered or dismissed, when the system processes the event, then it logs the event with timestamp, user ID, forecasted sentiment value, and threshold value and makes it available in the audit log.
Forecast Comparison Metrics
"As an executive, I want to see metrics comparing past and future sentiment so that I can quantify potential morale shifts and justify resource allocations."
Description

Calculate and display key quantitative metrics comparing historical sentiment and forecasted trends, such as percentage change projections, peak sentiment divergence, and average forecast accuracy over time. These metrics should be presented in a dedicated panel on the dashboard and available for export in report formats. By offering numerical comparisons, this feature supports deeper analysis, resource planning, and justification of interventions. The expected outcome is enhanced decision support and measurable insights into potential morale shifts.

Acceptance Criteria
Percentage Change Projection Calculation
Given a time frame and both historical and forecasted sentiment data are available, when the Forecast Overlay panel is viewed, then the system calculates and displays the percentage change projection between average historical sentiment and average forecasted sentiment for the selected period, rounded to one decimal place and updated in real time.
Peak Sentiment Divergence Identification
Given historical and forecasted sentiment data spanning the selected date range, when the Forecast Overlay is activated, then the dashboard highlights the maximum divergence between historical peak sentiment and forecasted peak sentiment, clearly labeling the dates and divergence value.
Average Forecast Accuracy Display
Given a dataset of past forecasts and actual outcomes for corresponding periods, when accessing the Forecast Comparison Metrics panel, then the system calculates the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) over the last three months and displays the average forecast accuracy percentage, rounded to the nearest whole number.
Metrics Export Functionality
Given the Forecast Comparison Metrics panel is populated, when the user clicks the Export button, then a CSV and PDF report containing percentage change projections, peak sentiment divergence, and average forecast accuracy is generated and downloaded within five seconds.
Dashboard Panel Responsiveness
Given various screen resolutions (desktop, tablet, mobile), when viewing the Forecast Comparison Metrics panel, then all metrics and controls are fully visible without horizontal scrolling, with legible text and functional export button on each device.

Streak Tracker

Tracks consecutive weeks of challenge participation, motivating users to maintain engagement by showcasing streak milestones and unlocking bonus rewards for sustained well-being efforts.

Requirements

Streak Counting Engine
"As a regular user, I want the system to accurately track my weekly participation streaks so that I can see my progress and stay motivated."
Description

Implement a robust backend service that tracks users’ consecutive weekly challenge participations, calculates current streak length, and handles edge cases such as missed check-ins or calendar shifts. This service must integrate with the existing user and challenge databases, ensure real-time accuracy, and support horizontal scaling to accommodate growth.

Acceptance Criteria
Consecutive Weekly Streak Incrementation
Given a user completes a weekly challenge check-in every week without missing a calendar week, When the Streak Counting Engine updates the streak, Then the current streak length increases by 1 and the longest streak is updated if the current streak exceeds the previous longest streak.
Streak Reset After Missed Week
Given a user fails to complete a check-in during a calendar week, When the next check-in is recorded, Then the current streak resets to 1 and the missed-week flag is logged in the database.
Leap Year and Calendar Shift Handling
Given the system crosses a leap day or daylight saving time change, When calculating weekly participation, Then the engine correctly identifies week boundaries based on ISO week date standards and does not miscount streak continuity.
Multi-Timezone Participation Consistency
Given users in different time zones complete check-ins, When timestamps are normalized, Then the engine correctly attributes each check-in to the appropriate calendar week in the user's local time zone.
High Volume Concurrent Check-Ins
Given hundreds of users complete check-ins simultaneously, When the engine processes concurrent requests, Then the streak counts are accurately updated without race conditions, and performance remains within 200ms response time per request under load.
Missed Participation Notifications
"As a user, I want to receive reminders before I miss a weekly check-in so that I can maintain my streak."
Description

Develop an automated notification system that sends timely reminders to users who are at risk of breaking their streak. Notifications should be configurable (email, push, or in-app) and sent one day before the week’s end, highlighting the current streak and encouraging completion of the week’s challenge.

Acceptance Criteria
Configurable Notification Channel
Given the user has selected push notifications as their preferred channel, When the system is one day away from the end of the challenge week, Then a push notification is sent to the user’s device reminding them of their current streak and encouraging completion of the challenge.
Duplicate Notification Prevention
Given that a reminder has already been sent within the current week, When the notification system attempts to send another reminder, Then the system ensures no duplicate reminders are delivered within a 24-hour period.
Personalized Streak Information
Given the user has an active streak of N consecutive weeks, When the reminder notification is generated, Then the message includes the exact streak count and dynamically selected motivational text based on user preferences.
Notification Delivery Confirmation Logging
Given a notification is dispatched, When the delivery attempt succeeds or fails, Then the system records an audit log entry with the timestamp, status ("sent" or "failed"), channel used, and user identifier.
Notification Retry Mechanism
Given a notification delivery attempt fails due to transient errors, When the initial send fails, Then the system retries sending up to three additional times at 5-minute intervals before logging a permanent failure.
Streak Milestone Badges
"As a user, I want to earn and view badges for streak milestones so that I feel rewarded for my sustained participation."
Description

Design and implement a visual badge system that awards users when they reach streak milestones (e.g., 4, 8, 12 weeks). Badges should be displayed on the user’s dashboard and profile, with tooltip descriptions explaining each milestone level. The system must be extensible to add new badges easily.

Acceptance Criteria
Streak Milestone Badge Rendering
Given a user has completed 4 consecutive weeks of participation When they view their dashboard Then the ‘4-Week Streak’ badge appears in the badges section with the correct icon and color
Badge Tooltip Accuracy
Given a streak badge is displayed When the user hovers over the badge Then a tooltip appears showing the milestone description, date earned, and any unlocked rewards
Badge Extensibility for New Milestones
Given a new milestone configuration is added to the system When an administrator publishes the update Then the system automatically generates and displays the corresponding new badge without code changes
Profile Page Badge Display
Given a user with earned badges When they view their profile page Then all earned streak badges are listed in chronological order with tooltips functioning correctly
Duplicate Badge Prevention
Given a user has already earned a milestone badge When the user completes the same milestone again Then the system does not issue a duplicate badge or duplicate tooltip entry
Streak Reset after Break
Given a user misses a weekly check-in breaking their streak When they resume participation Then the streak count resets and only eligible new badges can be earned
Bonus Reward Allocation
"As a user, I want to receive bonus rewards when I maintain a streak so that I’m motivated to continue my well-being efforts."
Description

Create a reward management module that unlocks bonus incentives (such as points, coupon codes, or in-app perks) when users hit predefined streak thresholds. The module must integrate with the existing rewards engine, validate eligibility rules, and automatically credit the user’s account once the streak milestone is confirmed.

Acceptance Criteria
Streak Milestone Achieved
Given a user has completed the predefined consecutive-week streak threshold, when the streak tracker processes the user’s week-end check-in, then the system unlocks the corresponding bonus reward and displays a confirmation notification.
Eligibility Validation
Given a user requests a bonus reward, when the system validates the user’s streak data and reward history, then eligibility is confirmed only if the streak threshold is met and the reward has not been previously claimed.
Reward Allocation Confirmation
Given an unlocked bonus reward, when the system credits the reward, then the user’s account balance reflects the bonus immediately and the user can see the updated balance in their rewards dashboard.
Integration with Rewards Engine
Given a bonus reward allocation event, when the reward module sends the allocation request to the rewards engine API, then the engine responds with a success status and the system logs the transaction ID.
Error Handling for Ineligible Users
Given a user attempts to claim a bonus reward without meeting criteria, when the claim request is processed, then the system returns an error message explaining the failure reason and no reward is allocated.
Historical Streak Analytics
"As a team manager, I want to analyze my team’s streak trends over time so that I can identify patterns and support sustained engagement."
Description

Build a dashboard component that lets users view their streak history over time, including a calendar heatmap, trend graphs, and summary metrics (longest streak, average streak length). Ensure the data is queryable by date range and integrates with PulseBoard’s analytics API for consistency.

Acceptance Criteria
Date Range Filtering
Given the user selects a start and end date on the date picker, when the user applies the filter, then the dashboard displays streak data only within the specified date range, and the calendar heatmap, trend graph, and summary metrics update accordingly.
Calendar Heatmap Rendering
Given streak data is available for the selected date range, when the dashboard loads, then each day is represented by a colored cell where color intensity corresponds to the number of consecutive participation days, weekends and days without data are displayed in gray.
Trend Graph Display
Given streak data over time is loaded, when viewing the trend graph, then the line chart accurately plots weekly streak lengths with labeled axes for week start dates and streak lengths, including tooltips on hover showing exact values.
Summary Metrics Calculation
Given the full set of streak history data, when calculating summary metrics, then the dashboard displays the longest streak, current streak, and average streak length, and each metric value matches calculations performed via API.
API Integration Consistency
Given the analytics API returns streak history data, when the dashboard component requests data, then the data in the calendar heatmap, trend graph, and summary metrics match the API response fields and update in real-time without discrepancies.

Flash Challenges

Introduces surprise mini-challenges mid-week—like gratitude prompts or quick team wellness activities—to keep momentum high, drive spontaneous participation, and boost overall morale.

Requirements

Randomized Challenge Scheduler
"As a remote team member, I want to receive surprise mini-challenges at random times during the week so that I stay motivated and engaged without anticipating them."
Description

Automate the selection and timing of surprise mini-challenges by integrating a scheduling engine that triggers challenges at randomized intervals mid-week. It should ensure unpredictability to keep users engaged, seamlessly integrate with the existing PulseBoard calendar module, allow configuration of challenge frequency and time windows, and handle exceptions like holidays and different time zones.

Acceptance Criteria
Mid-Week Randomized Challenge Trigger
Given the scheduling engine is active and it is mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday), When the scheduler runs, Then it selects and dispatches a mini-challenge at a random time between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM in the configured window.
Holiday Exception Handling
Given a list of company holidays, When a scheduled challenge falls on a holiday, Then the scheduler automatically reschedules the challenge to the next valid mid-week day.
User Time Zone Adaptation
Given team members across multiple time zones, When scheduling a challenge, Then each user receives the challenge at a randomized time within their local 9:00 AM–5:00 PM window mid-week.
Challenge Frequency Configuration
Given an admin sets the challenge frequency to N per week, When the scheduler runs, Then exactly N challenges are triggered randomly within the defined mid-week period.
Integration with Calendar Module
Given the PulseBoard calendar module, When a challenge is scheduled, Then it appears as an event in the team’s shared calendar with correct date, time, and challenge description.
Challenge Content Library
"As an HR lead, I want a library of pre-built and customizable challenge templates so that I can quickly deploy varied and relevant activities without building them from scratch each time."
Description

Develop a centralized repository for mini-challenge templates, including gratitude prompts, quick wellness activities, and icebreaker questions. The library should support adding, editing, categorizing, and tagging content, integrate with the admin interface for easy management, and ensure that content is reusable and version-controlled.

Acceptance Criteria
Admin accesses the Challenge Content Library
Given the admin is logged into the PulseBoard admin interface When they navigate to the Challenge Content Library Then they should see a list of all mini-challenge templates with their titles, categories, and tags displayed
Admin adds a new challenge template
Given the admin is on the Challenge Content Library page When they click the 'Add New Template' button and enter a title, description, category, and tags Then the new template should be saved and appear in the library with the correct metadata
Admin edits an existing challenge template
Given the admin selects an existing template from the library When they update the title, description, category, or tags and click 'Save' Then the changes should be persisted and reflected in the library immediately
Admin categorizes and tags a challenge template
Given the admin is adding or editing a template When they assign one or more categories and tags Then the template should be filterable by those categories and tags in the library view
Version control of templates when updating content
Given the admin edits a template When they save the changes Then a new version should be created and the admin should be able to view and restore previous versions
User Prompt Notification System
"As a team member, I want to receive timely notifications about new flash challenges through my preferred channel so that I don’t miss opportunities to participate."
Description

Implement a notification engine to deliver flash challenge prompts via email, in-app banners, and mobile push notifications. It must support customizable notification templates, schedule deliveries based on user time zones, track delivery success and failures, and provide fallback channels if a primary notification fails.

Acceptance Criteria
Email Delivery for Flash Challenge Prompt
Given a scheduled flash challenge notification and a valid user email, when the send time occurs, then the system must send an email with the correct challenge content and record a delivery success event.
In-App Banner Notification Display
Given a user is active in the application during the notification window, when a flash challenge is triggered, then an in-app banner must appear within 5 seconds displaying the challenge title and a 'Participate Now' button.
Mobile Push Notification Delivery
Given the user has enabled mobile push notifications, when a flash challenge is scheduled, then the system must send a push notification with the correct title and message payload, and confirm device receipt.
Customizable Notification Template Usage
Given an administrator has selected or edited a notification template, when the flash challenge is dispatched, then the notification content must use the template placeholders correctly (e.g., user name, challenge details) and match the template preview.
Time Zone-Based Scheduling
Given users in different time zones, when scheduling flash challenge notifications, then each user must receive the notification at 9:00 AM in their local time zone.
Notification Fallback Channel Activation
Given a primary notification channel fails (e.g., email bounce or push rejection), when the failure is detected within 5 minutes of send attempt, then the system must automatically retry via the next configured fallback channel within 2 minutes and log both attempts.
Real-time Engagement Tracker
"As a team manager, I want to see real-time participation statistics for flash challenges so that I can gauge morale and adjust activities to maximize engagement."
Description

Create tracking functionality to monitor user interactions with flash challenges, capturing metrics such as participation rate, response times, completion status, and feedback ratings. Integrate these metrics into the PulseBoard analytics dashboard to display real-time statistics, trends over time, and allow filtering by team, department, or challenge type.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Participation Rate Display
Given a flash challenge is launched, when a team member completes the challenge, then the dashboard participation rate widget updates within 5 seconds reflecting the total number of participants divided by eligible users, accurate to two decimal places.
Response Time Reporting
Given a flash challenge is ongoing, when a participant submits a response, then the system captures the timestamp, calculates the response time, and displays the updated average response time per challenge on the analytics dashboard in real time.
Completion Status Tracking
Given multiple flash challenges have been launched, when a manager filters by challenge type, then the dashboard displays the count of completed versus pending participation for that challenge, updated live and accurate within one minute.
Feedback Rating Visualization
Given participants provide feedback on a completed challenge, when feedback is submitted, then the dashboard aggregates all ratings, calculates the average feedback score per challenge, and renders a trend line showing scores over the last 30 days.
Team and Department Filtering
Given participant data is tagged by team and department, when a manager applies a team or department filter, then the dashboard displays real-time metrics (participation rate, response time, completion status, average feedback) scoped exclusively to the selected team or department.
Admin Challenge Management Interface
"As an HR lead, I want an intuitive management interface for flash challenges so that I can easily configure activities, review performance, and refine content without technical assistance."
Description

Design an admin-facing UI within PulseBoard for creating, scheduling, editing, and reviewing flash challenges. The interface should support drag-and-drop scheduling, content preview, performance metric summaries, user feedback collection, and role-based access control, all integrated into the existing HR dashboard.

Acceptance Criteria
Create Flash Challenge
Given an admin is on the challenge management page, when they click 'Create New Challenge', then the create challenge modal appears with fields for title, description, start date, and end date; Given the admin fills in all required fields correctly and clicks 'Save', then the challenge is added to the challenge list with a 'Scheduled' status; Given any required field is empty or invalid, when the admin clicks 'Save', then validation errors are displayed next to the respective fields and the challenge is not created.
Schedule Flash Challenge
Given an existing draft challenge in the list, when the admin drags it onto the calendar view and drops it on a specific date/time slot, then the challenge’s scheduled date and time update accordingly and appear correctly on the calendar; Given the admin attempts to schedule a challenge at a time slot that conflicts with another challenge, when they drop it, then a conflict warning is displayed and the schedule remains unchanged.
Edit Flash Challenge Content
Given an admin selects an existing scheduled challenge and clicks 'Edit', then all challenge fields (title, description, schedule) become editable in a preview pane; Given the admin modifies one or more fields and clicks 'Update', then the changes are saved, the preview pane closes, and the updated details are reflected both in the list and calendar views.
Review Challenge Performance Metrics
Given an admin opens the 'Performance' tab for a completed challenge, when the tab loads, then summary metrics (participation rate, average mood change, number of feedback submissions) are displayed correctly; Given the admin hovers over any metric data point, then a tooltip shows detailed breakdowns (e.g., percentage breakdown by mood rating or feedback category).
Access Control Enforcement
Given a user with 'Viewer' role attempts to create, edit, or schedule challenges, when they select restricted actions, then they receive a 'Permission Denied' message and the actions are not available; Given a user with 'Admin' role accesses the interface, when they navigate through challenge management features, then all create, edit, schedule, and review functionalities are accessible without restriction.

Badge Showcase

Displays earned badges prominently on user profiles and team dashboards, fostering pride in achievements, encouraging friendly competition, and amplifying public recognition for positive mood contributions.

Requirements

Badge Assignment Engine
"As a Team Manager, I want badges to be awarded automatically based on my team’s mood contributions so that recognition is timely and consistent without manual intervention."
Description

Develop an automated rules-based engine to assign achievement badges to users based on predefined mood contribution milestones, consistent engagement patterns, and task completions. This engine will integrate with the existing mood check-in API, evaluate user activities in real time, and trigger badge awards instantly. It ensures accuracy, maintains performance under varying load, and provides an audit trail for badge assignments.

Acceptance Criteria
Milestone Badge Assignment
Given a user has reached 50 mood check-ins milestone When the badge assignment engine processes the milestone Then the engine assigns the corresponding milestone badge to the user profile within 5 seconds
Consistent Engagement Badge Recognition
Given a user completes a mood check-in every working day for a calendar month When the engine evaluates the user’s engagement pattern Then the engine issues the consistent engagement badge and records the assignment in the audit trail
Task Completion Badge Award
Given a user completes 100 system-tracked tasks When the engine evaluates task completions Then the engine awards the task completion badge and updates the user’s dashboard notification
High Concurrency Badge Processing
Given 10,000 simultaneous mood events submitted to the engine When the engine processes badge assignments under load Then processing throughput is ≥500 events/second, individual response time ≤500ms, and error rate is 0%
Audit Trail Entry Verification
Given a badge is assigned by the engine When the audit log is queried for that assignment Then the log entry contains correct timestamp, user ID, badge ID, and triggering event details
Profile Badge Display
"As a User, I want to see all my earned badges on my profile so that I can showcase my achievements and feel recognized."
Description

Implement a dynamic badge showcase section on each user’s profile page that pulls awarded badge data from the user’s record, displays badge icons with names, and supports responsive layouts for desktop and mobile. The section should allow sorting, filtering by badge category, and support long-press or hover interactions to reveal basic badge information.

