Employee Engagement Software

PulseCheck

Spot Burnout Before It Starts

PulseCheck gives HR managers at fast-growing tech companies real-time visibility into employee sentiment through instant, AI-driven micro-surveys in Slack and Teams. It uncovers early signs of disengagement and burnout, delivering actionable insights that empower managers to boost morale and cut turnover before problems escalate.

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PulseCheck

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 organizations everywhere to build thriving, resilient teams through instant, actionable insight into employee engagement and wellbeing.
Long Term Goal
By 2027, empower 10,000 companies to cut employee burnout rates by 25% and boost engagement scores into the top quartile using real-time sentiment insights.
Impact
PulseCheck increases survey response rates by 30%, enabling HR managers at fast-growing tech companies to detect early signs of disengagement and burnout, leading to a 20% reduction in employee turnover and measurable gains in team morale within six months.

Problem & Solution

Problem Statement
HR managers at fast-growing tech companies struggle to identify early signs of employee disengagement and burnout because traditional surveys are infrequent and suffer from low response rates, leaving leadership unable to react before costly turnover occurs.
Solution Overview
PulseCheck delivers real-time, AI-powered micro-surveys directly in Slack and Teams, giving HR leaders instant visibility into team sentiment and emerging burnout risks. Intuitive dashboards surface actionable trends, enabling managers to proactively address issues before disengagement leads to turnover.

Details & Audience

Description
PulseCheck gives HR leaders instant visibility into team sentiment with real-time, AI-driven micro-surveys. Designed for managers at growing companies, it uncovers early signs of disengagement and burnout before they become costly problems. One-click pulse campaigns embedded in Slack and Teams drive exceptional response rates, surfacing actionable morale trends that guide immediate, effective action.
Target Audience
HR managers and team leads (30-50) at fast-growing tech companies needing instant, actionable engagement insights.
Inspiration
Sitting in a Monday standup, I watched a star developer quietly withdraw, her energy fading unnoticed by everyone—until her resignation landed without warning. HR’s last engagement survey was six months old, a dusty snapshot. That loss made me realize managers needed a way to sense and address burnout as it happened, not after the damage was done. PulseCheck was born from that urgency.

User Personas

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

C

Cautious Steve

- 42-year-old HR director at a 500-person SaaS firm - MBA in Organizational Psychology from State University - Manages 5 HR staff with $100K annual tools budget - Based in Austin, Texas; hybrid work schedule - 15 years’ experience in technology sector HR

Background

After past survey vendors overpromised, he led a failed suggestion-box launch. He’s now risk-averse and insists on proven ROI for new engagement tools.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Clear ROI metrics for new engagement tools 2. Assurance of data security and compliance 3. Easy integration without workflow disruption

Pain Points

1. Unreliable past surveys eroded his trust 2. Complex setup strains scarce IT resources 3. Pressure for quick results conflicts careful evaluation

Psychographics

- Demands solid data before tool adoption - Prefers cautious, incremental change - Skeptical of flashy, unproven tech - Values measurable ROI and risk mitigation

Channels

1. LinkedIn InMail – professional networking 2. HR.com newsletters – industry updates 3. Slack HR channels – peer discussions 4. Gartner webinars – in-depth research 5. TechCrunch alerts – tech news

R

Roaming Rita

- 35-year-old remote team lead at a 50-person nonprofit tech startup - Bachelor’s in Communications; self-taught project manager - Oversees cross-functional teams in US, EU, and APAC - Fully remote; travels monthly for team retreats - Coordinates volunteer and paid staff

Background

Previously managed in-office teams but struggled with dispersed staff morale. After a failed Skype-only check-in, she seeks real-time sentiment tools to bridge time zones.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Instant, time-zone-aware feedback pulses 2. Clear visuals of engagement by region 3. Mobile-friendly surveys for on-the-go teams

Pain Points

1. Blind spots due to asynchronous communication 2. Disconnected team members feel out of loop 3. Scheduling surveys across time zones is painful

Psychographics

- Obsessed with team cohesion across distances - Values transparency and instant collaboration - Driven by empathy and cultural sensitivity - Worries about team isolation

Channels

1. Slack channels – daily check-ins 2. Zoom video – real-time discussions 3. Microsoft Teams – shared collaboration 4. WhatsApp group – on-the-go updates 5. Trello boards – task tracking