Acceptance Criteria
Desktop Profile Badge Display
Given the user is on their profile page on a desktop browser, when the page loads, then all earned badges are displayed in a responsive grid showing each badge icon with its name underneath, with no truncation or overflow.
Mobile Profile Badge Display
Given the user is on their profile page on a mobile device, when the page loads, then the badge showcase adapts to a single-column or swipeable layout, displaying all badge icons and names legibly without horizontal scrolling.
Sorting Badges on Profile
Given the user selects a sorting option (e.g., newest first or alphabetical), when the option is applied, then the badges reorder correctly according to the selected criterion within two seconds.
Filtering Badges by Category
Given the user applies a category filter, when the filter is active, then only badges belonging to the selected category are visible and the remaining badges are hidden until filters are cleared.
Badge Detail Reveal Interaction
Given the user hovers over (desktop) or long-presses (mobile) a badge icon, when the interaction lasts at least 500ms, then a tooltip or overlay appears displaying the badge’s name and description, which dismisses when the cursor moves away or touch ends.
Team Dashboard Leaderboard
"As an HR Lead, I want a leaderboard that ranks team members by badges earned so that I can identify high achievers and encourage healthy competition."
Description

Design and build a leaderboard module within the team dashboard to highlight top badge earners, rank users by badge counts or weighted scores, and update rankings in real time after each mood check-in cycle. Include pagination, time filters (daily, weekly, monthly), and the ability for managers to customize ranking criteria.

Acceptance Criteria
Mood Check-In Triggers Leaderboard Refresh
Given a user completes a mood check-in, when the check-in is submitted, then the leaderboard updates automatically within 5 seconds to reflect any changes in rankings.
Leaderboard Pagination Navigation
Given a team has more than 10 members, when a user navigates between pages, then the leaderboard displays 10 entries per page and correctly orders users across pages.
Time Filter Application
Given a user selects a time filter (daily, weekly, monthly), when the filter is applied, then the leaderboard displays rankings based solely on badge counts or weighted scores within the selected timeframe.
Manager Custom Ranking Criteria
Given a manager opens the ranking criteria settings, when they select and save custom criteria (e.g., badge count, weighted score), then the leaderboard updates for all users to reflect the new ranking method.
Badge Count and Weighted Score Display
Given users have earned badges, when the leaderboard is displayed, then each user’s total badge count and weighted score are accurately shown next to their name, matching back-end calculations.
Badge Detail Popovers
"As a Team Member, I want to view details about each badge when I interact with it so that I understand what I achieved and how."
Description

Create interactive popover components that appear on hover (desktop) or tap (mobile) over each badge icon, displaying the badge’s title, description, criteria for earning it, date awarded, and a link to view related mood activity. Ensure accessibility compliance and performance optimization to minimize load times.

Acceptance Criteria
Desktop Hover Popover Display
Given a user is on a desktop device, when they hover over a badge icon for at least 300ms, then a popover appears showing the badge’s title, description, criteria for earning, date awarded, and a link to view related mood activity, and the popover disappears when the pointer moves away.
Mobile Tap Popover Display
Given a user is on a mobile device, when they tap a badge icon, then a popover appears showing all badge details including title, description, earning criteria, award date, and mood activity link, and tapping outside the popover or the close button hides it.
Accessibility Compliance
Given any user including keyboard-only and screen reader users, when the popover is triggered, then it must be focusable via Tab, include appropriate ARIA roles and labels for each field, and have text and background contrast meeting WCAG AA standards.
Performance under Load
Given the application is under normal load, when the popover is triggered for the first time, then it must render within 200ms, and for subsequent openings it must render within 100ms without degrading page performance.
Mood Activity Link Navigation
Given a user views a badge popover, when they click the link to view related mood activity, then they are navigated to the correct mood activity page filtered for that badge’s earning activities in the same tab.
Badge Notification System
"As a User, I want to receive alerts when I earn a badge so that I feel instantly recognized and can celebrate milestones."
Description

Establish a real-time notification system to inform users immediately upon earning a new badge. Implement in-app toast messages, email alerts (configurable opt-in), and optional Slack integration. Notifications should include the badge image, title, reason for award, and a link to view it on the profile.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-time In-app Toast Notification Display
Given a user is currently active in the app and earns a new badge when the badge is awarded then a toast notification must appear within 2 seconds of the awarding event and display the badge image, title, reason for award, and a “View on Profile” link
Configurable Email Badge Alert
Given a user has opted in for email notifications when a new badge is awarded then an email must be sent within 5 minutes of the event and include the badge image, title, reason for award, and a link to view the badge on the profile
Optional Slack Integration Notification
Given a user has connected their Slack workspace and enabled badge notifications when a badge is earned then a Slack message must be posted to the specified channel within 1 minute, containing the badge image, title, reason for award, and a profile link
Notification Content Accuracy
Given any notification channel (toast, email, Slack) when a badge notification is delivered then the badge image, title, and reason for award displayed must exactly match the information stored in the user’s profile with no formatting errors
Badge Notification Link Navigation
Given a user clicks the “View on Profile” link in any badge notification when the link is selected then the user must be redirected to their profile page and the newly earned badge must be highlighted or scrolled into view

Leaderboard Lift

Publishes a dynamic weekly leaderboard highlighting top participants and teams, sparking healthy competition, incentivizing engagement, and offering visibility into high-performing colleagues.

Requirements

Weekly Leaderboard Generation
"As an HR lead, I want the system to generate a weekly leaderboard automatically so that I can quickly review top-performing teams and individuals without manual effort."
Description

Automatically compile and update a weekly leaderboard that ranks individual contributors and teams based on their mood check-in frequency and engagement metrics. This process should run at a scheduled interval, aggregate data from all relevant user interactions, and prepare the results for display. The leaderboard generator must integrate with the existing mood check-in service and data warehouse to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

Acceptance Criteria
Scheduled Weekly Leaderboard Job Execution
Given the system clock reaches the scheduled weekly interval, when the leaderboard generation job is triggered, then the process starts automatically without manual intervention and completes within 5 minutes with a success log entry.
Data Aggregation from Mood Check-ins
Given all mood check-in records for the past week, when querying the data warehouse, then the job retrieves 100% of records with valid user IDs and timestamps within the defined interval.
Team Ranking Calculation
Given the retrieved mood check-in and engagement data, when computing rankings, then individual contributors and teams are ranked descending by check-in frequency and, in case of ties, by average engagement score.
Leaderboard Data Integration
Given the completed ranking computation, when sending data to the dashboard service, then the API call returns HTTP 200 with a payload matching the computed leaderboard structure.
Timely Dashboard Update
Given the leaderboard data is integrated, when a manager or HR lead accesses the dashboard, then the updated weekly leaderboard appears within 2 minutes of the job completion timestamp.
Participant and Team Ranking Logic
"As a remote team manager, I want clear and fair ranking criteria for individuals and teams so that I can trust the leaderboard’s reflection of true engagement levels."
Description

Define and implement the ranking algorithm that scores participants and teams based on configurable engagement metrics such as check-in consistency, response quality, and peer endorsements. The logic should support weighting factors, handle ties gracefully, and be extensible for future metrics. It must be tested for fairness and performance under real-world data loads.

Acceptance Criteria
Leaderboard Generation Scheduling
Given the system's weekly schedule, When the scheduled time arrives, Then the leaderboard is generated automatically without manual intervention and emailed to subscribed managers by 09:00 AM each Monday.
Tie Handling Mechanism
Given two or more participants or teams have identical scores, When the leaderboard is computed, Then the system applies the predefined tie-breaker rules (e.g., higher check-in consistency, then peer endorsements) and orders tied entries deterministically.
Weighting Configuration Application
Given an administrator updates the weighting factors for engagement metrics, When the new weights are saved, Then subsequent leaderboard calculations reflect the updated weights within 5 minutes and persist after system restarts.
Performance Under Peak Load
Given a simulated load of 10,000 participants checking in concurrently, When the ranking algorithm runs, Then the leaderboard is produced within 30 seconds with CPU usage not exceeding 80% and no errors logged.
Fairness Test Across Diverse Metrics
Given a diverse dataset of participants with varying check-in consistency, response quality, and peer endorsements, When the algorithm scores and ranks them, Then no single metric dominates more than 50% of the final score distribution and results align with manually calculated benchmarks.
Leaderboard UI Dashboard
"As a team member, I want to view the leaderboard in an intuitive dashboard so that I can see where I stand relative to my peers."
Description

Design and develop a responsive dashboard component that displays the weekly leaderboard with top participants and teams, including avatars, scores, and visual highlights. The UI should allow filtering by team, time frame, and demographic attributes, and should include tooltips explaining scoring criteria. It must seamlessly integrate with the PulseBoard interface, adhere to style guidelines, and provide smooth performance across devices.

Acceptance Criteria
Default Leaderboard Display
Given the dashboard loads for the current week When the user views the leaderboard Then the top 10 participants and teams are displayed in descending order by score with avatars, names, and scores visible
Filtering by Team Selection
Given the user opens the team filter dropdown When the user selects a specific team Then the leaderboard updates within 2 seconds to show only participants from that team
Time Frame Switch
Given the user selects a different time frame (e.g., previous week) When the selection is applied Then the leaderboard refreshes to display scores for the chosen time frame with no stale data
Demographic Attribute Filtering
Given the user chooses a demographic filter (e.g., department or location) When the filter is applied Then only participants matching the selected demographic attribute appear on the leaderboard
Score Tooltip Visibility
Given the user hovers over a score or visual highlight When the hover event is detected Then a tooltip appears explaining the scoring criteria clearly
Responsive Mobile Layout
Given the dashboard is viewed on a mobile device (screen width <600px) When the user scrolls Then the UI reflows without horizontal scrolling, avatars and details stack vertically, and performance remains smooth
Real-time Notification and Highlights
"As a team member, I want to receive notifications when I make the leaderboard so that I feel recognized and motivated to maintain my engagement."
Description

Implement push notifications and in-app highlights to alert users when they enter the top ranks or when their team takes the lead, fostering engagement and timely recognition. Notifications should be configurable by user preference and triggered based on leaderboard updates. This feature must integrate with the existing notification service and respect user notification settings.

Acceptance Criteria
Notification When User Enters Top Rank
When a user enters the top 3 positions on the weekly leaderboard, the system sends a push notification within 5 seconds.
Respect User Notification Preferences
If a user has disabled leaderboard notifications in their preferences, no push notification or in-app highlight is delivered.
Team Lead In-App Highlight
When a team’s cumulative score moves to the top position on the weekly leaderboard, all team members receive an in-app highlight banner on login within one minute.
Do Not Disturb Scheduling
Notifications are only delivered outside of the user's defined Do Not Disturb window.
Accurate Highlight Content
In-app highlights display the user’s current rank, previous rank, and the timestamp of the leaderboard update.
Privacy and Data Permissions
"As a team member, I want to control whether my check-in data appears on the public leaderboard so that I can maintain my privacy."
Description

Ensure the leaderboard respects user privacy by honoring individual data sharing preferences and organizational policies. Provide controls for users and admins to opt in or out of public ranking, anonymize entries, or restrict visibility by team. The implementation must comply with data protection regulations and include audit logging for permission changes.

Acceptance Criteria
User Opts In to Public Ranking
Given a user has enabled public ranking in privacy settings When the weekly leaderboard is generated Then the user’s real name and avatar are displayed publicly on the leaderboard
User Opts Out of Public Ranking
Given a user has disabled public ranking When the weekly leaderboard is generated Then the user’s entry appears as “Anonymous” or is omitted from public view
Admin Applies Team-Based Visibility Restrictions
Given an admin has restricted leaderboard visibility to specific teams When a user outside the selected teams views the leaderboard Then the leaderboard only shows entries for members of the allowed teams
User Enables Anonymization of Their Entry
Given a user has toggled anonymization on When the weekly leaderboard is displayed Then the user’s name and avatar are replaced with a generic icon and “Anonymous User” label
Audit Logging of Permission Changes
Given any user or admin changes a sharing or visibility setting When the change is confirmed Then an audit log entry is created recording user ID, timestamp, action type, and previous and new permission states
System Compliance with Data Protection Regulations
Given the leaderboard feature processes user data When generating or displaying the leaderboard Then all personal data handling follows GDPR and CCPA requirements, and data is encrypted in transit and at rest

Reward Redemption

Allows participants to convert challenge points into tangible perks—such as gift cards, extra time off, or wellness resources—providing concrete incentives that reinforce continued involvement and well-being habits.

Requirements

Reward Catalog Integration
"As a challenge participant, I want to browse a clear list of available rewards so that I can choose a perk that matches my interests and redeem my points easily."
Description

Implement a centralized reward catalog within PulseBoard where participants can browse and filter available perks such as gift cards, extra time off, or wellness resources. The system should fetch real-time reward data from backend services, categorize rewards by type and point cost, and support search and tag-based filtering. Integration with external vendors’ APIs should allow automated order processing and inventory checks. This feature ensures that users have a seamless, up-to-date view of redemption options, driving engagement by making rewards accessible and relevant.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Reward Data Retrieval
Given the user navigates to the Reward Catalog page When the page loads Then the system fetches the current list of rewards from the backend service in real time And displays all rewards with their names, types, and point costs
Reward Browsing and Filtering
Given the Reward Catalog displays all available rewards When the user selects a reward type filter or adjusts the point cost range Then only rewards matching the selected type and within the specified point range are displayed
Search and Tag-Based Filtering
Given the Reward Catalog provides a search field and tag list When the user enters a search term or selects one or more tags Then the catalog dynamically updates to show only rewards whose titles or descriptions contain the search term or associated tags
Automated Order Processing with Vendor API
Given the user has sufficient challenge points and selects a reward to redeem When the user confirms the redemption request Then the system sends an order creation request to the external vendor’s API And receives a success response containing an order ID And displays a confirmation message with the order ID to the user
Inventory Check and Error Handling
Given the user initiates a reward redemption When the external vendor’s API responds with an out-of-stock error Then the system displays a clear out-of-stock notification to the user And prevents deduction of challenge points
Point Balance Display
"As a user, I want to see my up-to-date point balance at a glance so that I know how close I am to redeeming a reward."
Description

Display each participant’s current point balance prominently on the dashboard and within the reward catalog. The point balance should update in real time after challenge completions or successful redemptions, with fallback synchronization every 60 seconds to ensure consistency. Visual indicators (e.g., progress bars, badges) should communicate how many points remain until the next reward tier. This transparency encourages ongoing engagement by letting users track their progress toward desired rewards.

Acceptance Criteria
Dashboard Point Balance Visibility
Given a participant is logged into PulseBoard When they navigate to their dashboard Then their current point balance is prominently displayed in the dashboard header and updates within 2 seconds after completing a challenge
Reward Catalog Balance Display
Given a participant opens the reward catalog When the catalog loads Then the participant’s current point balance is shown at the top of the catalog and immediately reflects any redemptions
Progress Bar Indicator
Given a participant views their point balance Then a progress bar displays the percentage of points earned toward the next reward tier and updates in real time to reflect new points
Real-Time Synchronization Fallback
Given the real-time update mechanism fails Then the system fetches and refreshes the point balance from the server at least once every 60 seconds until real-time updates resume
Error Handling for Balance Display
Given the participant’s point balance fails to load Then the UI displays a placeholder with an error message and retries fetching the balance every 60 seconds
Redemption Workflow
"As a participant, I want a guided process to redeem my points for a reward so that I can complete my order confidently without mistakes."
Description

Design and implement a step-by-step redemption workflow guiding participants through selecting a reward, confirming their choice, and submitting a redemption request. The workflow should validate point sufficiency, securely capture any required user information (e.g., shipping address, email), and provide an order summary before final confirmation. Upon submission, the system should deduct points, generate a unique redemption transaction, and trigger backend fulfillment processes. Clear status messages at each step will minimize user errors and abandoned redemptions.

Acceptance Criteria
Redemption With Sufficient Points
Given the user has at least the required points When they select a reward and click "Confirm Redemption" Then the system deducts the correct number of points from their balance, generates a redemption confirmation, and displays a success message
Redemption Blocked When Insufficient Points
Given the user has fewer points than needed When they attempt to confirm a reward redemption Then the system prevents submission, displays an "Insufficient Points" error message, and disables the confirmation button
Secure User Information Capture
Given the user proceeds to redemption for a physical or digital reward When they are prompted for delivery details Then all required fields (shipping address or email) are validated for format and completeness before allowing continuation
Order Summary Accuracy
Given the user has entered or confirmed their delivery information When they view the order summary Then the summary shows reward details, point cost, user information, and a final point balance, all matching the selected options
Backend Processing & Transaction Generation
Given the user submits a valid redemption request When backend processes the transaction Then a unique transaction ID is generated, points are deducted in the database, and a fulfillment request is queued, with status updated to "Pending Fulfillment"
Redemption Confirmation Notifications
"As a user, I want to receive confirmation that my redemption went through so that I know when and how I’ll receive my reward."
Description

Send automated notifications to participants and administrators upon successful redemption. Participants receive in-app confirmations and emails summarizing their reward details and estimated delivery timelines. Administrators receive backend alerts with transaction details for fulfillment tracking. Notification channels should be configurable, supporting email templates and webhook integrations with Slack or Microsoft Teams. These confirmations build trust by keeping users informed and facilitating operational coordination.

Acceptance Criteria
Participant In-App Confirmation Notification
Given a participant completes a successful reward redemption, when the transaction is processed, then an in-app notification is displayed immediately showing the reward name, point deduction, and estimated delivery timeline with a link to view redemption history.
Participant Email Summary Notification
Given a participant completes a successful reward redemption, when the redemption is confirmed, then an email is sent to the participant’s registered email address within five minutes containing the reward details, redemption code, estimated delivery timeline, and matches the selected email template.
Administrator Backend Alert Logging
Given a reward redemption event occurs, when the notification system processes the event, then an alert record containing participant ID, reward type, redemption timestamp, and delivery status is created in the administrator backend logs.
Configurable Notification Channel Selection
Given an administrator configures available notification channels, when a participant redeems a reward, then notifications are sent only through the selected channels (in-app, email, webhooks) and no others.
Slack/Microsoft Teams Webhook Integration
Given a webhook integration is configured for Slack or Microsoft Teams, when a participant completes a reward redemption, then a JSON payload with participant ID, reward details, and timestamp is posted to the configured webhook URL and the system logs a successful HTTP 200 response.
Reward Tracking Dashboard
"As an HR lead, I want to view redemption analytics so that I can assess the effectiveness of incentive programs and adjust offerings accordingly."
Description

Provide administrators and HR leads with a dashboard showing redemption metrics such as total points redeemed, popular rewards, pending and completed redemptions, and average time-to-fulfillment. Data should be filterable by team, time range, and reward type. Visual charts and exportable reports enable analytics-driven decisions to optimize the catalog and incentive programs. This feature supports program transparency and helps stakeholders evaluate ROI and user engagement trends.

Acceptance Criteria
Administrator views overall redemption metrics for a specific time range
Given the admin selects a valid time range, When the dashboard loads, Then total points redeemed, popular rewards, pending and completed redemptions, and average time-to-fulfillment are displayed accurately for that period.
Filtering redemption data by team
Given the admin chooses one or more teams in the team filter, When filters are applied, Then the dashboard updates charts and metrics to show data only for the selected teams.
Exporting dashboard data as a report
Given the admin selects CSV or PDF format and clicks the Export button, When the export process completes, Then a file is downloaded containing all current dashboard data matching applied filters and visualizations.
Verification of average time-to-fulfillment calculation
Given completed redemption records with redemption and fulfillment timestamps exist, When the dashboard calculates average time-to-fulfillment, Then the displayed average equals the mean difference between redemption and fulfillment times across all completed records.
Displaying pending and completed redemption breakdown
Given the dashboard loads the latest data, When the admin views the redemption status chart, Then the chart accurately shows counts of pending and completed redemptions based on current data.

Peer Shoutout

Enables team members to send instant, public acknowledgments during challenges—tagging colleagues with personalized cheers—to strengthen social bonds, recognize contributions, and cultivate a supportive remote culture.

Requirements

Shoutout Creation Interface
"As a team member, I want an easy-to-use interface to craft and send shoutouts so that I can quickly recognize and appreciate my colleagues."
Description

Provide a clear, intuitive interface allowing users to compose, personalize, and send peer shoutouts with mentions, emojis, and custom messages. This component should seamlessly integrate within PulseBoard’s main dashboard, supporting text input, colleague tagging via autocomplete, and real-time preview. The goal is to make acknowledging contributions effortless, fostering a culture of recognition and boosting engagement instantly.

Acceptance Criteria
Open Shoutout Interface
Given a user is on the main dashboard When they click the 'Send Shoutout' button Then the Shoutout Creation Interface modal appears within 1 second
Tag a Colleague
Given the Shoutout interface is open When the user types '@' and at least two characters Then a dropdown of matching colleague names appears sorted alphabetically and the user can insert a selected name as a clickable mention
Insert Emojis into Shoutout
Given the Shoutout interface is open When the user clicks the emoji icon Then an emoji picker is displayed and selecting an emoji inserts it at the current cursor position in the message
Preview Shoutout Content
When the user enters text tags and emojis in the input Then the real-time preview area updates immediately to reflect the exact formatting and content
Submit Shoutout
Given the user has entered at least one character of text When they click the 'Send' button Then the shoutout is posted to the team feed within 2 seconds and the interface closes
Prevent Empty Submission
If the message input is empty Then the 'Send' button remains disabled and an inline validation error appears indicating a message is required
Personalized Message Templates
"As a busy team member, I want ready-made recognition templates so that I can quickly send meaningful shoutouts without drafting every message from scratch."
Description

Offer a collection of pre-defined, customizable shoutout templates catering to various occasions—milestones, teamwork, achievements, encouragement. Users can select, modify, and save templates to streamline recognition and ensure consistency in tone and branding. The feature enhances uptake by reducing composing effort and promoting regular peer acknowledgments.

Acceptance Criteria
Template Library Access
Given the user opens the shoutout composer When they click the "Templates" button Then a library panel displays within 2 seconds showing at least 5 occasion categories and 3 templates per category
Template Selection and Preview
Given the template library is open When the user clicks on a template Then the template text populates the message composer and the preview pane shows the final formatted shoutout with placeholder highlights
Template Customization and Saving
Given a template is loaded into the composer When the user edits the text and clicks "Save as New Template" Then a modal prompts for a template name And after entering a valid name and clicking "Save" The new template appears under "Custom Templates" and persists after page reload
New Template Creation from Scratch
Given the user clicks "Create New Template" When they enter message text, select occasion tags, and click "Save" Then the new template is saved under "Custom Templates" with the correct name and tags and is available for selection
Template Deletion and Restoration
Given a custom template is listed When the user clicks the delete icon and confirms deletion Then the template is removed from the list And when the user toggles "Show Deleted Templates" The recently deleted templates appear with an option to restore And restoring returns the template to the custom list
Shoutout Feed and Filters
"As an HR lead, I want a searchable, filterable feed of all shoutouts so that I can identify active contributors and trending recognition patterns."
Description

Implement a public feed displaying all peer shoutouts in real time, with options to filter by sender, recipient, date range, or team. The feed should support infinite scroll, keyword search, and tagging functions, enabling users and managers to explore recognition trends and celebrate achievements at a glance.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Feed Display
Given a user is on the Shoutout Feed page When a new shoutout is posted by any team member Then the shoutout appears at the top of the feed within 5 seconds without requiring a page refresh
Filter by Sender
Given a user opens the feed filter and selects a specific sender When the filter is applied Then the feed displays only shoutouts sent by the selected sender
Filter by Recipient
Given a user opens the feed filter and selects a specific recipient When the filter is applied Then the feed displays only shoutouts directed to the selected recipient
Filter by Date Range
Given a user specifies a start and end date in the date range filter When the filter is applied Then the feed shows only shoutouts created within the specified date range
Infinite Scroll Loading
Given a user scrolls to the bottom of the currently loaded feed When the end of the loaded shoutouts is reached Then the next batch of shoutouts is automatically loaded and appended to the feed
Keyword Search
Given a user enters a keyword into the search bar When the search is executed Then the feed displays only shoutouts containing the keyword in the message or tags
Real-time Notifications
"As a recipient, I want to receive an immediate notification when I get a shoutout so that I can feel recognized and motivated right away."
Description

Enable instant notifications—via in-app alerts, email, and optional Slack integration—when a shoutout is sent or received. Notifications should be configurable per user preferences, ensuring timely awareness and reinforcing positive feedback loops across remote teams.

Acceptance Criteria
In-App Shoutout Notification
Given a user sends a shoutout, when the recipient is viewing the app, then an in-app alert appears within 2 seconds displaying the sender's name and message.
Email Notification Delivery
Given a user receives a shoutout, when email notifications are enabled, then an email is sent within 30 seconds containing the shoutout content, sender details, and link to the PulseBoard.
Slack Integration Notification
Given a user has linked their Slack account and enabled shoutout notifications, when a shoutout is sent, then a Slack message is posted to the configured channel with the shoutout details within 1 minute.
User Notification Preferences
Given a user accesses notification settings, when they toggle on/off in-app, email, or Slack notifications, then their preferences are saved and applied immediately to subsequent shoutouts.
High Volume Notification Processing
Given multiple shoutouts are sent concurrently, when the system processes up to 100 notifications per second, then 99% of notifications are delivered within SLA timeframes without loss or duplication.
Analytics and Reporting Integration
"As a manager, I want analytics on peer shoutouts so that I can measure team morale and take action to improve engagement."
Description

Aggregate shoutout data into PulseBoard’s existing analytics dashboard, offering metrics such as shoutouts per user, frequency over time, and team heatmaps. Include exportable reports and trend visualizations to help managers track recognition levels, identify disengagement risks, and inform well-being initiatives.

Acceptance Criteria
Dashboard Shoutout Metrics Display
Given a manager is viewing the analytics dashboard, when the dashboard loads, then shoutout metrics per user (total shoutouts, monthly average, and ranking) must be displayed accurately and update in real time upon new shoutouts.
Shoutout Data Export Functionality
Given a manager selects the export button on the shoutout analytics dashboard, when the export is triggered, then a CSV or PDF file containing user IDs, shoutout counts, timestamps, and message excerpts must be generated and downloaded within five seconds.
Temporal Trend Visualization
Given a manager views trend charts, when selecting a time range, then the shoutout frequency line graph must update to reflect daily, weekly, or monthly totals with correctly labeled axes and interactive tooltips showing exact values.
Team Heatmap Generation
Given a manager applies a team filter on the dashboard, when the heatmap view is enabled, then the heatmap must display color-coded shoutout densities for each team segment with a legend, updating instantly upon filter changes.
Data Filtering and Granularity
Given a manager adjusts filter options on the analytics dashboard, when filtering by date range, team, or shoutout type, then only matching shoutout records must be displayed and any exported data must reflect these filtering criteria.

Prompt Palette

Delivers a curated set of three-word journal prompts each day, tailored to users’ recent mood check-ins and interests. By offering focused inspiration, it reduces writer’s block, encourages meaningful self-reflection, and keeps entries engaging with minimal effort.

Requirements

Prompt Generation Engine
"As a remote worker, I want daily three-word journal prompts so that I can overcome writer’s block and reflect quickly on my day."
Description

Implements an algorithmic service that generates a curated set of three-word journal prompts each day, tailored to users’ recent mood check-ins and interests. The engine integrates with the mood tracking and user profile modules, applies natural language processing to a prompt database, and outputs a set of three-word prompts optimized for relevance and engagement. Expected outcomes include reduced writer’s block, increased daily journaling consistency, and enhanced user reflection experiences.

Acceptance Criteria
Morning Prompt Generation
Given a user has completed their daily mood check-in and the system time is 08:00 UTC, when the prompt generation job runs, then exactly three three-word prompts tailored to the user’s recent mood and interests are generated and delivered to the user’s dashboard by 08:01 UTC.
Contextual Prompt Relevance
Given the user’s last three mood check-ins and interests profile, when generating prompts, then each prompt must include keywords reflecting at least two of the user’s recent mood states or listed interests and achieve a relevance score of 0.8 or higher.
Prompt Length Validation
When prompts are generated, then each prompt must consist of exactly three words separated by single spaces, contain no punctuation or line breaks, and not exceed 50 characters in total.
Integration with Mood Data
Given the mood tracking API is available, when the engine fetches the user’s latest mood data, then it must retrieve the data within 5 seconds, include it in the prompt generation process, and log any API errors for monitoring.
Scalability and Performance
When handling up to 1,000 concurrent prompt generation requests, then at least 99% of requests must complete within 500 milliseconds and the overall error rate must remain below 1%.
Mood Integration Mapping
"As a user tracking my mood, I want journal prompts tailored to my current mood so that the prompts feel personally relevant and supportive."
Description

Develops a mechanism to analyze users’ most recent mood check-ins and map mood states to relevant prompt themes. This requires defining mood-to-theme mappings, leveraging sentiment analysis, and updating the prompt selection logic to prioritize prompts that resonate with the user’s emotional context. The result is higher relevance and user engagement.

Acceptance Criteria
Positive Mood Prompt Selection
Given the user’s most recent mood check-in indicates positive sentiment, when the daily prompt palette is generated, then the system selects at least three prompts mapped to positive-themed topics and includes at least one prompt matching the user’s recorded interests.
Negative Mood Prompt Selection
Given the user’s recent mood check-in indicates negative sentiment, when generating the daily prompt palette, then the system selects at least two prompts mapped to coping or self-care themes and prioritizes them over other themes.
Neutral Mood Prompt Selection
Given the user’s recent mood check-in indicates neutral sentiment, when generating the daily prompt palette, then the system selects an equal distribution of prompts from reflective, curiosity, and growth-themed mappings.
Fallback Prompt Selection
Given no valid mood check-in exists or sentiment analysis fails, when generating prompts, then the system defaults to three high-engagement prompts based solely on the user’s top interest categories.
Dynamic Prompt Mapping Update
Given the user updates their mood check-in before viewing prompts, when regenerating the prompt palette, then the system refreshes the prompts to reflect the latest mood-to-theme mapping without requiring a full page reload.
Interest-Based Personalization
"As a user with specific interests, I want the prompts to reflect my hobbies so that I feel more motivated to write."
Description

Incorporates users’ selected interests into the prompt selection process by tagging prompts with interest topics and matching them to user profiles. This personalization layer ensures prompts align with individual hobbies and preferences, boosting motivation to journal and overall satisfaction.

Acceptance Criteria
Interest Selection during Onboarding
Given a new user completes onboarding and selects at least three interests, When the user profile is saved, Then each selected interest is stored in the user’s profile and visible on their settings page.
Prompt Tagging Validation
Given the prompt database contains new journal prompts, When a prompt is tagged with one or more interest topics by an admin, Then each tag is correctly associated with the prompt in the database and retrievable via the interest topic filter.
Daily Prompt Delivery Personalization
Given it is the user’s scheduled journal time, When the system generates daily prompts, Then at least one of the three prompts delivered matches one of the user’s selected interests.
Interest Update Reflection
Given a user updates their list of interests in settings, When the next daily prompts are generated, Then the delivered prompts reflect the updated interests and no longer include tags the user removed.
Fallback Prompt Delivery
Given a user has fewer than three prompts matching their interests, When daily prompts are generated, Then the remaining slots are filled with non-personalized prompts ensuring a total of three prompts.
Daily Prompt Scheduling
"As a busy team member, I want to receive my daily prompt at a time I typically journal so that I can maintain a consistent reflection habit."
Description

Sets up a scheduling system that delivers the daily prompt at the optimal time based on user behavior patterns and preferences. Includes configurable delivery windows, push notifications, and email reminders. Ensures consistent user engagement without causing notification fatigue.

Acceptance Criteria
Configurable Delivery Window
Given a user accesses the prompt scheduling settings and sets a start and end time, When the user saves their preferences, Then all daily prompts are delivered within that window on subsequent days.
Behavior-Based Optimal Timing
Given the system has tracked a user's prompt engagement over the past 7 days, When identifying peak engagement times, Then the next prompt is scheduled at the user's highest interaction hour.
Push Notification Delivery
Given a user has enabled push notifications, When the scheduled prompt time arrives, Then the system sends a push notification that appears on the user's device within 5 seconds.
Email Reminder Fallback
Given push notifications are disabled or undelivered, When the scheduled prompt time arrives, Then an email reminder is sent to the user's registered email within 2 minutes.
Notification Fatigue Prevention
Given a user would receive multiple prompt notifications due to schedule overlaps, When daily notifications exceed one per day, Then the system consolidates them into a single prompt sent at the optimal time within the configured window.
Prompt Display Interface
"As a user, I want an intuitive interface to view and manage journal prompts so that I can engage with the journaling feature effortlessly."
Description

Designs and implements a user-friendly interface for displaying daily prompts within the PulseBoard app. Features include clear typography, regeneration and bookmarking controls, and contextual tooltips. Interface must be responsive across devices and ensure seamless integration with existing UI components.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Daily Prompt on Dashboard
Given a logged-in user When they navigate to the Prompt Palette screen Then the daily three-word prompt is displayed in a clear, legible font (16–20px), with a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1, centered and without truncation.
Prompt Regeneration Control Interaction
Given the user views today’s prompt When they click the “Regenerate” button Then a new prompt is fetched and displayed within 2 seconds, the button shows a loading indicator, and the previous prompt is replaced.
Prompt Bookmarking Workflow
Given the user is viewing a prompt When they tap the bookmark icon Then the prompt is added to their bookmarks list, the icon toggles to a filled state, and a confirmation toast appears within 1 second.
Contextual Tooltip Visibility
Given the user hovers over or taps the info icon next to a prompt word When the tooltip appears Then it displays a concise explanation (max 100 characters), is positioned without obscuring the prompt, and dismisses on click outside.
Responsive Layout Across Devices
Given the user opens the prompt interface on any device When the viewport width changes Then for widths <600px layout switches to a single column, for 600–1024px to two columns, and for >1024px maintains desktop layout, with all controls accessible.
User Feedback Capture
"As a user, I want to rate prompts so that the system learns my preferences and improves over time."
Description

Implements functionality to capture user feedback on each prompt, including ratings (e.g., thumbs up/down) and optional comments. Stores feedback data in the analytics service and feeds it back into the prompt generation algorithm to refine future recommendations and improve personalization.

Acceptance Criteria
Positive Feedback Submission
Given the user taps the thumbs-up icon on a prompt When the action completes Then the system records a ‘positive’ rating with a timestamp and sends it to the analytics service and displays a confirmation message
Negative Feedback with Comment Submission
Given the user taps the thumbs-down icon When the comment field appears and the user enters text and submits Then the system records a ‘negative’ rating and the comment with timestamps, forwards both to the analytics service, and displays a confirmation message
Feedback Submission Without Comment
Given the user selects either thumbs-up or thumbs-down and does not enter a comment When the user submits feedback Then the system accepts the rating only, stores it with timestamp in the analytics service without error, and confirms submission
Algorithm Feedback Loop Integration
Given new feedback is stored in analytics When the prompt generation algorithm runs its next cycle Then it retrieves the latest feedback data and adjusts prompt recommendations based on aggregated positive and negative ratings within one hour
Analytics Service Failure and Retry
Given a network or service error occurs when sending feedback When the initial attempt fails Then the system retries up to three times, logs the failure, and if still unsuccessful notifies the user to retry later

Tag Trio

Automatically suggests three relevant tags based on keywords in the user’s daily micro-journal. These tags organize entries by theme—such as stress, gratitude, or achievement—making it easy to filter, search, and identify patterns over time.

Requirements

Tag Suggestion Algorithm
"As a remote team member, I want automatic tag suggestions for my micro-journal entries so that I can quickly categorize my thoughts without manual effort."
Description

Implement an automated algorithm that analyzes the text of daily micro-journal entries to identify three contextually relevant tags. The system must process user input in real time, detect key themes or sentiments such as stress, gratitude, or achievement, and then present the top three tags that best summarize the entry’s content. Integration with the existing journal interface should be seamless, triggering suggestions as soon as the user finishes typing. Expected outcomes include increased organization of entries, improved searchability, and enhanced user engagement through personalized theme recognition.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Tag Suggestion After Entry Submission
Given a user completes typing a micro-journal entry and clicks “Save,” when the entry is submitted, then the system must display exactly three tag suggestions within 1 second that reflect the entry’s primary themes.
Contextual Accuracy in Emotion-Based Tagging
Given an entry contains explicit sentiment keywords like “happy,” “anxious,” or “proud,” when the algorithm processes the text, then it must include at least one tag representing each detected sentiment category among the three suggestions with 90% accuracy over a test set of 100 entries.
System Response to Low-Content Entries
Given a user submits an entry under 10 words or with neutral tone, when the algorithm analyzes the text, then it should suggest three generic tags (e.g., “reflection,” “note,” “journal”) and indicate low-confidence status for all suggestions.
Seamless Integration with Journal UI
Given the user is typing in the journal interface, when they pause for more than 2 seconds without submitting, then the system should pre-load and update three tag suggestions in the suggestions panel within the UI without causing any input lag.
Custom Tag Override and Persistence
Given the system provides three suggested tags, when the user replaces one or more suggestions with custom tags, then the customized tags must be saved and applied to the entry, and future similar entries (±80% text similarity) should prioritize previously overridden tags.
Keyword Extraction Engine
"As an HR lead, I want the system to accurately extract keywords from journal entries so that theme-based insights reflect true employee sentiments."
Description

Develop a robust keyword extraction engine that leverages natural language processing to parse user entries and pinpoint significant words or phrases. The engine should support tokenization, part-of-speech tagging, and named entity recognition to ensure accurate identification of themes. It must handle variations in user input, including slang or emojis, and provide a high recall rate for relevant keywords. This component will feed into the tag suggestion algorithm and form the foundation for reliable tag generation.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Entry Processing
Given a user submits a micro-journal entry, when the engine processes the entry within 2 seconds, then it returns a list of extracted keywords sorted by relevance
Slang and Emoji Handling
Given entries containing slang terms and emojis, when processed, then the engine correctly identifies at least 90% of intended keywords including those represented by emojis
Entity Recognition Accuracy
Given entries with named entities, when processed, then the engine correctly tags at least 95% of entities with the proper category
High Recall Across Themes
Given a diverse set of journal entries spanning stress, gratitude, and achievement themes, when processing 100 entries, then the engine achieves a recall rate of at least 85% for relevant keywords in each theme
POS Tagging Precision
Given entries with multi-word phrases, when processed, then the engine assigns correct part-of-speech tags to at least 90% of tokens
Tag Relevance Scoring
"As a team manager, I want tags to be ranked by relevance so that the most meaningful themes in my team’s journals are highlighted first."
Description

Create a scoring mechanism that ranks suggested tags by relevance based on factors such as keyword frequency, sentiment polarity, and contextual significance. The score should dynamically adjust as the entry evolves, ensuring that the most pertinent tags surface to the top. This scoring model will be transparent to developers through tunable parameters and maintainable code, allowing future refinement based on user feedback or changing organizational needs.