R

Regulatory Claire

- 50-year-old Chief Privacy Officer at a regulated finance firm - Master’s in Data Protection Law - 20 years’ experience in legal and compliance - Manages a team of 3 auditors - Based in London with global oversight

Background

After auditing a major data breach, she championed GDPR compliance. A failed vendor led her to demand end-to-end encryption and detailed audit logs.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. End-to-end encryption with GDPR certification 2. Comprehensive audit logs for every survey 3. Role-based access controls and permissions

Pain Points

1. Unsecured tools risk hefty regulatory fines 2. Fragmented data creates audit and compliance gaps 3. Slow vendor responses hamper swift compliance reviews

Psychographics

- Demands airtight data privacy safeguards - Prioritizes risk avoidance above all else - Insists on full audit trail visibility - Values vendor reliability and transparency

Channels

1. GRC conferences – networking events 2. Internal security Slack – policy discussions 3. Email briefings – executive updates 4. LinkedIn GRC groups – expert advice 5. Vendor webinars – product security deep-dives

T

Training Tara

- 28-year-old L&D manager at a 200-person fintech company - BSc in Instructional Design; certified coach - Oversees annual training budget of $50K - Coordinates global workshops across four offices - Based in Toronto with hybrid schedule

Background

After rolling out an LMS with poor feedback loops, she struggled to prove training ROI. She now demands real-time sentiment to iterate content quickly.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Immediate learner feedback post-workshop 2. Visual dashboards for training effectiveness 3. Customizable question templates per module

Pain Points

1. Low survey response after training sessions 2. Difficulty linking feedback to performance metrics 3. Slow content iteration hinders learner engagement

Psychographics

- Obsessed with continuous learning improvements - Values data-driven training adjustments - Craves participant feedback after every session - Driven by measurable skill development

Channels

1. LinkedIn Learning – course trends 2. Slack training channels – participant queries 3. LMS announcements – course launches 4. Internal newsletter – program highlights 5. Training webinars – best practices

S

Scaling Sam

- 30-year-old People Ops lead at a 200-employee NYC startup - BBA in Organizational Behavior - $60K annual engagement tools budget - Leads recruitment and retention efforts - Onsite three days, remote two days

Background

After scaling teams from 50 to 200 in six months, he lost touch with early warning signs of burnout. He needs real-time sentiment to catch issues early.

Needs & Pain Points

Needs

1. Scalable surveys for growing headcount 2. Automated reminders to boost participation 3. Early-warning flags for disengaged hires

Pain Points

1. Manual surveys collapse under hiring surge 2. Missed disengagement signs lead to turnover 3. Siloed feedback slows proactive interventions

Psychographics

- Thrives on rapid scaling challenges - Values agility over bureaucracy - Seeks proactive engagement strategies - Wary of tools that slow growth

Channels

1. Slack integrations – instant pulses 2. Google Workspace alerts – summary emails 3. Twitter HR chats – industry trends 4. Startup meetups – networking events 5. HR tech newsletters – new product intel

Product Features

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

AutoPulse

Automatically schedules and launches brief sentiment polls at optimal moments based on your meeting agenda and real-time engagement signals, so you capture attendee mood without interrupting the flow.

Requirements

Optimal Scheduling Algorithm
"As an HR manager, I want the system to automatically schedule sentiment polls at the least intrusive moments during meetings so that I can capture accurate attendee mood without interrupting discussions."
Description

Automatically analyze meeting agendas and historical engagement patterns to identify the most opportune moments for launching micro-surveys. This ensures polls are delivered during natural discussion pauses or high engagement windows without disrupting the meeting flow. Integrates with calendar APIs for agenda retrieval and leverages engagement analytics from communication platforms to refine scheduling accuracy.

Acceptance Criteria
Calendar API Integration
Given a meeting with a valid calendar invite when the system retrieves the agenda via the calendar API then it parses all agenda items into discrete discussion segments with at least 95% accuracy
Historical Engagement Pattern Application
Given historical meeting engagement data when analyzing past attendance, chat activity, and reactions then the algorithm identifies the top 20% of time windows with highest engagement and schedules at least 80% of surveys within those windows
Real-Time Engagement Signal Monitoring
Given an active meeting when the system detects a sustained 10-second spike in chat messages or reactions then it schedules the micro-survey for launch within the next natural pause (≤5 seconds)
Identifying Natural Discussion Pauses
Given a live transcript when the system detects a silence or lack of transcript activity for 7 seconds then it triggers the survey launch within 2 seconds of pause detection
Non-Disruptive Poll Delivery
Given a scheduled survey launch when delivering the survey to Slack or Teams then the survey appears in-channel without interrupting screen share, audio, or ongoing presentations and logs a successful delivery event
Real-time Engagement Sensing
"As a team lead, I want the system to sense when participants are most engaged so that polls are launched when respondents are most likely to provide thoughtful feedback."
Description

Collect and analyze live engagement signals—including chat activity, emoji reactions, speaking time, and optional camera-based posture analytics—to assess participant attentiveness. These real-time metrics trigger AutoPulse to launch polls precisely when engagement levels peak, maximizing response rates and feedback quality.