Acceptance Criteria
Dynamic Tag Ranking Adjustment
Given a completed journal entry containing relevant keywords, When the scoring engine runs, Then tags are ranked by combined relevance score (keyword frequency, contextual significance), and the top three appear in descending order.
Real-Time Score Update on Entry Modification
Given an existing entry with initial tag suggestions, When the user adds or removes keywords, Then the tag scores recalculate within 500ms and reorder, ensuring the most relevant tags remain in the top three.
Sentiment Polarity Impact on Tag Relevance
Given a sentiment analysis result for the journal entry, When computing tag relevance, Then tags aligned with the detected sentiment adjust their scores by the configured sentiment weight, surfacing sentiment-relevant tags higher.
Configurable Scoring Parameter Overrides
Given updated scoring parameters in the configuration file, When the application restarts, Then the scoring algorithm applies the new parameters without code changes, reflected in updated tag rankings.
Scoring Transparency for Developers
Given the tag relevance scoring codebase, When reviewed by a developer, Then all tunable parameters are centralized in a configuration module with inline documentation explaining each parameter’s impact.
User Feedback Loop
"As a user, I want to correct or approve suggested tags so that the system learns my personal themes and improves future suggestions."
Description

Integrate a feedback mechanism enabling users to confirm, reject, or replace suggested tags. The interface should allow quick interactions—tapping a thumbs-up to accept or tapping a tag to edit or remove it. Feedback data must be recorded to retrain the suggestion algorithm over time, improving accuracy and personalization. This loop ensures that tag recommendations evolve and align more closely with individual user preferences.

Acceptance Criteria
Accept Suggested Tag
Given a micro-journal entry is displayed with suggested tags; When the user taps the thumbs-up icon on a suggested tag; Then the tag is applied to the entry and highlighted as confirmed in the UI.
Reject Suggested Tag
Given a micro-journal entry is displayed with suggested tags; When the user taps the remove icon on a suggested tag; Then the tag is removed from the entry and logged as rejected in the feedback data.
Replace Suggested Tag
Given a micro-journal entry with suggested tags; When the user taps on a tag name to edit and selects or types a new tag; Then the new tag replaces the suggested one and the replacement action is recorded.
Record Feedback for Algorithm Retraining
Given the user has accepted, rejected, or replaced tags; When the interaction completes; Then all feedback actions are saved in the feedback database with user ID, entry ID, and timestamp within 2 seconds of the action.
Bulk Feedback Interaction
Given multiple suggested tags across several journal entries; When the user uses a bulk-action mode to accept or reject tags in one session; Then each individual tag action is processed, recorded, and reflected correctly on its corresponding entry.
Tag Management Interface
"As an HR analyst, I want a centralized interface to manage and customize tags so that I can maintain a clean, relevant set of themes for reporting."
Description

Design and implement a dedicated interface for managing tags across the application. Users should be able to view all generated tags, merge duplicates, create custom tags, and delete irrelevant ones. This interface must offer filtering, sorting, and search capabilities, helping users maintain an organized tag taxonomy. It should integrate with dashboards and reporting tools, enabling managers and HR leads to filter entries by theme for deeper trend analysis.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing All Generated Tags
Given the user navigates to the Tag Management Interface, when the page loads, then all generated tags are displayed in a paginated list sorted alphabetically by name.
Searching for a Specific Tag
Given the user enters a search term in the tag search bar, when they submit the search, then only tags matching the term (partial or full) are displayed in real-time.
Merging Duplicate Tags
Given the user selects two or more tags marked as duplicates, when they click the merge action and confirm, then entries associated with the merged tags are consolidated under the new tag and duplicates are removed.
Creating a Custom Tag
Given the user clicks the create tag button, when they provide a unique tag name and optional color, then the new tag is saved, appears in the list, and is available for assignment to entries.
Deleting an Irrelevant Tag
Given the user selects a tag and initiates deletion, when they confirm the deletion prompt, then the tag is removed from the list and disassociated from all entries without affecting entry content.

Spark Summary

Generates a concise weekly overview of journal highlights, extracting key phrases and mood shifts from the daily three-word entries. Users gain clear insights into emotional trends without re-reading every entry, empowering proactive well-being decisions.

Requirements

Key Phrase Extraction
"As a remote team manager, I want the Spark Summary to extract key phrases from my team's daily entries so that I can quickly understand the main themes of their week."
Description

The system must automatically scan daily three-word journal entries to identify and extract the most relevant and recurring phrases. By applying NLP techniques such as phrase frequency analysis and semantic significance scoring, it surfaces key expressions that represent highlights of the week. These phrases are then aggregated to give users quick insights into the most impactful moments without reading every entry.

Acceptance Criteria
Weekly Key Phrase Extraction
Given a user has submitted daily three-word journal entries for a full week, when the system runs the key phrase extraction process, then it identifies and returns the top five most frequent phrases ranked by semantic significance.
Semantic Relevance Filtering
Given the extracted candidate phrases, when scored for semantic significance, then only phrases with a significance score of 0.7 or higher are included in the final list.
Phrase Frequency Counting
Given recurring phrases across multiple entries, when the system counts occurrences, then the reported frequency for each phrase matches the actual count within a 2% tolerance.
Synonym and Stemming Normalization
Given journal entries containing synonyms or different forms of the same word, when normalization is applied, then semantically equivalent phrases are grouped and reported as a single key phrase.
Dashboard Aggregation Display
Given the aggregated list of key phrases, when displayed in the weekly overview dashboard, then each phrase shows its text, frequency count, and semantic significance score in a clear, ordered list.
Mood Shift Detection
"As an HR lead, I want the system to detect mood shifts in weekly journal entries so that I can respond proactively to changes in team sentiment."
Description

The feature analyzes changes in mood across daily entries by tracking sentiment scores and detecting upward or downward trends. It flags significant deviations from baseline mood levels to highlight potential issues or improvements. This enables managers to pinpoint days of concern and celebrate positive shifts in team morale.

Acceptance Criteria
Weekly Mood Trend Identification
Given a team member has recorded daily three-word mood entries for the past week with sentiment scores; When the Spark Summary is generated; Then the system highlights upward or downward weekly mood trends if the difference between the start and end of the week exceeds the configured threshold.
Significant Daily Mood Deviation Alert
Given a baseline average sentiment score for a user over the previous four weeks; When a daily entry deviates by ±1.5 standard deviations from the baseline; Then the system flags that day as a significant mood deviation and includes it in the summary.
Positive Mood Improvement Recognition
Given a team member's average sentiment score improved by at least 10% compared to the previous week; When generating the Spark Summary; Then a positive mood shift indicator is displayed and included in the key highlights.
Negative Mood Decline Notification
Given a team member's average sentiment score declined by at least 10% compared to the previous week; When generating the Spark Summary; Then a negative mood shift indicator is displayed and included in the key highlights.
Threshold Configuration Verification
Given an admin adjusts the mood shift threshold to a new value; When the threshold is saved; Then subsequent Spark Summaries use the updated threshold for detecting mood shifts.
Weekly Summary Generation
"As a team manager, I want a concise weekly overview of journal highlights and mood trends so that I can review team well-being at a glance."
Description

The system compiles extracted key phrases and mood trends into a concise weekly overview report. It organizes insights into sections like 'Top Themes', 'Mood Overview', and 'Actionable Alerts' to present a clear and structured summary. The generated report is viewable within the dashboard and updates in real-time at the end of each week.

Acceptance Criteria
Weekly Summary Generation Trigger
Given the system clock reaches Sunday 23:59 UTC and at least one mood entry exists for the week, when the weekly summary process initiates, then the system generates a summary report within 2 minutes without errors.
Section Population Accuracy
When reviewing the generated weekly overview report, then the 'Top Themes' section lists the top three most frequent key phrases with at least 90% relevance, the 'Mood Overview' graph displays daily average mood scores correctly, and 'Actionable Alerts' lists any mood drop of more than 20% from the previous week.
Dashboard Real-Time Display
Given a summary report completes generation, when a manager refreshes the team dashboard, then the new weekly summary appears immediately in the 'Weekly Summary' widget with no more than 5 seconds of latency.
Error Handling and Notifications
If the summary generation process fails, then the system logs the error with details, retries up to two times, and notifies the admin via email within 1 minute of the final failure.
Data Integrity Verification
Given the report is generated, when comparing the 'Mood Overview' section with raw daily entries, then the average mood values match within a 0.1 margin and key phrase extractions align with 95% of top keywords detected via manual review.
Summary Export Functionality
"As an HR lead, I want to export weekly summaries so that I can share them in meetings and maintain records."
Description

Users can export the weekly Spark Summary report in PDF and CSV formats for offline review and sharing. The export includes key phrases, mood charts, and action items to facilitate distribution in team meetings or stakeholder presentations. Export settings allow customization of included sections based on user preference.

Acceptance Criteria
Export Weekly Spark Summary as PDF
Given the user is viewing the weekly Spark Summary report page and clicks 'Export' then selects 'PDF', When the export is initiated, Then a PDF file is generated containing key phrases, mood charts, and action items for the selected week with correct formatting and a filename including the date range, and the download begins automatically.
Generate Customized CSV Export
Given the user opens the export dialog and selects 'CSV' format and checks desired sections (key phrases, mood chart data, action items), When the export is confirmed, Then the downloaded CSV file includes only the selected sections with proper headers and values, and opens successfully in spreadsheet applications.
Default Export Settings for Report Download
Given the user has not modified export preferences, When they perform an export in either PDF or CSV, Then the report downloads with all sections (key phrases, mood charts, action items) in default order, and the filename follows 'SparkSummary_<StartDate>_to_<EndDate>.<ext>'.
Save Export Preferences for Future Use
Given the user configures export format and section selections and clicks 'Save Preferences', When they initiate any subsequent export, Then the system applies the saved preferences automatically without requiring reconfiguration.
Performance of Export Under Maximum Data Load
Given a team with over 100 journal entries in the week, When the user triggers an export in PDF or CSV, Then the report is generated and downloaded within 10 seconds, and the resulting file size is under 10MB with all data accurately included.
Summary Notification Delivery
"As a remote team manager, I want to receive notifications when my weekly summary is available so that I never miss important insights."
Description

The feature sends automated notifications to users when the weekly Spark Summary is ready. Notifications can be delivered via email or in-app alerts, containing a brief overview and a link to the full report. Users can configure notification preferences such as timing and channels to ensure timely awareness.

Acceptance Criteria
Email Notification with Link Access
Given a weekly Spark Summary has been generated When the user has enabled email notifications Then the system sends an email within 5 minutes containing a brief overview of highlights and a direct link to the full report
In-App Alert Delivery
Given the user is logged into PulseBoard after Spark Summary generation When the in-app notification window is active Then the system displays an alert with the summary overview and a link to view details
User Preference Configuration
Given the user accesses notification settings When the user updates timing and channel preferences for Spark Summary delivery Then the system saves the new preferences and uses them for subsequent weekly notifications
Notification Timing Respect
Given the user sets a preferred delivery time When the weekly summary is ready Then the system queues the notification and delivers it at the configured time on each selected channel
Channel Selection Enforcement
Given the user selects email and in-app as notification channels When the summary is delivered Then the system sends notifications only through email and in-app, and no other channels

Trend Tracker

Visualizes journaling data on an interactive timeline, mapping frequency of positive, neutral, and negative entries. Users see at a glance how their emotional language evolves, helping them correlate life events with well-being and adjust self-care routines accordingly.

Requirements

Interactive Timeline Display
"As a user, I want to view my journal entries on an interactive timeline so that I can easily see my mood trends and patterns over time."
Description

Develop a dynamic, scrollable timeline component that plots journal entries over time, color-coded by sentiment (positive, neutral, negative). The timeline should support zoom levels (daily, weekly, monthly), tooltips for detailed entry previews, and seamless integration into the PulseBoard dashboard interface. This feature will enable users to visually track mood fluctuations at a glance and gain immediate insights into their emotional journey.

Acceptance Criteria
Sentiment Color-Coding Display
Given the user views the interactive timeline, When journal entries are plotted, Then each entry must appear in the correct color (green for positive, gray for neutral, red for negative) matching its sentiment tag.
Zoom Level Adjustment
Given the user selects a zoom level option, When the user switches between daily, weekly, and monthly views, Then the timeline must rescale and display entries correctly aggregated by the chosen granularity within 500ms.
Entry Detail Tooltip
Given the user hovers over or taps on a timeline data point, When the tooltip triggers, Then it must display the entry date, sentiment label, and first 100 characters of the journal text, and disappear when the cursor moves away.
Dashboard Integration
Given the user navigates to the PulseBoard dashboard, When the interactive timeline is loaded, Then it must render seamlessly alongside other dashboard widgets, respecting the layout grid and matching the dashboard’s style guide.
Scroll Performance and Responsiveness
Given the timeline contains more than 200 entries, When the user scrolls through the timeline, Then scrolling must remain smooth without frame drops and complete within 16ms per frame on standard devices.
Sentiment Data Aggregation
"As a user, I want my journal entries automatically categorized into positive, neutral, and negative sentiments so that I can quickly understand overall emotional patterns."
Description

Implement backend services and front-end logic to categorize each journal entry into positive, neutral, or negative sentiment using NLP analysis. Aggregate sentiment counts into configurable time buckets and feed this data into the timeline visualization. Ensure processing performance can handle high entry volumes and updating in near real-time.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Entry Processing Scenario
Given a user submits a new journal entry When the entry is sent to the backend for sentiment analysis Then the entry is classified as positive, neutral, or negative and the timeline visualization updates within 5 seconds reflecting the new sentiment count in the current time bucket
Batch Historical Data Aggregation Scenario
Given an import of 1,000 historical journal entries in a single batch When the batch is processed by the sentiment aggregation service Then all entries are categorized and assigned to the correct time buckets with 100% of entries accounted for and no errors in bucket counts
Time Bucket Configuration Scenario
Given a user changes the aggregation window from daily to weekly buckets When the system re-aggregates existing sentiment data Then the timeline displays sentiment counts grouped correctly by week and the bucket boundaries align with the user’s selected start-of-week setting
High-Volume Load Handling Scenario
Given 10,000 journal entries are submitted concurrently over one minute When the sentiment aggregation pipeline processes the entries Then the system processes at least 500 entries per second, no entries are dropped, and average processing latency remains below 200ms per entry
Front-End Visualization Data Feed Scenario
Given the timeline visualization component requests sentiment aggregation data When the backend service responds Then the response payload includes an array of time buckets with corresponding positive, neutral, and negative counts matching the backend’s computed values
Customizable Filters & Date Range
"As a user, I want to filter my timeline by date range and sentiment type so that I can focus on specific periods or moods."
Description

Provide filter controls allowing users to select specific sentiment types (e.g., only negative entries), date ranges, and keyword tags. Filters should dynamically update the timeline visualization and sentiment counts without requiring a full page reload. This will help users focus on particular periods or moods for deeper reflection.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter by Sentiment Type
Given the user has a timeline with mixed sentiment entries When the user selects the 'Negative' sentiment filter Then only entries tagged as 'Negative' are displayed and sentiment counts update to reflect only negative entries
Filter by Date Range Selection
Given the user views the timeline When the user sets a start and end date via the date range picker Then the timeline displays entries only within the selected dates and the sentiment counts reflect that period
Filter by Keyword Tag
Given the user has tagged entries with keywords When the user selects one or more keyword tags in the filter menu Then only entries containing the selected tags appear in the timeline and sentiment counts update accordingly
Combined Filters Application
Given the user has applied sentiment, date range, and keyword filters When the user applies multiple filters simultaneously Then the timeline shows entries that satisfy all selected filters and sentiment counts reflect the combined filter results
Dynamic Timeline Update
Given the user applies any filter When the filter selection changes Then the timeline visualization and sentiment counters update immediately without a full page reload
Event Correlation & Annotation
"As a user, I want to annotate life events on the timeline so that I can correlate mood shifts with personal experiences."
Description

Allow users to add custom annotations or markers on the timeline to denote significant life events (e.g., job change, vacations). Annotations should be saved per user, displayed in context on the timeline, and linkable back to detailed notes. This feature will enable users to correlate mood shifts with real-world events for better self-awareness.

Acceptance Criteria
Annotation Creation Scenario
Given a user is viewing the trend tracker timeline, When they click the “Add Annotation” button and enter an event title, date, and optional detailed note, And they click “Save,” Then a marker appears on the timeline at the specified date and the annotation is saved to the user’s profile.
Annotation Persistence Scenario
Given a user has previously saved one or more annotations, When they reload the trend tracker page or log out and log back in, Then all annotations appear in their correct positions on the timeline without requiring any additional user action.
Annotation Detail Linking Scenario
Given a user views the timeline with event markers, When they click a marker, Then a pop-up or side panel displays the event title, date, and detailed note linked back to the annotation entry.
Annotation Editing Scenario
Given a user has an existing annotation on the timeline, When they click the annotation’s edit option, update the event details, and click “Save,” Then the timeline marker reflects the updated details and the changes persist after a page refresh.
Annotation Deletion Scenario
Given a user has an existing annotation on the timeline, When they click the annotation’s delete option and confirm the deletion, Then the event marker is removed from the timeline and the annotation is no longer retrievable.
Export & Reporting
"As a user, I want to export my mood trend data and timeline as reports so that I can share insights with my coach or HR."
Description

Implement functionality to export timeline data and sentiment summaries in CSV and PDF formats. The export should include time-series data points, sentiment breakdowns, and any user annotations. This will allow users to share their emotional trend reports with coaches, HR leads, or for personal record-keeping.

Acceptance Criteria
CSV Data Export
Given the user selects the CSV export option and a valid date range When the user initiates the export Then a CSV file is generated within 5 seconds containing time-series data points with correct timestamps, sentiment labels, and summary columns and is automatically downloaded
PDF Report Generation
Given the user selects the PDF export option When the user initiates the export Then a PDF report is generated within 10 seconds containing interactive timeline charts, sentiment breakdown tables, and user annotations and prompts the user to download
Sentiment Breakdown Inclusion
Given an export request is processed When the system compiles sentiment data Then the export includes both counts and percentages for positive, neutral, and negative entries for the specified period
Annotation Preservation
Given the user has added annotations to journal entries When exporting in CSV or PDF format Then all annotations appear in a dedicated column (CSV) or footnotes section (PDF) matching their associated entries
Export Performance and Reliability
Given multiple users request exports simultaneously When up to five concurrent export operations occur Then all exports complete successfully without errors within defined time thresholds and log entries for each successful export

Reflection Reminder

Sends smart nudges at optimal times—based on individual usage habits and calendar availability—to gently remind users to complete their three-word journals. This maintains streaks, fosters consistency, and integrates self-reflection into the daily routine without feeling intrusive.

Requirements

Adaptive Reminder Scheduling
"As a remote team member, I want the app to send reflection reminders at times I’m usually free so that I can maintain my journaling streak without getting distracted during meetings."
Description

Implement an algorithm that analyzes each user’s historical check-in patterns and calendar availability to determine the optimal time to send reflection reminders. The system should factor in user-defined working hours, meeting schedules from integrated calendars, and past engagement times to maximize response rates without causing interruptions. This feature enhances user experience by delivering prompts when users are most receptive, ensuring consistent journaling habits.

Acceptance Criteria
Morning Optimal Reminder for Early Birds
Given the user’s working hours are set from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and the integrated calendar shows the next free slot at 9:00 AM, and the user’s historical check-in pattern is between 8:45 AM and 9:15 AM, when the current day starts, then the system schedules the reflection reminder at 9:00 AM local time.
Midday Reflective Prompt Post-Lunch
Given the user typically takes lunch between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM and historical engagement peaks occur between 1:15 PM and 1:45 PM, and the calendar is free at 1:30 PM, when the user’s lunch break ends, then the system sends the reflection reminder at 1:30 PM local time.
Avoidance During Back-to-Back Meetings
Given the user has consecutive meetings scheduled with no free slots for at least 2 hours, when a reminder would normally be sent, then the system delays the notification until the next available 15-minute free slot within the defined working hours.
Respecting Non-Working Hours and Weekends
Given the user’s defined working hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, when the current time falls outside these hours or on a weekend, then the system does not send any reflection reminders until the next valid working period.
Custom Timezone-Aware Scheduling
Given the user travels and changes time zones, when the user’s device timezone changes, then the system recalculates the optimal reminder time based on updated local hours and historical check-in data to ensure reminders are sent at appropriate local times.
Calendar Integration
"As a user, I want my work calendar integrated with PulseBoard so that reminders never interrupt my meetings."
Description

Enable seamless connection with major calendar providers (e.g., Google Calendar, Outlook) to fetch users’ availability and avoid sending reflection reminders during busy periods. The integration should be secure, comply with OAuth standards, and update availability in real time. This ensures reminders align with actual schedules, reducing the risk of prompting during meetings or off-hours.

Acceptance Criteria
OAuth Authentication for Calendar Integration
Given a user initiates calendar connection, When the OAuth flow completes successfully, Then the system stores a valid access token and displays a confirmation message.
Real-Time Availability Fetch
Given a connected calendar, When the system checks availability before sending a reminder, Then it retrieves the user’s current free/busy slots in real time without errors.
Reflection Reminder Scheduling Avoids Busy Periods
Given the user’s availability data, When scheduling reflection reminders, Then reminders are only sent during available time slots and within the user’s predefined working hours.
Handling Calendar Disconnect Scenarios
Given an expired or revoked calendar token, When the system detects the disconnection, Then it halts reminder scheduling and prompts the user to re-authenticate.
Multi-Provider Calendar Support
Given users with Google or Outlook accounts, When they connect their calendar, Then both providers are supported with identical setup flows and availability retrieval.
Usage Pattern Analysis
"As a user, I want the app to learn my journaling habits so that reminders become more relevant and timely over time."
Description

Track and analyze individual user’s interaction times, frequency of check-ins, and response latency to build a personalized profile. The system should use this data to refine reminder timing over time, learning from user behavior to improve nudge effectiveness. This capability fosters sustained engagement by tailoring prompts to each user’s unique habits.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Usage Profiling
- Collect at least 14 days of user interaction data covering check-in times, frequency, and response latency. - Generate a usage profile identifying each user’s peak engagement windows and average response latency. - Store and retrieve usage profiles via the analytics API with 100% data integrity.
Adaptive Reminder Scheduling
- Schedule reminders within the user’s top engagement window identified by usage profile. - Ensure reminders are not sent within 30 minutes before any calendar event. - Adjust reminder schedule weekly based on rolling 7-day usage data.
Frequency Heatmap Generation
- Generate a daily heatmap displaying hourly check-in frequencies. - Update the heatmap automatically at midnight each day. - Display the heatmap in the user dashboard within 5 seconds of request.
User Response Latency Logging
- Log response latency for each reminder (time between reminder delivery and journal submission). - Calculate and store average, median, and 95th percentile latency over 7-day intervals. - Provide latency metrics via API endpoints with responses under 200ms.
Optimal Nudging Adjustment
- Measure response rate for 7 days before and after any reminder schedule change. - Confirm at least a 10% improvement in response rate post-adjustment to validate schedule change. - Revert or re-optimize schedule automatically if response rate drops below 75% of baseline.
Customizable Nudge Content
"As a user, I want to personalize my reminder messages so that they feel more motivating and less generic."
Description

Allow users to choose or craft personalized reminder messages and select tone preferences (e.g., friendly, motivational, neutral). Provide a library of templates and the option to schedule different messages based on the day or week. Customizing content increases user ownership and reduces notification fatigue.

Acceptance Criteria
Selecting a Nudge Template from the Library
Rule: Given the user navigates to the reminder settings and opens the nudge content library, when the user selects a template, then the template's message and default tone are loaded into the preview pane and the "Save" button is enabled.
Crafting a Custom Nudge Message
Rule: Given the user chooses to create a custom message, when the user enters text into the message field and selects a tone preference, then the input is validated for length (max 200 chars) and inappropriate content, a live preview reflects the chosen tone, and the "Save" button is enabled.
Scheduling Different Messages Based on Day
BDD: Given the user is on the scheduling settings page and has defined multiple custom messages, when the user assigns a specific message to a day of the week, then the system stores the mapping, displays the schedule summary, and ensures only one message is active per day.
Previewing and Confirming Nudge Content
BDD: Given the user has selected or created a message, when the user clicks "Preview", then a sample notification appears showing the message text, tone icon, send time, and "Confirm" and "Edit" options, and selecting "Confirm" saves the final configuration.
Applying Tone Preferences to Nudge Notifications
Rule: Given a saved nudge configuration, when the scheduled time arrives, then the push notification displays the message with a tone-specific icon or style and adheres to the user's notification settings.
Multi-channel Notification Support
"As a remote team member, I want to receive my reflection reminders via Slack so that I see them in the tool I use most."
Description

Support sending reflection reminders through multiple channels, including in-app notifications, email, and Slack. Users should be able to enable or disable channels, set prefered channel priority, and adjust notification settings per channel. Multi-channel delivery ensures higher visibility and accommodates varied user preferences.

Acceptance Criteria
User Enables Notification Channels
Given a user opens the notification settings, When they toggle on email, Slack, or in-app notifications, Then the selected channels must be marked as enabled and saved.
User Sets Notification Channel Priority
Given a user has multiple channels enabled, When they reorder channels in the settings, Then the channel priority list must update and reflect the new order on subsequent notifications.
Multi-channel Reminder Delivery
Given a reminder is scheduled, When the reminder triggers, Then the system must send it via all enabled channels in the defined priority order within five minutes of the scheduled time.
User Disables a Notification Channel
Given a user decides to stop receiving reminders on a channel, When they toggle off that channel, Then no further reminders should be sent via that channel until it is re-enabled.
Notification Settings Persistence
Given a user updates their channel preferences or priority, When they log out and log back in, Then their settings must persist and load correctly in the notification settings screen.
Streak Tracking and Persistence
"As a user, I want to see my journaling streak so that I stay motivated to keep it going."
Description

Implement a robust streak tracking system that records consecutive daily check-ins, displays current streak on the dashboard, and provides gentle reminders when a streak is in jeopardy. The data must persist across devices and sessions, ensuring users never lose their progress. Highlighting streaks motivates users to maintain consistency in journaling.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Streak Creation
Given a new user completes their first daily check-in, the system sets the streak count to 1 and displays “1” on the dashboard.
Streak Increment on Consecutive Check-ins
Given a user completed a check-in on the previous calendar day, when they check in again today, the streak count increases by 1 and the updated streak is reflected instantly on their dashboard.
Streak Reset After Missed Check-in
Given a user fails to check in within 24 hours of their last entry, when they next complete a check-in, the streak count resets to 1 and the dashboard shows a notification explaining the reset.
Streak Persistence Across Devices and Sessions
Given a user switches devices or logs out and back in, when they view their dashboard, the current streak displays exactly as recorded in the central database without loss of data.
Reminder When Streak Is in Jeopardy
Given a user has not checked in within their usual daily window and is within one hour of breaking their streak, the system sends a non-intrusive reminder notification at an optimal time based on their usage habits.

Peer Sparks

Allows users to optionally share selected three-word entries with chosen peers or mentors in a secure micro-feed. This feature promotes empathy, opens opportunities for timely support, and strengthens team bonds by revealing authentic emotional snapshots.

Requirements

Selective Entry Sharing
"As a team member, I want to share my three-word mood entry with chosen peers so that I can confidentially seek support and strengthen team connections."
Description

This functionality enables users to select one of their three-word mood entries and share it with specific peers or mentors through a micro-feed interface. The feature should allow users to choose individual or group recipients and include options for customizing the visibility window. It integrates seamlessly with PulseBoard’s mood check-in workflow, promoting timely support and fostering empathy by revealing authentic snapshots in a controlled manner.

Acceptance Criteria
Individual Peer Sharing Scenario
Given a user has completed a three-word entry, When the user selects 'Share' and chooses exactly one peer from the recipient list, And sets a six-hour visibility window, Then the entry is posted to that peer's micro-feed and expires after six hours.
Group Sharing Scenario
Given a user has completed a three-word entry, When the user selects 'Share', chooses multiple peers or a named group as recipients, And confirms the selection, Then the entry appears in each recipient's micro-feed immediately.
Visibility Window Customization Scenario
Given a user is on the share dialog, When the user specifies a custom visibility period between 1 and 24 hours, Then the system accepts the value and ensures the entry is inaccessible after that period.
Workflow Integration Scenario
Given a user completes a mood check-in, When the share option is presented automatically after submission, Then the user can share without losing their place in the check-in workflow and returns to the dashboard after sharing or canceling.
Sharing Cancellation Scenario
Given a user opens the share dialog but decides not to share, When the user clicks 'Cancel', Then no entry is posted and the user is returned to the dashboard with no changes saved.
Privacy and Access Controls
"As a user, I want to configure who can view my shared mood entries so that I can maintain my privacy and share information securely."
Description

This requirement mandates the implementation of robust privacy settings that give users full control over who can view their shared entries. Users should be able to manage recipient lists, set expiration dates for visibility, and modify sharing permissions at any time. It must comply with data protection standards and ensure that private entries are only accessible to authorized individuals.

Acceptance Criteria
Manage Recipient Lists
Given a user is creating or editing a shared entry, when they add or remove peers from the recipient list, then the system updates the list in real-time and confirms the current recipients.
Set Visibility Expiration
Given a user sets an expiration date for a shared entry, when the expiration date is reached, then the entry is removed from all recipient micro-feeds and becomes inaccessible.
Modify Sharing Permissions Post-Publish
Given an existing shared entry, when a user changes sharing permissions or updates the recipient list, then the system applies changes immediately and notifies all affected users of their updated access.
Data Protection Compliance Verification
Given a user shares an entry, when the data is in transit and at rest, then the system enforces end-to-end encryption and logs consent records in compliance with data protection standards.
Revoke Access for Unauthorized Users
Given a user has been removed from a shared entry’s recipient list, when they attempt to access the entry, then the system denies access and displays an appropriate error message.
Real-Time Notification Alerts
"As a mentor, I want to receive immediate alerts when a team member shares their mood entry so that I can provide timely support."
Description

The system must deliver instantaneous notifications to selected peers or mentors when an entry is shared. Notifications should be configurable by channel (email, in-app push, or Slack integration) and include a summary snippet with a link to view the full entry. This ensures that recipients are promptly informed and can respond quickly, enhancing the feature’s support-driven intent.

Acceptance Criteria
Email Notification Dispatch
Given a user shares an entry and selects email as the notification channel, when the system processes the share, then it sends an email to the recipient within 5 seconds containing the subject 'New PulseBoard Entry from [Sender]', a summary snippet of the three-word entry, and a link to view the full entry; and logs the email dispatch status as 'Success'.
In-App Push Notification Delivery
Given a recipient has in-app notifications enabled, when a peer shares an entry, then the system delivers a push notification within 2 seconds in the app’s notification center, displaying the summary snippet and a clickable link that navigates to the full entry detail page; and records the delivery timestamp.
Slack Channel Alert
Given a user has configured Slack integration and selected a target Slack channel, when an entry is shared, then the system posts a message to the specified Slack channel within 5 seconds, containing the sender’s name, summary snippet, and link to the full entry, formatted in valid Slack message syntax; and marks the notification as delivered in the audit log.
Notification Channel Configuration Persistence
Given a user updates their notification preferences by selecting or deselecting channels (email, in-app, Slack), when the user saves the preferences, then the system persists the changes immediately, and after logout and login, the new preferences remain in effect for all subsequent notifications.
Notification Link Navigation
Given a recipient views any notification (email, in-app, or Slack), when the recipient clicks the link in the notification, then the application opens directly to the entry’s detail page, displays the full three-word entry along with sender metadata, and shows correct navigation breadcrumbs.
Encrypted Micro-Feed Storage
"As an HR lead, I want shared entries to be encrypted so that sensitive emotional data remains secure and compliant with privacy regulations."
Description

All shared three-word entries must be stored securely using end-to-end encryption. The storage layer should be designed to protect data at rest and in transit, ensuring compliance with industry standards such as AES-256. This requirement includes key management, secure APIs, and audit logging to track access and modifications for regulatory compliance and user trust.

Acceptance Criteria
Encryption of Data at Rest in Micro-Feed Storage
Given a three-word entry is saved to the micro-feed storage, When the entry is written to disk, Then the data must be encrypted using AES-256 and stored only in its encrypted form.
Secure Transmission of Three-Word Entries
Given a three-word entry is transmitted via API, When the data is in transit, Then the connection must use TLS 1.2 or higher and the payload must be encrypted end-to-end.
Key Management and Rotation
Given encryption keys reach their rotation threshold, When 30 days have passed since last rotation, Then the system must automatically generate new AES-256 keys, rotate them in the KMS, and re-encrypt existing entries without data loss.
Authenticated Secure API Access
Given a client calls the micro-feed API, When the request arrives, Then the system must validate the OAuth 2.0 token, enforce RBAC policies, and return data only if permissions are granted.
Audit Log Generation for Micro-Feed Access
Given any read or write operation on micro-feed entries, When the operation occurs, Then the system must record the user ID, timestamp, operation type, and resource ID in a tamper-evident audit log accessible for review.
Peer Feedback Mechanism
"As a peer, I want to acknowledge a colleague’s shared entry with an emoji or comment so that I can show support and initiate conversations."
Description

Enable recipients to respond to shared entries with predefined reaction emojis or concise text comments. The mechanism should support quick acknowledgment (e.g., "👍", "💬") and optional follow-up messages. Feedback should be visible only to the original sharer and responder, maintaining a private, supportive channel. Integrates with the user’s conversation history for context.

Acceptance Criteria
Emoji Reaction Response
Given a user has received a shared three-word entry When the recipient clicks a predefined emoji (e.g., 👍 or ❤️) under the entry Then the system records the reaction And the emoji appears next to the entry in the private feedback view for both the sharer and the responder only
Text Comment Response
Given a user has received a shared three-word entry When the recipient types a concise text comment (max 200 characters) and submits Then the system stores the comment And the comment displays in the private feedback view for both the sharer and the responder only
Private Feedback Visibility
Given feedback (emoji or text) has been provided When any user other than the sharer or responder views the feed Then the feedback is not visible in public or team-wide areas And only the original sharer and the responder can access the feedback thread
Conversation History Integration
Given a user views their conversation history with a peer When feedback on a shared entry occurs Then the entry and its feedback (emoji or text) are appended in chronological order And historical context (timestamp, entry content) is preserved
Follow-Up Message Notification
Given feedback has been submitted to a shared entry When the responder provides an emoji reaction or comment Then the original sharer receives an in-app notification within 2 seconds And an optional email notification within 5 minutes containing a link to the feedback thread

Cascade Stream

A real-time, dynamic feed that displays peer-to-peer shout-outs as they happen. By surfacing live kudos on the company dashboard, users stay informed of colleagues' contributions, fostering continuous recognition and driving positive energy across the organization.

Requirements

Real-time Event Ingestion
"As a remote team member, I want my shout-outs to be captured instantly when I recognize a colleague so that the entire organization can see and celebrate contributions in real time."
Description

Ingest kudos events from integrated collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, email) in real time using webhooks or API polling, ensuring each shout-out is captured and queued for display with minimal delay. This continuous data stream enables instantaneous recognition and supports live analytics, allowing the Cascade Stream to reflect the latest peer-to-peer feedback without manual intervention or refresh requirements.

Acceptance Criteria
Slack Kudos Webhook Ingestion
Given a valid Slack webhook is configured When a user posts a shout-out in Slack Then the event is received by PulseBoard within 2 seconds and enqueued with correct user and message metadata
Microsoft Teams API Polling
Given Microsoft Teams API credentials are provided When the system polls every 5 seconds Then all new shout-out events are retrieved without duplication and queued for display
Webhook Failure Fallback
Given webhook delivery returns HTTP 5xx or 4xx errors consecutively When retry threshold is reached Then the system switches to API polling mode and ingests events without loss
Email Integration for Kudos
Given an email address is configured for kudos When an email with "Kudos" in the subject arrives Then the system parses sender, recipient, and message body and queues the event within 10 seconds
High Throughput Ingestion Performance
Given 100 concurrent shout-out events sent from any source When events are ingested Then all 100 events are processed and enqueued within 1 second with zero loss
Dynamic Feed Rendering
"As a manager, I want the kudos feed to update automatically so that I can stay current on team morale without manually refreshing the dashboard."
Description

Render incoming kudos events on the Cascade Stream dashboard in real time, updating the UI seamlessly without requiring page reloads. Implement smooth animations, timestamp-based ordering, and automatic scroll adjustments to ensure a cohesive user experience. This fluid display keeps users engaged and informed of live recognition activity across the organization.