Acceptance Criteria
Chat Activity Spike Detection
Given a meeting in progress with baseline chat activity recorded, when the number of chat messages per minute increases by 50% above baseline, then AutoPulse must trigger a sentiment poll within 10 seconds to the meeting channel.
Emoji Reaction Surge
Given participants are using emoji reactions, when the count of unique emoji reactions in the last two minutes exceeds 20, then AutoPulse must automatically launch a micro-survey within 5 seconds.
Speaker Silence Analytics
Given speaking time data is captured per participant, when more than 70% of participants have speaking time under 1 minute over a 10-minute window, then AutoPulse triggers a poll to assess potential disengagement.
Camera-based Posture Change Detection
Given camera-based posture analytics is enabled, when posture deviation from upright position is detected in over 50% of participants for more than 2 minutes, then AutoPulse must schedule a poll within 5 seconds.
Multi-Signal Engagement Peak
Given multiple engagement signals are monitored, when chat activity, emoji reactions, and speaking time all concurrently exceed their respective thresholds within a 1-minute window, then AutoPulse must fire a poll immediately to capture peak sentiment.
Agenda Integration Interface
"As an IT admin, I want to integrate our corporate calendars so that AutoPulse can automatically retrieve meeting details for precise poll scheduling."
Description

Provide a unified interface to connect with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook APIs, allowing AutoPulse to fetch meeting details such as agendas, durations, and participant lists. Standardize disparate calendar formats into a consistent data model to power the scheduling engine and maintain data integrity.

Acceptance Criteria
Calendar Connection Establishment
Given valid user credentials, when the user initiates a calendar connection for Google Calendar, then the system completes an OAuth 2.0 handshake successfully and stores access and refresh tokens. Given valid user credentials, when the user initiates a calendar connection for Microsoft Outlook, then the system retrieves and securely stores the necessary OAuth tokens without error.
Meeting Data Retrieval
Given a connected calendar account, when the system requests meetings for a specified date range, then it retrieves all meetings including title, start time, end time, participant list, and description. The retrieval operation must return at least 95% of meetings within 2 seconds under normal network conditions.
Data Normalization Compliance
Given meetings fetched from Google Calendar and Outlook, when the data mapping process runs, then each meeting is transformed into the standard data model containing meetingId, title, startTime (ISO 8601), endTime (ISO 8601), participants (array of emails), and agenda. No fields may be dropped or corrupted during normalization.
Error Handling and Integrity
Given an API error or malformed meeting record, when retrieval or normalization occurs, then the system logs the error, skips the faulty record, continues processing remaining data, and surfaces a notification summarizing skipped items and reasons.
Multi-Account Event Merging
Given multiple calendar accounts connected by a single user, when events are fetched, then the system aggregates events from all accounts, assigns each event an accountId, and merges duplicates (same meetingId) into a single record preserving the earliest creation timestamp.
Poll Customization Options
"As an HR specialist, I want to customize poll questions and appearance so that surveys reflect our company’s tone and address specific feedback goals."
Description

Enable users to define and manage default poll templates—including question types (e.g., Likert scales, multiple-choice, emoji ratings), frequency settings, and branding elements—while preserving AutoPulse's automated timing capabilities. Provide a UI for editing question sets and visual styles to align with organizational standards.