Acceptance Criteria
Live Kudos Event Rendering
Given a kudos event is received via WebSocket, when the event arrives, then it is rendered on the Cascade Stream dashboard within 2 seconds at the top of the feed.
Timestamp-Based Ordering
Given multiple kudos events with different timestamps, when they are displayed in the feed, then they are ordered descending by server timestamp, with the newest first.
Smooth Animation Display
Given a kudos event is rendered, when it appears in the UI, then it uses a 300ms fade-in animation at 60fps with no dropped frames.
Automatic Scroll Adjustment
Given the user is scrolled to the bottom of the feed, when a new kudos event arrives, then the view automatically scrolls to reveal the new entry without user intervention.
High Event Volume Handling
Given 50 kudos events arrive within a 5-second window, when they are processed, then all events render in the correct order on the feed within 2 seconds and no events are dropped.
Filter and Personalization Options
"As an HR lead, I want to filter the feed by department so that I can monitor recognition trends specific to each team."
Description

Provide users with controls to filter the Cascade Stream by team, department, project, or time window, and allow saving of personalized feed views. Include multi-select filters, date range selectors, and a ‘favorites’ feature for frequently used configurations. These options help users focus on the most relevant shout-outs for their role and interests.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter Cascade Stream by Single Team
Given a logged-in user is on the Cascade Stream When the user selects a single team from the team filter dropdown Then the stream displays only shout-outs associated with the selected team
Apply Multiple Filters Simultaneously
Given a logged-in user applies multiple filters (team, department, and project) When the user confirms filter selections Then the stream updates to show only shout-outs matching all selected filters
Filter Cascade Stream by Date Range
Given a logged-in user opens the date range picker When the user selects a valid start and end date and applies the filter Then the stream displays shout-outs posted within the specified date range
Save Personalized Feed Configuration
Given a logged-in user has applied desired filters and date range When the user clicks the ‘Save as Favorite’ button and provides a name Then the configuration is saved and listed under the user’s favorites
Access and Apply Favorite Feed Views
Given a logged-in user has one or more saved favorites When the user selects a favorite configuration from the favorites menu Then the stream automatically applies the filters and date range from that favorite
Persist Personalized View Across Sessions
Given a logged-in user returns to the Cascade Stream page in a new session When the user has set a default favorite configuration Then the stream loads with the default filters and date range already applied
Notification and Alert System
"As a team member, I want to receive a notification when someone praises my work so that I can acknowledge and respond promptly."
Description

Enable users to subscribe to real-time notifications or email digests for specific shout-out triggers, such as mentions of their name, team-wide kudos milestones, or high-frequency recognition bursts. Offer configurable thresholds and delivery channels to ensure timely awareness and to drive proactive engagement.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Mention Notification Subscription
Given a user has subscribed to real-time notifications for mentions in Cascade Stream When another user includes their username in a shout-out Then the subscribed user receives a push or in-app notification within 5 seconds containing the shout-out content and the sender's name.
Weekly Team Kudos Milestone Email Digest
Given a user is subscribed to weekly email digests for team-wide kudos milestones When the team reaches predefined milestone thresholds (e.g., 50 shout-outs in a week) Then the user receives a summarized email by 9 AM on Monday detailing the total shout-outs, top contributors, and milestone achieved.
High-Frequency Recognition Burst Alert
Given a user has configured a high-frequency recognition burst alert threshold (e.g., 10 shout-outs in 15 minutes) When the number of shout-outs in the team meets or exceeds this threshold in the rolling window Then the system sends an immediate alert via the user's chosen channel indicating a recognition burst.
Notification Delivery Channel Configuration
Given a user accesses notification settings for Cascade Stream When they choose and save preferred channels (push, email, SMS) Then the system updates their subscription preferences and sends a test notification through each selected channel.
Notification Unsubscribe and Preference Update
Given a user wants to unsubscribe or modify their alert preferences When they toggle off a subscription or adjust thresholds Then the system confirms the update instantly and stops or adjusts notifications according to the new preferences.
Admin Moderation Controls
"As an administrator, I want to remove or flag inappropriate shout-outs so that the company’s recognition feed remains professional and aligned with corporate policies."
Description

Equip administrators with tools to review, edit, or remove inappropriate or policy-violating shout-outs from the Cascade Stream. Include features for manual moderation, automated profanity filtering, and audit logs for all moderation actions. This ensures the recognition feed maintains a respectful and compliant tone.

Acceptance Criteria
Manual Moderation Interface Availability
Given an administrator is logged into the Cascade Stream dashboard, when they select any shout-out item, then options to edit or remove the shout-out appear within 2 seconds.
Shout-out Removal Confirmation Workflow
Given an administrator clicks the remove option on a shout-out, when they confirm the deletion in the confirmation dialog, then the shout-out is immediately removed from the feed and an audit log entry is created.
Automated Profanity Filtering
Given a user submits a shout-out containing any term in the banned words list, when the system processes the submission, then the shout-out is blocked, the user sees an error message specifying the violation, and no entry appears in the feed.
Audit Log Record Detail
Given any moderation action (edit or remove) is performed by an administrator, when the action completes, then the audit log entry records the timestamp, administrator ID, action type, original content, and (if edited) updated content.
Real-time Feed Update Post-Moderation
Given a shout-out is edited or removed by an administrator, when the moderation action is confirmed, then the Cascade Stream feed updates in real time for all connected users within 5 seconds.
Scalability and Performance
"As an IT operations lead, I want the live feed to remain fast and reliable during peak usage so that team engagement isn’t hindered by performance issues."
Description

Architect the Cascade Stream infrastructure to handle peak loads of at least 1,000 events per second, maintaining end-to-end ingestion-to-display latency under 200ms. Implement horizontal scaling, load balancing, and efficient caching strategies to support organizational growth without performance degradation.

Acceptance Criteria
Peak Traffic Event Ingestion
Given the system receives 1,000 shout-out events per second during peak hours, when ingesting and displaying these events, then end-to-end latency must remain under 200ms for at least 99% of events.
Automatic Horizontal Scaling Trigger
When CPU utilization across Cascade Stream instances exceeds 70% for more than 2 consecutive minutes, then the orchestration layer must provision new instances within 30 seconds to handle additional load.
Load Balancer Distribution Efficiency
Given a sustained load of 1,000 events per second, when the load balancer distributes incoming requests, then no single instance may handle more than 10% above the average event rate across all active instances.
Cache Hit Rate Under Load
When users request the live shout-out feed repeatedly within a 5-second window, then the caching layer must achieve a minimum 90% cache hit rate to reduce backend processing.
Graceful Degradation on Instance Failure
Given a single Cascade Stream instance failure during peak load, when the failure occurs, then remaining instances must absorb the events without data loss and maintain end-to-end latency under 200ms.

Amplify Connect

Seamlessly broadcasts kudos across multiple communication channels—like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and email—ensuring every appreciation reaches the right audience. This unified distribution eliminates manual sharing, amplifies recognition visibility, and keeps remote employees engaged.

Requirements

Multi-Channel Integration
"As a remote team manager, I want to connect PulseBoard to our Slack, Teams, and email channels so that kudos are automatically shared where my team already communicates."
Description

Develop seamless connectivity with Slack, Microsoft Teams, and email services, enabling automatic broadcasting of kudos messages across selected channels. Implement OAuth-based authentication for each platform to ensure secure access, allow users to choose target channels or groups, and synchronize permissions. The integration should support real-time delivery, display sender and recipient details accurately, and maintain consistent formatting across platforms to enhance visibility and engagement.

Acceptance Criteria
OAuth Authentication Flow
Given a user initiates connection to Slack, Microsoft Teams, or email, When the user completes the OAuth login and grants permissions, Then the system securely stores the access token and displays a confirmation message.
Channel Selection Persistence
Given a user selects specific channels or groups for kudos delivery, When the user saves their preferences, Then the selected channels/groups remain pre-selected on subsequent sessions.
Real-Time Kudos Delivery
Given a user sends a kudos message, When the message is triggered for broadcast, Then the system delivers the message to all chosen platforms within 5 seconds and logs a success response.
Message Formatting Consistency
Given a kudos message containing text, emojis, and sender/recipient names, When broadcasted to Slack, Teams, and email, Then the formatting (bold, italics, line breaks) should be preserved consistently across all channels.
Permission Synchronization
Given a user’s role and permissions in Slack or Teams change, When the integration syncs, Then the system updates channel access accordingly and disables options for unauthorized channels.
Customizable Kudos Templates
"As an HR lead, I want customizable kudos templates so that I can quickly send on-brand recognition messages without crafting each one from scratch."
Description

Provide a library of pre-designed kudos templates with editable fields for message content, emojis, and branding. Enable administrators to create, modify, and organize templates by category or occasion. Incorporate variables (e.g., @username, date) for personalized messages, and allow previewing before sending. This feature streamlines recognition, ensures consistent tone, and saves time for users drafting kudos.

Acceptance Criteria
Create New Kudos Template
Given an administrator is on the 'New Template' screen, when they fill in all required fields (template name, message content, emojis, and branding assets) and click 'Save', then the template is stored in the library and visible in the 'Manage Templates' list.
Edit Existing Kudos Template
Given an administrator selects an existing template from the library, when they modify editable fields (message content, emojis, branding) and save changes, then the updated template reflects the modifications in both the preview and library list.
Organize Templates by Category
Given an administrator creates or selects a category, when they assign or move templates into that category, then templates are correctly listed under the selected category and can be filtered by category in the library view.
Preview Customized Template
Given an administrator has filled or edited a template with variables (@username, date), when they click 'Preview', then the system displays the message with placeholder variables populated by sample data and applied branding, matching the final output format.
Variable Personalization in Kudos
Given a template contains variables (@username and {{date}}), when an administrator sends a kudos using that template, then the system replaces variables with the recipient's actual username and the current date in the sent message across all integrated channels.
Scheduling & Queuing
"As a team lead, I want to schedule kudos in advance so that I can plan recognition around project milestones and not miss important moments."
Description

Implement a scheduling system that allows users to set future send times for kudos broadcasts, with an intuitive calendar picker and queue overview. The queue should display upcoming kudos, their target channels, and status (pending, sent, failed). Provide options to edit or cancel scheduled messages, and send automatic reminders for unsent kudos. This ensures timely recognition without manual intervention at the moment of celebration.

Acceptance Criteria
Scheduling Kudos for Future Delivery
Given a user is on the scheduling interface with a calendar picker, When they select a future date and time and confirm, Then the kudos message appears in the queue with the correct scheduled timestamp and status 'Pending'. Given a user attempts to select a past date/time, When they try to confirm, Then the system prevents scheduling and displays an inline validation error.
Viewing and Managing the Kudos Queue
When a user navigates to the queue overview page, Then they see a list of all scheduled kudos with columns for scheduled time, target channels, and current status. When new kudos are added or statuses change, Then the queue updates in real time without a page reload.
Editing a Scheduled Kudos Message
Given a kudos message is in 'Pending' status, When the user clicks 'Edit' and modifies the content, scheduled time, or channels and saves, Then the queue reflects the updated details and retains 'Pending' status. Given invalid input during edit (e.g., past date), When the user attempts to save, Then the system prevents saving and shows relevant validation errors.
Cancelling a Scheduled Kudos
Given a kudos message is in 'Pending' status, When the user clicks 'Cancel' and confirms the action, Then the message is removed from the queue and a success notification is displayed. Given a user attempts to cancel a kudos that has already been 'Sent', When they click 'Cancel', Then the option is disabled and an explanatory tooltip is displayed.
Automatic Reminder for Unsent Kudos
Given a kudos message remains in 'Pending' or 'Failed' status 30 minutes past its scheduled send time, When the reminder process runs, Then the system sends an automatic reminder notification to the user. When a reminder is sent, Then a timestamped entry is added to the user's notification history.
Broadcast Analytics Dashboard
"As an HR lead, I want to view analytics on kudos broadcasts so that I can measure engagement and adjust our recognition strategy accordingly."
Description

Create a real-time analytics dashboard that tracks kudos distribution metrics across all channels, including number sent, open rates, reactions, and engagement over time. Provide visualizations such as bar charts, time-series graphs, and channel breakdowns. Include filters for date range, team, and channel type. Export functionality should allow CSV and PDF reports for leadership review, enabling data-driven decisions to boost morale initiatives.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Kudos Metrics Overview
Given the user is on the Broadcast Analytics Dashboard, when real-time data is loaded, then the dashboard displays the total number of kudos sent, open rates, reactions, and engagement metrics updated within 1 minute of any kudos event.
Filter Metrics by Date Range
Given the user selects a custom date range filter, when start and end dates are applied, then only kudos metrics within that range are displayed, and charts update accordingly within 2 seconds.
Channel-Specific Breakdown
Given the user chooses a specific communication channel (Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Email), when the filter is applied, then the dashboard shows only metrics (number sent, open rate, reactions) for the selected channel.
Export Dashboard Reports
Given the user clicks the export button and selects CSV or PDF, when the export action is confirmed, then a file is generated reflecting the current filters and visualizations, downloadable within 5 seconds and matching data in the dashboard.
Time-Series Visualization Accuracy
Given the user views the time-series graph, when displaying engagement trends over time, then the graph accurately plots metrics at daily intervals with values matching the underlying raw data.
Error Handling & Retry Mechanism
"As an administrator, I want automatic retries and clear error notifications for failed kudos broadcasts so that I can address issues quickly and maintain continuous recognition flow."
Description

Design robust error detection and retry logic for failed broadcast attempts. Capture platform-specific error codes (e.g., authentication expires, rate limits) and display clear diagnostics in an admin console. Automatically retry transient failures up to a configurable limit with exponential backoff. Notify administrators of persistent failures via email or in-app alerts, providing actionable steps to resolve issues and ensure critical kudos messages are not lost.

Acceptance Criteria
Transient API Errors are Automatically Retried
Given a kudos broadcast attempt fails with a transient error code (e.g., HTTP 503) When the retry count is below the configurable limit Then the system waits using exponential backoff and retries the broadcast
Platform-specific Errors are Logged with Diagnostics
Given a broadcast attempt fails with a platform-specific error (e.g., authentication expires) When the error is captured Then the admin console displays the platform name, error code, timestamp, and descriptive error message
Retry Mechanism Utilizes Exponential Backoff
Given the initial retry delay is set to X milliseconds When a broadcast retry is triggered after a failure Then each subsequent retry delay doubles up to a maximum cap
Administrators are Notified of Persistent Failures
Given retries have reached the configurable limit and the broadcast still fails When no further retries are performed Then the system sends an email and an in-app alert to administrators with failure details and resolution steps
Retry Limit is Configurable and Respected
Given the administrator sets the retry limit to N When consecutive failures occur Then the system stops retrying after N attempts and logs the final failure

Team Ripple

Automatically groups individual shout-outs into thematic ‘ripple’ events when multiple acknowledgments target the same project or goal. This feature highlights collective achievements, strengthens team cohesion, and encourages collaborative excellence by celebrating shared successes.

Requirements

Automatic Ripple Grouping
"As a team manager, I want team shout-outs automatically grouped into ripple events so that I can see collective achievements at a glance."
Description

Automatically detect and group individual team shout-outs that target the same project, goal, or theme within a configurable time window, forming a single ‘ripple’ event. This requirement leverages real-time data processing and matching algorithms to identify related acknowledgments, ensuring that collective achievements are highlighted. It integrates with existing shout-out ingestion pipelines and persists ripple metadata for analytics and reporting, enhancing the product by showcasing teamwork in a consolidated and meaningful way.

Acceptance Criteria
Detection of Similar Shout-outs Within Time Window
Given multiple shout-outs referencing the same project within the configured time window, when the system processes incoming shout-outs, then those shout-outs are tagged with the same ripple ID.
Grouping Shout-outs into a Ripple Event
Given tagged shout-outs with the same ripple ID, when the system aggregates them, then a single ripple event is created containing all related shout-outs in the UI and in the database.
Configurable Time Window Applied for Grouping
Given an administrator sets a custom time window for ripple detection, when shout-outs are ingested, then only those within the specified window are grouped together.
Persistence of Ripple Metadata for Analytics
Given a ripple event is created, when the data is stored, then metadata including ripple ID, project reference, shout-out IDs, and timestamps are persisted in the analytics database.
Real-time Notification of New Ripple Events
Given a new ripple event is formed, when the ripple is saved, then subscribed users receive a real-time notification with ripple summary and link to details.
Thematic Classification Engine
"As an HR lead, I want recognition themes identified for each ripple event so that I can understand which goals motivate the team."
Description

Implement a natural language processing (NLP) engine that analyzes the content of shout-outs to identify common themes or keywords and tag ripple events accordingly. This engine enhances ripple context by surfacing dominant themes (e.g., innovation, collaboration) and feeds metadata into the dashboard. By classifying ripples thematically, the feature provides deeper insights into team strengths and recurring success factors.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Theme Recognition
Given a shout-out containing the keyword 'innovation', when processed by the thematic classification engine, then the shout-out is tagged with the 'innovation' theme and no other themes are assigned.
Multiple Theme Recognition
Given a shout-out referencing both 'collaboration' and 'problem-solving', when analyzed by the engine, then it assigns both 'collaboration' and 'problem-solving' tags to the shout-out.
Unrecognized Theme Handling
Given a shout-out that does not match any predefined keywords, when processed by the engine, then it assigns the tag 'Other' to the shout-out.
Theme Classification Accuracy Benchmark
Given a dataset of 100 historical shout-outs with manual theme labels, when the engine processes the dataset, then it achieves at least 90% agreement with the manual labels.
Dashboard Metadata Display
Given a ripple event tagged with themes, when viewed in the dashboard, then all assigned theme tags appear correctly under the ripple's metadata section.
Ripple Dashboard Visualization
"As a team manager, I want to view ripple events on a dashboard with interactive charts so that I can track team engagement visually."
Description

Design and develop an interactive dashboard component that displays detected ripple events with visual elements such as clustered timelines, theme-based color coding, and summary cards. Users can filter ripples by date range, theme, or team, and drill down into individual shout-outs within each ripple. This visualization integrates seamlessly with the PulseBoard UI, delivering real-time insights into collective achievements.

Acceptance Criteria
Date Range Filtering Scenario
Given the user selects a specific start and end date for the ripple dashboard, when the dashboard refreshes, then only ripple events with shout-outs occurring within the selected date range are displayed, and any events outside the range are excluded.
Theme-Based Filter Scenario
Given the user applies a theme filter (e.g., ‘Innovation’), when the filter is active, then all ripple events displayed must correspond to the selected theme and be color-coded accordingly, and no events from other themes should appear.
Team Filter Scenario
Given the user filters ripple events by a specific team, when the filter is applied, then only ripples associated with that team’s shout-outs are visible, and the dashboard header indicates the active team filter.
Drill-Down Interaction Scenario
Given the user clicks on a ripple summary card in the dashboard, when the card is selected, then a detailed view opens showing all individual shout-outs within that ripple, including sender, recipient, message, and timestamp.
Real-Time Update Scenario
Given a new shout-out is created that belongs to an existing ripple theme, when the shout-out is submitted, then the corresponding ripple event on the dashboard updates automatically within 5 seconds without requiring a page refresh.
Custom Ripple Configuration
"As an HR lead, I want to configure the minimum number of shout-outs and time window for ripple formation so that I can adjust sensitivity based on team size."
Description

Provide a configuration interface allowing administrators to define the parameters for ripple formation, including minimum shout-out count, time window size, and theme sensitivity thresholds. Changes take effect immediately, enabling teams of varying sizes and cultures to adjust ripple sensitivity. This requirement enhances flexibility and ensures ripples accurately reflect meaningful group recognition across different teams.