Acceptance Criteria
Defining Default Poll Templates
Given the user navigates to the Poll Customization page, When they create and save a new default poll template with specified question types, frequency settings, and branding elements, Then the template appears in the list of default templates and is marked as active for AutoPulse.
Customizing Question Types
Given the user edits an existing default poll template, When they add, remove, or reorder question types (Likert scale, multiple-choice, emoji ratings), Then the changes are reflected in both the template preview and all subsequent polls generated by AutoPulse.
Setting Poll Frequency
Given the user accesses frequency settings within a default poll template, When they specify interval-based or event-triggered frequency options, Then AutoPulse schedules polls according to these settings without requiring manual launch.
Applying Branding Elements
Given the user updates branding settings (logo, color palette, fonts) in a default poll template, When they save the template, Then all AutoPulse-generated polls display the updated branding in both Slack and Teams interfaces.
UI Editing of Question Sets and Visual Styles
Given the user uses the template editor UI, When they modify question text, visual styles, or layout options, Then the UI shows a real-time preview and persists the changes upon user confirmation.
Silent Launch Controls
"As a meeting facilitator, I want polls to launch silently so that they don’t distract participants with notification sounds during critical discussions."
Description

Implement controls to deliver polls silently by muting notification sounds and using unobtrusive UI cues across Slack and Teams. Allow per-channel and per-meeting-type toggles to ensure polls do not disrupt ongoing discussions, giving meeting facilitators flexibility over notification behavior.

Acceptance Criteria
Default Silent Launch Activation
Given AutoPulse is enabled with silent launch as default, when a poll is launched in Slack or Teams, then no notification sounds play and a subtle UI indicator appears without interrupting the conversation.
Per-Channel Silent Notification Toggle
Given the facilitator has disabled silent launch for a specific channel, when a poll is launched in that channel, then the standard notification sound plays and the regular poll banner is displayed.
Meeting-Type Based Mute Settings
Given the facilitator has set silent launch for ‘Stand-Up’ meeting types, when AutoPulse schedules a poll during a stand-up, then the poll launches silently; and when scheduled in other meeting types without silent launch, then audible notifications occur.
Unobtrusive UI Cues Across Teams
Given a silent poll launch in Microsoft Teams, when the poll appears, then there are no pop-ups or banners; instead, a minimal badge notification is shown on the chat icon.
Real-Time Toggle Adjustment During Meeting
Given a meeting is in progress, when the facilitator toggles silent launch on or off, then the next poll respects the updated setting for notification sounds and UI cues immediately.

Sentiment Stream

Overlays a live, color-coded graph of mood fluctuations directly within your video call interface, allowing hosts to spot engagement peaks and dips at a glance and adjust discussion pace accordingly.

Requirements

Real-time Sentiment Data Ingestion
"As an HR manager, I want live sentiment data from micro-surveys so that I can adjust meeting pace immediately based on current mood."
Description

Implement a streaming pipeline that captures and processes micro-survey responses within 5 seconds of submission. The system should normalize and aggregate sentiment scores in real time, ensuring minimal latency between employee input and UI display. This involves building backend connectors to Slack and Teams APIs, a scalable processing layer with message queues, and a data store optimized for quick reads. The outcome is up-to-the-second sentiment insights that empower hosts to make timely adjustments.

Acceptance Criteria
Response Latency in Active Call
Given a micro-survey response is submitted via Slack or Teams, when it enters the streaming pipeline, then it must be processed and stored within 5 seconds of submission.
Normalized Sentiment Scoring
Given multiple raw sentiment scores from micro-survey responses, when aggregated in real time, then normalized scores must be calculated correctly into a range of –1 to +1 and reflect the correct average sentiment.
High-volume Traffic Handling
When the system ingests up to 10,000 responses per minute, then message queues must process all events without loss and maintain end-to-end latency below 5 seconds.
API Connector Recovery
Given the Slack or Teams API returns a transient error, when the connector retries the request, then it must attempt up to three retries with exponential backoff and log any failures after the final retry.
Low-Latency UI Update
When normalized sentiment data becomes available in the data store, then the UI layer must reflect updated sentiment stream values within 2 seconds of data arrival.
Live Color-Coded Mood Graph Overlay
"As a meeting host, I want to see color-coded sentiment graphs directly in my video call so that I can quickly spot engagement changes without leaving the call."
Description

Design and develop a front-end component that overlays a dynamic, color-coded graph of aggregated sentiment scores onto the video call interface. The overlay must render smoothly at 30fps, use green/yellow/red gradients to indicate engagement levels, and automatically adjust its position to avoid obstructing video content. It should be responsive across different resolutions and compatible with major video clients’ embedding frameworks.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-time Rendering Smoothness
When the user is in an active video call, the overlay updates at a consistent 30 frames per second with no more than 2 dropped frames per minute.
Color Gradient Accuracy
Sentiment values above 0.7 must display as green, between 0.3 and 0.7 as yellow, and below 0.3 as red, verified by color-contrast tests against design specs.
Overlay Auto-positioning
If the overlay overlaps key video regions (e.g., participant faces), it automatically repositions within 100 milliseconds to avoid obstruction.
Cross-resolution Responsiveness
On display resolutions ranging from 1280x720 to 3840x2160, the overlay scales proportionally without pixelation or misalignment, verified in UI regression testing.
Embedding Framework Compatibility
Integration with Zoom SDK, Microsoft Teams, and a custom WebRTC client completes successfully without UI errors or layout breakage.
Video Platform Integration SDK
"As an IT administrator, I want an easy integration mechanism for major video platforms so that our organization can deploy Sentiment Stream without custom development."
Description