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum Shout-Out Threshold Adjustment
Given an administrator configures the minimum shout-out count to 5, when only 4 shout-outs occur within the specified time window, then no ripple is generated; and when the fifth shout-out is submitted within that time window, then a ripple is formed and displayed in the dashboard within 5 seconds.
Time Window Configuration Effect
Given an administrator sets the time window size to 2 hours, when shout-outs are submitted 90 minutes apart, then they are grouped into the same ripple; when a shout-out occurs after 2 hours and 1 minute from the first, then it is not included in the previous ripple but starts a new ripple.
Theme Sensitivity Threshold Adjustment
Given an administrator sets theme sensitivity to 90% match threshold, when multiple shout-outs have only 80% thematic similarity, then they are not grouped; when shout-outs exceed 90% similarity on keywords, then they are grouped into a single ripple.
Immediate Effect of Configuration Changes
Given an administrator updates any ripple configuration parameter, when a new shout-out arrives immediately after saving, then the system applies the updated configuration without requiring a page refresh or system restart.
Configuration Persistence Across Sessions
Given an administrator configures ripple settings and logs out, when the administrator logs back in, then the previously saved settings are intact and applied to subsequent shout-outs.
Ripple Alert Notifications
"As a team member, I want to receive notifications for new ripple events in Slack so that I can celebrate with the team immediately."
Description

Enable real-time notifications for new ripple events via multiple channels (in-app, email, Slack). Each notification summarizes the ripple theme, number of shout-outs, and key participants, with a link back to the full ripple details. This requirement promotes timely recognition and encourages team engagement by ensuring stakeholders are immediately informed of collective successes.

Acceptance Criteria
In-App Notification Delivery
Given the PulseBoard in-app client is active and the user is logged in When a new ripple event is generated Then the user receives an in-app notification within 5 seconds that displays the ripple theme, total shout-out count, and list of key participants
Email Notification Delivery
Given a user with a registered email When a new ripple event occurs Then an email is sent within 60 seconds to the user’s mailbox with a subject containing the ripple theme, a body summarizing the number of shout-outs and key participants, and a link to view full ripple details
Slack Notification Delivery
Given the user’s Slack workspace is connected When a new ripple event occurs Then a Slack message is posted to the designated channel within 60 seconds including the ripple theme, shout-out count, key participants, and a hyperlink to the ripple details
Notification Content Accuracy
Given any notification is delivered When the user reviews the notification Then it accurately displays the ripple theme, correct shout-out count, and actual participant names as recorded in the system
Notification Link Functionality
Given the user clicks the link provided in a notification When the link is clicked Then the user is directed to the full ripple details page in the PulseBoard app or web interface without errors

Kudos Map

An interactive org-chart visualization that traces the flow of appreciation between senders and recipients. Users can explore recognition networks, discover hidden influencers, and identify cross-team collaborators, promoting transparency and deeper peer connections.

Requirements

Interactive Org Chart Rendering
"As a team manager, I want to explore the flow of kudos across my team in an intuitive, interactive chart so that I can quickly identify key contributors and collaboration patterns."
Description

Implement a dynamic, zoomable network graph visualization that displays users as nodes and appreciation interactions as directional edges. This component must support smooth pan and zoom controls, node clustering for large datasets, and responsive rendering on various screen sizes. The visualization should integrate seamlessly with the existing PulseBoard dashboard, fetching and displaying real-time recognition data without degrading performance.

Acceptance Criteria
Zoom and Pan Interaction
Given the user is viewing the org chart on any device, When the user performs a pinch, scroll, or drag gesture to zoom or pan, Then the chart must smoothly adjust the view within 60fps and respond within 200ms without rendering artifacts or stutter.
Node Clustering for Large Teams
Given an org chart dataset exceeding 200 nodes, When the chart initializes, Then nodes must automatically cluster into groups based on team or recognition density, And clicking a cluster must expand or collapse it within 300ms.
Responsive Rendering on Mobile and Desktop
Given the user accesses PulseBoard on desktop, tablet, or mobile, When the dashboard loads, Then the org chart must fully render in under 150ms and adjust layout for the current viewport without horizontal scrolling.
Real-time Data Updates
Given live recognition events are received, When a new appreciation interaction occurs, Then the org chart must update to add or adjust the corresponding edge and node within 5 seconds without a full reload.
Performance under High Load
Given the org chart displays up to 1,000 interactions and 500 nodes, When the user interacts with the chart (pan, zoom, cluster), Then the system must maintain a minimum of 50fps and limit memory usage increase to less than 100MB.
Node Detail Popover
"As an HR lead, I want to see detailed information about each user’s recognition activity directly on the org chart so that I can understand individual contributions without navigating away."
Description

Develop a contextual popover that appears when a user clicks or hovers over a node in the Kudos Map. The popover should display detailed information such as user profile, total kudos sent and received, recent recognition messages, and links to view full user profiles or recognition history. Ensure the popover is accessible, mobile-responsive, and dismissible by clicking outside its bounds.

Acceptance Criteria
Popover Display on Click
Given the Kudos Map is loaded successfully When a user clicks on a node Then a popover appears adjacent to that node within 200ms displaying the user’s profile picture, full name, total kudos sent, total kudos received, three most recent recognition messages, and links to view the full user profile and recognition history
Popover Display on Hover
Given the Kudos Map is visible When a user hovers over a node for at least 500ms Then a popover appears adjacent to that node displaying the same details as on click without blocking other nodes
Accessibility Compliance
Given a popover is open When navigating via keyboard Then all interactive elements within the popover receive focus in a logical order and have appropriate ARIA labels for screen readers
Dismissal on Outside Click or Escape
Given the popover is open When the user clicks anywhere outside the popover or presses the Escape key Then the popover closes immediately and focus returns to the originating node
Mobile Responsiveness
Given the user accesses the Kudos Map on a mobile device When the user taps on a node Then a full-width, mobile-responsive popover opens displaying all required details with a visible close button
Filter and Search Capability
"As a remote team lead, I want to filter the Kudos Map by specific teams and timeframes so that I can focus on relevant segments and track recognition trends over defined periods."
Description

Add filters and a search bar to enable users to narrow the Kudos Map by department, team, date range, or recognition type. The filters should allow multi-select, date pickers for custom ranges, and real-time updates to the visualization upon filter changes. Implement debounced search to optimize performance and ensure that query results highlight matching nodes within the map.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter by Department Selection
Given a user selects one or more departments from the department filter dropdown When the selection is applied Then within 500ms the Kudos Map updates to display only nodes belonging to the selected departments and hides all others
Multi-Select Team Filter
Given a user opens the team filter and selects multiple teams When filter selections change Then the visualization immediately refreshes to include only nodes from the selected teams and excludes nodes from unselected teams
Custom Date Range Filtering
Given a user sets a custom start and end date using the date pickers When the date range is applied Then the Kudos Map refreshes within 1 second to show only recognitions that occurred within the specified date range
Recognition Type Filter Application
Given a user selects one or more recognition types in the recognition type filter When the filter is applied Then the map displays only nodes and connections corresponding to the chosen types and hides all others
Debounced Search Query Highlighting
Given a user enters text into the search bar When typing pauses for 300ms Then the system performs a search, highlights matching nodes in the Kudos Map, and scrolls the view to center on the first highlighted node
Real-time Data Synchronization
"As a team manager, I want the Kudos Map to update instantly when someone sends or receives kudos so that I always have the latest view of team morale."
Description

Ensure the Kudos Map reflects new recognition events in real time by integrating with the back-end event bus or WebSocket service. Implement delta updates to modify only affected nodes and edges, minimizing data transfer and re-rendering overhead. Include error handling and reconnection logic to maintain sync during network interruptions.

Acceptance Criteria
Live Update on New Recognition
Given a user is viewing the Kudos Map when a new recognition event is received over the WebSocket, then the new node and edge appear on the map within 2 seconds without full re-rendering.
Efficient Delta Update Handling
When multiple recognition events arrive in a batch, only the impacted nodes and edges are updated, ensuring the map update operation completes within 500ms for up to 50 changes.
Seamless Reconnection After Network Interruptions
Given the WebSocket connection drops, the client attempts reconnection every 5 seconds, and upon successful reconnection, processes and applies missed events in correct order before displaying the updated map.
Graceful Handling of Invalid Event Payloads
When the client receives an event with missing or malformed data, it logs the error, ignores the invalid event, and continues processing subsequent valid events without user-facing disruption.
High-frequency Event Processing Performance
Under a simulated load of 100 events per second, the client maintains UI responsiveness (frame rate above 30fps) and processes all events without loss.
Export and Share Map
"As a department head, I want to export and share the Kudos Map with stakeholders so that I can include visual recognition insights in my presentations."
Description

Provide functionality to export the current state of the Kudos Map as a PNG or SVG file and to generate a shareable link that preserves applied filters and zoom level. Allow users to download the image or copy the link with a single click, including options to embed the map in reports or presentations. Include metadata such as export timestamp and applied filters in the export.

Acceptance Criteria
PNG Export with Applied Filters
Given a user has applied specific filters and zoom level on the Kudos Map When the user selects 'Export as PNG' Then the system generates a PNG file reflecting the current visual state, including zoom and filters And automatically downloads the file to the user's device And includes metadata (export timestamp and list of applied filters) embedded in the file
SVG Export with Custom Zoom
Given a user has adjusted the zoom level on the Kudos Map When the user selects 'Export as SVG' Then the system generates an SVG file preserving the exact zoom level and map state And initiates an automatic download of the SVG file And embeds metadata (export timestamp and zoom level) within the file
Shareable Link Generation
Given a user has configured filters and zoom on the Kudos Map When the user clicks 'Generate Shareable Link' Then the system produces a unique URL encoding the current filters and zoom level And displays the URL in a modal with a 'Copy to Clipboard' button
Clipboard Copy of Shareable Link
Given a shareable link is generated and visible in the modal When the user clicks 'Copy to Clipboard' Then the link is copied to the user's clipboard And a confirmation message 'Link copied!' is displayed
Embed Code for Reports
Given a user needs to embed the Kudos Map in a report When the user selects 'Get Embed Code' Then the system provides an HTML snippet containing an iframe with the current map state (filters and zoom) And includes metadata as data attributes (export timestamp and applied filters)

Spotlight Beacon

Generates a curated weekly newsletter featuring top shout-outs, rising recognition stars, and trending appreciation themes. Delivered to all users, this digest spotlights exceptional contributions, inspires others to participate, and sustains momentum in the recognition culture.

Requirements

Weekly Recognition Aggregator
"As an HR lead, I want the system to automatically gather the top recognition posts from the past week so that I can showcase the most impactful shout-outs without manual effort."
Description

Develop an engine that automatically collects and filters user shout-outs, recognitions, and appreciation messages from the past week, ranking them by engagement metrics such as likes and comments. The aggregator should interface with the existing PulseBoard database and recognition APIs, ensure data accuracy, and support configurable filters for departments, teams, and recognition types.

Acceptance Criteria
Weekly Shout-Out Aggregation by Engagement
Given the date is 2025-06-01, when the weekly aggregation job executes, then it retrieves all shout-outs created between 2025-05-25 and 2025-05-31, and sorts them in descending order by number of likes.
Department and Team Filter Functionality
Given the manager selects the "Engineering" department and "Frontend Team" filter, when the aggregation runs, then only shout-outs tagged with Engineering and Frontend Team are returned.
Data Accuracy and Consistency Validation
Given the source database and recognition API, when the aggregator fetches records, then every shout-out entry in the newsletter payload matches the source data for content, author, timestamps, and engagement metrics.
Recognition API Integration Handling
Given intermittent API failures, when the aggregator calls the recognition API, then it retries up to three times on 5xx errors, logs any persistent failures, and excludes only failed records without blocking the entire aggregation.
Newsletter Payload Generation
Given the aggregated and filtered data set, when the newsletter payload is generated, then it includes the top 5 shout-outs by engagement, rising recognition stars section, and trending appreciation themes, formatted according to the newsletter JSON schema.
Template Customization Builder
"As a product manager, I want to customize newsletter templates so that the communication aligns with our brand identity and highlights key sections prominently."
Description

Implement a dynamic template editor allowing administrators to customize the look and feel of the weekly newsletter, including colors, logos, section ordering, and header text. The builder should offer real-time previews, support multiple layout presets, and integrate with PulseBoard’s branding guidelines to maintain consistency.

Acceptance Criteria
Admin Customizes Newsletter Color Scheme
Given the administrator is on the Template Customization Builder When they select primary and secondary colors using the color picker Then the newsletter preview updates within one second applying the selected colors correctly And the selected color values are saved and persisted upon saving the template
Admin Uploads and Positions Logo in Header
Given the administrator is in the header customization section When they upload a logo file (PNG or JPG, max 1MB) Then an upload progress indicator completes without error And the logo is displayed in the preview at the specified header position And the uploaded logo persists after saving the template
Admin Reorders Newsletter Sections
Given the newsletter has at least three configurable sections When the administrator drags and drops a section to a new position Then the preview updates immediately to reflect the new section order And the new ordering is preserved after saving and reloading the template
Admin Applies and Switches Layout Presets
Given multiple layout presets are available in the presets dropdown When the administrator selects a preset and clicks Apply Then the template updates to match the preset design within two seconds And the administrator can switch back to the default or another preset without error
Live Preview Reflects Customization Changes
Given the administrator makes multiple customization changes (colors, logos, section order) When they toggle between the editor view and preview mode Then the preview consistently displays all recent changes accurately And there are no discrepancies between editor settings and the live preview
Newsletter Scheduling and Delivery
"As a remote team manager, I want to schedule the newsletter to be sent every Monday morning to my team so that they consistently receive updates without me having to manually send it."
Description

Create a scheduling module that enables users to set delivery cadence (e.g., weekly on Monday at 9:00 AM), recipient groups, and time zones. The system must interface with the email service provider to queue and send personalized newsletters, handle bounces, and retry failed deliveries.

Acceptance Criteria
Schedule Weekly Newsletter Delivery
Given a user sets delivery cadence to weekly on Monday at 9:00 AM in their timezone, when they save the schedule, then the system schedules the newsletter for every Monday at 9:00 AM local time.
Select Recipient Groups
Given a user selects one or more recipient groups, when they confirm the recipient selection, then the newsletter is sent only to members of the selected groups.
Timezone-Aware Scheduling
Given recipients are in multiple time zones, when the newsletter is sent at the scheduled time, then each recipient receives it at 9:00 AM in their local time zone.
Handle Email Bounces and Retries
Given the system detects a bounce from the email service provider, when a bounce occurs, then the system logs the bounce event and retries sending up to three times with exponential backoff.
Integration with Email Service Provider
Given a scheduled newsletter is due, when the delivery time arrives, then the system enqueues the newsletter via the email service provider’s API and logs the successful queueing response.
Personalize Newsletter Content
Given user profile data is available, when generating the newsletter, then each recipient receives a version personalized with their name and relevant shout-outs.
Recognition Highlight Algorithm
"As a team lead, I want the system to highlight individuals whose recognition is rapidly growing so that I can acknowledge and encourage their positive impact early."
Description

Design and integrate an algorithm that identifies rising recognition stars by analyzing trends in shout-out frequency, sentiment analysis, and peer endorsements. The algorithm should surface emerging high-performers and trending appreciation themes to include in the spotlight digest.

Acceptance Criteria
Identifying Rising Stars Based on Shout-Out Frequency
Given a user’s shout-out count over the past four weeks has increased by at least 50% compared to the previous four weeks, when the algorithm evaluates recognition trends, then the user is flagged as a rising recognition star.
Detecting Positive Sentiment Trends
Given the sentiment analysis of shout-out messages for a user over the past month shows an average sentiment score of 0.8 or higher, when the algorithm processes sentiment data, then the user is included in the list of emerging high-performers.
Analyzing Peer Endorsement Patterns
Given a user receives endorsements from at least three unique peers within a two-week period, when the algorithm aggregates endorsement data, then the user is marked as a trending recognition star.
Surface Trending Appreciation Themes
Given the frequency of appreciation themes (e.g., teamwork, leadership) increases by at least 30% in the weekly data, when the algorithm identifies theme trends, then those themes are highlighted in the newsletter.
Generate Weekly Digest Entries
Given the algorithm compiles flagged rising stars and trending themes, when the weekly newsletter is generated, then it includes at least five rising stars and three trending themes in the Spotlight Beacon digest.
Engagement Analytics Dashboard
"As an HR analyst, I want to view engagement metrics for our weekly newsletters so that I can measure impact and adjust content strategy for better results."
Description

Develop an analytics dashboard within PulseBoard that tracks newsletter performance metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and section-specific engagement. The dashboard should display historical trends, comparative benchmarks, and allow administrators to export data for further analysis.

Acceptance Criteria
Newsletter Performance Metrics Display
Given an administrator accesses the Engagement Analytics Dashboard within 5 minutes after newsletter dispatch, when the ‘Performance Metrics’ section loads, then it displays the open rate and click-through rate for the latest weekly newsletter and the previous four weeks.
Section-Specific Engagement Breakdown
Given an administrator selects a specific newsletter section filter, when the filter is applied, then the dashboard displays the click count and click-through rate for that section for the selected week.
Historical Trends Visualization
Given an administrator views the ‘Trends’ tab, when the last six months of newsletter data are loaded, then a line chart displays the weekly open rate and click-through rate with correctly labeled time intervals.
Comparative Benchmark Analysis
Given an administrator navigates to the ‘Benchmarks’ section, when the dashboard loads organization-wide benchmarks, then it highlights the current week’s open rate and click-through rate compared against the benchmark with percentage difference indicators.
Data Export Functionality
Given an administrator clicks the ‘Export Data’ button, when the download is initiated, then a CSV file containing date, open rate, click-through rate, and section-specific engagement for the selected timeframe is generated and downloaded within 3 seconds.
User Subscription Management
"As a team member, I want to manage my newsletter subscriptions and choose which recognitions I receive so that I only get relevant and timely updates."
Description

Build a preferences center that allows users to opt in or out of the Spotlight Beacon newsletter, select which teams or topics they want to follow, and update delivery frequency. Preferences should sync with the scheduling and delivery module to ensure accurate targeting.

Acceptance Criteria
Newsletter Opt-In Process
Given a logged-in user on the preferences center When the user toggles the Spotlight Beacon Newsletter subscription to "On" Then the system saves the preference, displays a confirmation message “You have successfully subscribed to the Spotlight Beacon Newsletter,” and adds the user to the active subscriber list
Newsletter Opt-Out Process
Given a logged-in user on the preferences center When the user toggles the Spotlight Beacon Newsletter subscription to "Off" Then the system saves the preference, displays a confirmation message “You have successfully unsubscribed from the Spotlight Beacon Newsletter,” and removes the user from the active subscriber list
Team and Topic Selection
Given a user is subscribed to the Spotlight Beacon Newsletter When the user selects or deselects specific teams and topics in the preferences center and clicks "Save Preferences" Then the system updates the user’s subscription filters so that only content matching selected teams and topics appears in their weekly digest
Delivery Frequency Adjustment
Given a user is subscribed to the Spotlight Beacon Newsletter When the user selects a delivery frequency option (Daily, Weekly, Monthly) and saves the change Then the system applies the new frequency setting immediately and schedules the next newsletter according to the selected interval
Preference Synchronization with Delivery Module
Given a user updates any subscription preference When the user saves changes Then the preferences center sends an update event to the scheduling and delivery module within 2 minutes, and the delivery module confirms receipt and accuracy of the updated preferences via API

BadgeForge

Automatically crafts custom digital badges based on the nature of each kudos—such as ‘Innovation Hero’ or ‘Team Builder.’ Users earn and collect these badges on their profiles, gamifying recognition, reinforcing positive behaviors, and motivating continuous engagement.

Requirements

Badge Template Management
"As an HR lead, I want to define and customize badge templates so that recognition badges reflect our company’s branding and specific achievement categories consistently."
Description

Provide an interface for administrators to create, edit, and manage reusable badge templates that include title, icon, description, and visual style. Templates should support customizable metadata fields such as recipient role, date criteria, and color scheme. Changes to templates propagate automatically to all future badge issuances, ensuring consistency and branding alignment across the organization.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Badge Template
Given an administrator navigates to the Badge Template Management interface When the administrator clicks “Create Template” and enters a title, selects an icon, provides a description, and chooses a visual style Then the system saves the new template to the database And the new template appears in the template list with correct title, icon, description, and style
Editing an Existing Badge Template
Given an administrator selects an existing badge template from the list When the administrator updates one or more fields (title, icon, description, visual style, or metadata) And clicks “Save Changes” Then the system persists the updated values And the template list displays the updated template with all changes
Applying Metadata to a Badge Template
Given an administrator is creating or editing a badge template When the administrator adds or modifies metadata fields (recipient role, date criteria, color scheme) And saves the template Then the system stores the metadata configuration with the template And the metadata fields appear correctly in the issuance form for future badge assignments
Visual Style Customization Preview
Given an administrator customizes the color scheme, icon, or style settings in the template editor When the administrator clicks the “Preview” button Then the system displays an accurate, real-time preview of the badge with the selected style attributes
Propagation of Template Changes
Given an administrator updates an existing badge template When new badges are issued after the update Then the issued badges use the latest template definition And badges issued before the update remain unchanged
Badge Criteria Configuration
"As a team manager, I want to set criteria for earning badges so that awards are granted automatically based on performance indicators I define."
Description

Allow managers to configure rules and thresholds that trigger badge awards, such as number of kudos received or specific keywords in praise messages. Include a rule builder UI with logical operators (AND/OR), threshold sliders, and preview functionality. Configured criteria should be version-controlled and auditable.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring a kudos count threshold
Given the manager is on the Badge Criteria Configuration page When they select 'Number of kudos received' as the rule type and adjust the threshold slider to 5 Then the system updates the rule preview pane to show users with ≥5 kudos And upon saving, the rule is persisted with a new version entry in the audit log
Creating a keyword-based badge rule
Given the manager is creating a new badge rule When they choose 'Keyword in message' filter, enter 'leadership', and select the AND operator Then the rule builder displays a successful validation message And saving the rule triggers storage of the keyword filter and operator in version control
Combining multiple rule conditions
Given the manager has configured two conditions: kudos count ≥3 AND keyword 'innovative' When they save the composite rule Then only kudos meeting both conditions trigger badge awards And the system reflects the composite logic in the rule summary
Previewing badge awards before saving
Given the manager has defined badge criteria When they click the 'Preview' button Then the system fetches current team kudos data, applies the criteria, and displays a list of qualifying team members And the preview results match real-time data without persisting the rule
Auditing and restoring badge configuration versions
Given multiple saved versions of badge criteria exist When the manager navigates to the version history tab Then the UI lists each version with ID, timestamp, and change description And selecting a version and clicking 'Restore' makes it the active rule set
Automatic Badge Assignment
"As a remote employee, I want to receive my badge immediately after I meet the recognition criteria so that I feel acknowledged without delay."
Description

Implement backend logic to evaluate kudos submissions in real time against configured criteria and automatically assign the appropriate custom badge to the recipient’s profile. Ensure scalability to handle large teams and low-latency updates so that badges appear within seconds of meeting criteria.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Badge Assignment Upon Kudos Submission
Given a kudos submission is received, when the backend logic evaluates the submission, then the appropriate badge must be assigned to the recipient’s profile within 5 seconds.
Correct Badge Type Based on Kudos Content
Given a kudos message containing a configured keyword or tag (e.g., “innovation”), when processed, then the system assigns the corresponding custom badge (e.g., “Innovation Hero”) without errors.
Handling High Volume Kudos Submissions
Given a burst of 1000 kudos submissions per second, when processed concurrently, then the system maintains an average processing time of under 50ms per submission and zero dropped assignments.
Low-Latency Profile Update
Given a badge assignment event, when completed, then the recipient’s profile and dashboard reflect the new badge within 2 seconds.
Service Recovery and Badge Assignment Consistency
Given a temporary backend service outage during kudos processing, when the service is restored, then all queued submissions are processed and badges are accurately assigned within 1 minute, with no duplicates or omissions.
Badge Display & User Profile Integration
"As a team member, I want to view my collection of earned badges on my profile so that I can track my achievements and showcase my contributions."
Description

Integrate badges into user profiles with a dedicated section displaying earned badges, timestamps, and related kudos details. Include filtering, sorting, and hover-over tooltips explaining each badge. Ensure the design is responsive and consistent with the PulseBoard dashboard UI.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Earned Badges on User Profile
Given a logged-in user navigates to their profile section 'Badges', when the profile loads, then all badges the user has earned are displayed with their respective images, titles, and timestamps.
Filtering and Sorting Badges
Given the user is on the 'Badges' section of their profile, when they select a filter by date or badge type or sort by newest first or alphabetical order, then the badge list updates to reflect the selected filter and sort order.
Hovering for Badge Tooltip Details
Given the user hovers over any badge icon in their profile, then a tooltip appears showing badge name, description, date awarded, and related kudos details, and the tooltip disappears when the user moves the cursor away.
Responsive Badge Display on Mobile and Desktop
Given the user views their profile on screens of varying sizes, when the viewport width changes, then the badge section adapts layout (e.g., grid on desktop, list on mobile) while maintaining readability and alignment with PulseBoard UI standards.
Badge Section Integration with Dashboard UI
Given the user is on the PulseBoard dashboard, when they access their profile badge section from the dashboard menu, then the badge section blends seamlessly with dashboard styling, fonts, colors, and navigation patterns.
Badge Notifications & Sharing
"As an employee, I want to receive a notification and have the option to share my new badge so that I can celebrate my achievements with colleagues."
Description

Create in-app notifications and email alerts to inform recipients when they earn a badge. Provide social sharing options within PulseBoard for recipients to share their new badges to team channels or external social networks. Include customizable notification templates.

Acceptance Criteria
In-App Badge Notification Display
Given a user earns a badge, when they log into PulseBoard within 5 minutes, then an in-app notification appears in the notification center with the badge name, badge icon, and a link to view more details.
Email Badge Alert Delivery
Given a user earns a badge, when the badge event is triggered, then an email is sent to the user's registered email address within 10 minutes containing the badge name, description, and a link to view their badge collection.
Social Media Sharing of Badge
Given a user views their newly earned badge, when they click the social sharing button, then the system opens a pre-populated sharing dialog for Slack and Twitter containing the badge image, title, and link, and the user can post successfully.
Team Channel Badge Sharing
Given a user clicks to share their badge to a team channel within PulseBoard, when they select a team and channel from the dropdown, then the badge is posted in the selected channel feed within 5 seconds, including badge image, title, and user name.
Custom Notification Template Application
Given an admin has configured a custom notification template for badges, when a badge is earned, then both in-app notifications and emails use the admin’s custom template text with dynamic fields correctly populated.

Product Ideas

Innovative concepts that could enhance this product's value proposition.

VibePulse Alerts

Instantly notify managers when a team’s mood dips below threshold, triggering automatic check-in prompts to head off disengagement.

Idea

Heatmap Horizon

Display a color-coded, time-based heatmap of team moods across projects, revealing engagement patterns at a glance.

Idea

Challenge Cheers

Launch weekly, gamified well-being challenges that award badges and public recognition for positive mood contributions.

Idea

MicroJournal Spark

Offer three-word daily journals alongside mood check-ins, giving context-rich insights with minimal user effort.

Idea

Kudos Cascade

Automate peer-to-peer shout-outs that broadcast appreciation company-wide, amplifying recognition and boosting morale.

Idea

Press Coverage

Imagined press coverage for this groundbreaking product concept.

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PulseBoard Revolutionizes Remote Team Well-Being with Live Morale Insights

Imagined Press Article

New York, NY, 2025-06-01 – PulseBoard, the leading platform for remote team morale management, today announces its official launch, delivering unprecedented real-time insights into team emotional health. By combining one-click mood check-ins with dynamic dashboards and AI-driven analytics, PulseBoard empowers managers and HR leaders to spot disengagement the moment it begins, take immediate action, and continuously strengthen team well-being. Traditional survey approaches often result in delayed, surface-level feedback that misses critical moments when team morale dips. PulseBoard replaces these outdated methods with live sentiment tracking and contextual intelligence, giving organizations the tools they need to cultivate a connected, resilient workforce. At the heart of PulseBoard is its seamless mood check-in feature, which invites individual contributors to share their emotional status in one click. Responses feed into a centralized, color-coded heatmap that visualizes collective sentiment across projects, departments, and timeframes. Real-time alerts notify managers when a team’s mood crosses a critical threshold, triggering tailored outreach prompts that guide empathetic conversations and rapid support. Complementary features like Context Snapshot surface recent events influencing morale—planned product launches, tight deadlines, or company-wide announcements—so leaders understand root causes and address issues with targeted interventions. “Remote work has transformed how teams collaborate, but maintaining emotional connection at a distance remains a major challenge,” said Jordan Rivers, CEO and co-founder of PulseBoard. “We designed PulseBoard to bring emotional intelligence into every manager’s toolkit. Live insights replace guesswork, and AI-driven recommendations help leaders act swiftly and humanely. This is more than a survey tool—it’s a comprehensive solution for sustaining trust, engagement, and productivity in distributed teams.” Early adopters praise PulseBoard’s impact on team dynamics. Predictive Paula, an HR specialist at InnovateTech, leveraged PulseBoard’s Smart Threshold feature to anticipate morale dips before project milestones and deploy wellbeing resources proactively. “We used to discover disengagement after it had already affected performance,” Ms. Paula explained. “With PulseBoard, our team lead received an alert when sentiment dropped, connected one-on-one with affected members, and turned potential burnout into renewed motivation. We’ve seen a 20% uptick in sustained engagement and a smoother collaboration environment.” PulseBoard also supports strategic decision making for senior leadership. Aggregated trend reports provide Data Insight Seekers with a high-level view of organizational morale, informing resource allocation, policy modifications, and cultural initiatives. Advanced filters let executives isolate performance by region, department, or project phase—enabling evidence-based investments in coaching programs, professional development, and recognition systems. The platform is available immediately in scalable packages for teams of all sizes. Subscription tiers range from a Essentials Plan for growing startups to an Enterprise Plan with advanced features like Escalation Chain, Silent Push notifications, and customized integration with HRIS solutions. Pricing is based on user count and includes onboarding support, user training, and ongoing customer success services. PulseBoard is delivered via secure cloud infrastructure, adheres to industry-leading data privacy standards, and integrates seamlessly with collaboration tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom. Looking ahead, PulseBoard is expanding its AI capabilities with a pipeline of enhancements that include more granular mood forecasting, automated sentiment-driven coaching templates, and deeper integrations with performance management systems. The product roadmap also features new community-driven features to foster peer support networks and celebrate team milestones in more creative ways. About PulseBoard PulseBoard is the market’s first live morale management platform designed for remote and hybrid workforces. Combining one-click mood check-ins, dynamic visualizations, and AI-powered recommendations, PulseBoard delivers actionable emotional insights that help leaders sustain high engagement, reduce turnover, and build resilient, high-performing teams. Founded in 2024 and headquartered in New York City, PulseBoard serves hundreds of customers across technology, finance, healthcare, and professional services sectors. Media Contact: Taylor Morgan Director of Communications, PulseBoard press@pulseboard.com (555) 123-4567

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PulseBoard Unveils Predictive Pulse AI to Proactively Safeguard Remote Team Engagement

Imagined Press Article

San Francisco, CA, 2025-06-01 – PulseBoard, the pioneering platform for real-time team morale management, today announced the launch of Predictive Pulse, a new AI-driven feature designed to forecast future dips in team sentiment before they occur. By combining historical mood data, project timelines, and contextual markers, Predictive Pulse equips managers and HR professionals with predictive insights that enable proactive interventions, reducing burnout and disengagement in distributed work environments. Traditional engagement tools rely on periodic surveys that capture sentiment only after issues have manifested, often too late to reverse negative trends efficiently. Predictive Pulse leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze patterns in daily mood check-ins and external factors—such as project deadlines, team size changes, and company events. The resulting forecasts are overlaid on PulseBoard’s intuitive heatmap, revealing potential areas of concern days or weeks in advance and empowering leaders to launch targeted support initiatives at the optimal moment. “Proactivity changes the game in team well-being,” said Dr. Rina Kapoor, Chief Technology Officer at PulseBoard. “Predictive Pulse bridges the gap between data collection and meaningful action. By forecasting morale trajectories, managers can anticipate challenges and engage with their teams when it counts, rather than reacting to crises after they’ve taken hold. This innovation transforms our platform from a real-time monitor into a forward-looking partner in employee success.” Predictive Pulse features a comprehensive dashboard that highlights top risks, expected timing of dips, and recommended interventions customized for each team’s unique baseline and historical patterns. The system automatically generates targeted check-in templates—courtesy of PulseBoard’s Check-In Templates feature—prompting managers to reach out with contextual questions designed to surface root causes and show genuine empathy. Additionally, the Forecast Overlay tool enables side-by-side comparison of predicted and actual sentiment trends, allowing leaders to refine their engagement strategies based on real-world outcomes. “Our pilot program with tech-driven companies revealed remarkable results,” commented Alicia Monroe, Senior HR Lead at NextWave Solutions, one of the early adopters of Predictive Pulse. “We identified a looming engagement decline tied to a major product launch two weeks before our previous surveys would have caught it. Using PulseBoard insights, we adjusted workloads, offered flexible schedules, and organized a quick team-building session. The result was a 15% improvement in morale during a critical phase, which we attribute directly to the predictive alerts.” Beyond sentiment forecasting, Predictive Pulse integrates seamlessly with PulseBoard’s existing suite of features. For example, when a predicted dip crosses a critical threshold, the Escalation Chain feature can automatically route alerts to senior leadership or HR business partners, ensuring visibility at the right level. Managers receive Silent Push notifications on their devices even outside business hours, enabling timely outreach without unnecessary disruptions. With Predictive Pulse, PulseBoard customers can: - Anticipate emerging challenges in distributed teams before negative sentiment spreads - Tailor well-being initiatives with data-backed recommendations - Track the efficacy of proactive interventions through sentiment comparisons - Integrate forecasting alerts with existing workflows and communication channels Pricing for Predictive Pulse is included in PulseBoard’s Enterprise Plan and available as an add-on for Growth Plan subscribers. All customers can access dedicated training resources, best practices playbooks, and ongoing technical support to optimize adoption. About PulseBoard PulseBoard is the first live morale management platform built for modern remote and hybrid teams. By combining instant mood check-ins, dynamic visualizations, and AI-driven recommendations, PulseBoard delivers actionable insights that foster engagement, reduce turnover, and promote psychological safety. Founded in 2024, PulseBoard is headquartered in San Francisco and serves a diverse global client base across technology, financial services, healthcare, and professional services industries. Media Contact: Jordan Lee VP of Product Marketing, PulseBoard media@pulseboard.com (415) 987-6543

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PulseBoard Introduces Kudos Cascade to Amplify Peer Recognition Across Hybrid Teams

Imagined Press Article

Chicago, IL, 2025-06-01 – PulseBoard, the leading platform for remote team morale management, today unveiled Kudos Cascade, an innovative peer recognition feature that amplifies appreciation across organizational channels. Kudos Cascade automatically broadcasts peer-to-peer compliments and shout-outs company-wide, transforming everyday acknowledgments into collective morale boosters that strengthen remote and hybrid team bonds. Employee recognition has long been proven to drive engagement, increase retention, and improve performance. However, in distributed environments, genuine appreciation can be lost in fragmented communication channels or buried in private messages. Kudos Cascade solves this challenge by capturing individual shout-outs within PulseBoard’s app and cascading them through a unified stream that surfaces live appreciation across dashboards, email digests, and integrated collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. “Kudos Cascade elevates recognition from a private moment to a public celebration,” said Serena Torres, Chief People Officer at PulseBoard. “When someone’s contribution is noticed and broadcast organization-wide, it not only validates the recipient but also inspires others to engage in positive behaviors. This ripple effect fosters a culture of gratitude and mutual support that’s vital for maintaining engagement in remote settings.” Kudos Cascade works in conjunction with PulseBoard’s Cascade Stream feature, which provides a real-time dynamic feed of all recognitions. Internal filters allow teams to spotlight specific projects, achievements, or themes—such as innovation, collaboration, or leadership—by grouping related acknowledgments into focused ‘ripple’ events. Managers can customize broadcast rules, selecting channels and audiences for each recognition category. Meanwhile, BadgeForge automatically generates custom digital badges—like “Innovation Hero” or “Team Catalyst”—that awardees collect on their profiles, creating a gamified environment that celebrates small wins and fosters friendly competition. “After rolling out Kudos Cascade, we saw a 30% increase in recognition activity within the first month,” shared Marcus Nguyen, Director of People Operations at BrightView Analytics. “What’s more impressive is the energy shift: employees comment on each other’s kudos, comment threads turn into mini-peer support sessions, and we’ve noticed more spontaneous collaboration as a result of heightened visibility into each other’s efforts.” PulseBoard’s multi-channel integration capabilities ensure every shout-out reaches its intended audience. The Amplify Connect module synchronizes recognitions across email newsletters, intranet homepages, and team chat platforms, eliminating manual copy-and-paste tasks. Leaders use the Kudos Map interactive visualization to explore recognition networks, discover hidden influencers, and identify cross-team collaboration hotspots. Spotlight Beacon, a new weekly newsletter feature, curates top shout-outs, rising stars, and trending recognition themes to keep positive momentum alive. With Kudos Cascade, PulseBoard customers gain: - Centralized visibility into peer-to-peer recognition across dispersed teams - Automated broadcasting of shout-outs through multiple internal channels - Customizable rules and filters to highlight key achievements and themes - Gamified badges and leaderboards that incentivize ongoing appreciation - Analytics on recognition networks for strategic insight and resource planning Kudos Cascade is available today as part of PulseBoard’s Growth Plan and above. PulseBoard customers can access setup guides, integration tutorials, and best practice templates through the PulseBoard Knowledge Center. Dedicated customer success managers are on hand to support deployment and help organizations maximize the impact of peer recognition programs. About PulseBoard PulseBoard is the industry’s first live morale management platform tailored to remote and hybrid workforces. By uniting instant mood check-ins, AI-driven insights, and recognition tools, PulseBoard enables leaders and teams to build resilient, engaged cultures regardless of location. Established in 2024 and headquartered in Chicago, PulseBoard partners with organizations in technology, finance, healthcare, and professional services to drive sustainable well-being solutions. Media Contact: Evan Richards Head of Public Relations, PulseBoard press@pulseboard.com (312) 555-7890

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