Provide a single SDK package and plugin framework supporting Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex. The SDK should handle authentication flows, permission requests, and context injection to seamlessly embed the Sentiment Stream overlay. Include developer documentation, sample apps, and automated tests to simplify installation and configuration. Ensure compatibility with upcoming API changes and provide versioning guidelines.

Acceptance Criteria
SDK Initialization Flow
Given the SDK is installed and configured with valid credentials When the application starts Then the SDK initializes successfully within 2 seconds and emits an 'initialized' event without errors.
OAuth Authentication Flow in Microsoft Teams
Given a user is prompted to authenticate When they complete the OAuth consent screens Then the SDK receives and stores an access token and refresh token securely and emits an 'authenticated' event.
Permission Request Handling in Zoom
Given the SDK detects the user has not granted required permissions When the overlay is about to render Then the SDK automatically prompts the user for permission and proceeds only after confirmation.
Context Injection in Webex
Given an active Webex meeting When the SDK is invoked Then the SDK correctly retrieves meeting context (meeting ID, participant list) and passes it to the Sentiment Stream overlay within 100ms.
Developer Documentation and Sample App
Given a developer accesses the SDK repository When they follow the installation guide Then they can run the sample app end-to-end without errors and view the Sentiment Stream overlay in a compatible video platform.
Customization and Filtering Options
"As a meeting host, I want to filter sentiment data by department so that I can focus on my team’s engagement."
Description

Enable meeting hosts to customize the sentiment overlay by filtering data by team, department, or demographic attributes. Provide controls to adjust refresh intervals (e.g., 5s, 15s, 30s), threshold levels for color changes, and options to hide minor fluctuations. Persist user preferences across sessions and ensure the UI for customization is intuitive and accessible within the video client.

Acceptance Criteria
Filtering Sentiment Data by Organizational Unit
Given the host opens the customization panel in the video client When the host selects a specific department (e.g., Engineering) Then the sentiment overlay displays only data points from the Engineering department And no data from other departments appears on the graph
Adjusting Refresh Intervals During Live Meetings
Given the customization panel is open during an active call When the host sets the refresh interval to 15 seconds Then the sentiment overlay updates at 15-second intervals within a ±1-second variance And the selected interval remains active until the host changes it
Setting Color Thresholds for Major Sentiment Changes
Given the host adjusts the threshold sliders for sentiment levels When sentiment scores cross the newly defined thresholds Then the overlay colors change according to the host’s configuration And the colors revert appropriately when scores move back within thresholds
Hiding Minor Fluctuations to Focus on Significant Trends
Given the host enables the “Hide minor fluctuations” option When sentiment changes remain below the defined fluctuation threshold (e.g., 2%) Then the overlay does not reflect these minor changes And only significant sentiment shifts are displayed
Persisting Customization Preferences Across Sessions
Given the host configures filters, intervals, thresholds, and hide options When the host ends the meeting and later starts a new session Then the video client automatically loads the previously saved customization settings And the customization panel reflects the host’s last used preferences
Data Privacy and Compliance
"As a data privacy officer, I want sentiment data to be anonymized and aggregated so that individual employees cannot be identified."
Description

Implement privacy safeguards by anonymizing individual survey responses and only displaying aggregated sentiment data. Ensure compliance with GDPR and CCPA by providing data retention policies, user consent flows, and audit logs. Encrypt data in transit and at rest, enforce role-based access controls, and conduct regular privacy impact assessments to maintain legal and ethical standards.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Anonymized Sentiment Graph
Given a host initiates a video call with Sentiment Stream enabled When sentiment data is collected Then the system shall anonymize individual responses and display only aggregated sentiment data on the color-coded graph
Presenting Data Retention Policy
Given a user navigates to privacy settings When the data retention section is accessed Then the system shall display GDPR- and CCPA-compliant retention durations and automated deletion schedules
Managing User Consent Flow
Given a new participant is invited to a micro-survey When the consent prompt appears Then the participant must explicitly grant consent before any data collection begins and the consent record shall be stored
Ensuring Encryption In Transit and At Rest
Given sentiment data is transmitted between client and server When data is in transit or stored at rest Then the system shall use TLS 1.2+ for transport encryption and AES-256 for data at rest
Enforcing Role-Based Access Control
Given user roles are defined in the PulseCheck admin console When a user attempts to view raw or aggregated sentiment data Then the system shall restrict access according to role permissions configured by an administrator
Accessibility and Performance Optimization
"As an accessibility coordinator, I want the sentiment overlay to support high-contrast and screen readers so that all participants can benefit from the feature."
Description

Ensure the overlay meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards by supporting high-contrast modes, keyboard navigation, and screen reader announcements for sentiment changes. Optimize resource usage so the overlay consumes less than 5% CPU on host devices and does not degrade video quality or call stability. Conduct performance testing across diverse hardware profiles and document accessibility best practices.

Acceptance Criteria
High Contrast Mode Activation
Given a user has enabled high-contrast mode in their video call interface settings, when the Sentiment Stream overlay appears, then all sentiment colors must meet a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 against their background.
Keyboard Navigation for Sentiment Overlay
Given a user is using keyboard navigation, when they press the Tab key while in the video call interface, then focus must move sequentially through Sentiment Stream controls and pressing Enter must activate or open tooltips for sentiment peaks and dips.
Screen Reader Announcement on Sentiment Change
Given a user is using a screen reader, when sentiment levels change on the overlay, then an appropriate live region announcement must be made detailing the new sentiment state (positive, neutral, negative).
CPU Usage Under Threshold During Call
Given a host device with average hardware specifications, when the Sentiment Stream overlay is active for a 60-minute call, then CPU utilization attributable to the overlay must remain below 5% of total CPU capacity.
No Video Quality Degradation in Low-Bandwidth Environments
Given a simulated network bandwidth of 1 Mbps, when the Sentiment Stream overlay is enabled during a video call, then video frame rate and resolution must not drop by more than 10% compared to calls without the overlay.

Alert Cue

Sends discreet notifications to the host when participant sentiment falls below a customizable threshold, prompting immediate actions—like switching topics or asking for input—to re-energize the group.

Requirements

Threshold Configuration
"As an HR manager, I want to customize the sentiment threshold so that alerts reflect my team’s unique engagement baseline."
Description

Allows hosts to set customizable sentiment thresholds via the settings panel in Slack and Teams integrations. Hosts can specify a percentage (e.g., below 60%) or a numeric sentiment score for triggering alerts. This ensures that Alert Cue sensitivity aligns with each team’s engagement baseline, reducing false positives and enabling proactive intervention when participant sentiment dips.

Acceptance Criteria
Accessing Threshold Settings
Given a host is in the PulseCheck settings panel in Slack or Teams, when the host navigates to the Alert Cue configuration section, then the threshold configuration options (percentage slider and numeric input) are visible and selectable.
Configuring Percentage-Based Threshold
Given a host selects the percentage threshold option, when the host inputs a value between 1% and 100%, then the value is accepted and displayed as the active threshold without errors.
Configuring Numeric Sentiment Score Threshold
Given a host selects the numeric sentiment score option, when the host inputs a valid score within the system’s range (e.g., 0 to 10), then the value is accepted and displayed as the active threshold without validation errors.
Persisting Threshold Settings Across Sessions
Given a host has configured a threshold in one session, when the host logs out and logs back in or accesses the settings from a different device or channel (Slack/Teams), then the previously set threshold value is loaded and displayed correctly.
Triggering Alert on Threshold Breach
Given participant sentiment data is received in real time, when the average sentiment falls below the configured threshold, then an Alert Cue notification is sent to the host within 5 seconds.
Sentiment Monitoring Engine
"As an HR manager, I want real‐time monitoring of sentiment so that I receive immediate insights when engagement falls."
Description

Continuously analyzes live micro‐survey responses in real time, evaluating aggregated sentiment scores against configured thresholds. Integrates with the PulseCheck AI engine to ensure accurate scoring, instant detection of engagement dips, and minimal processing latency to enable timely host notifications.

Acceptance Criteria
Threshold Breach Notification Trigger
Given the sentiment monitoring engine receives aggregated sentiment scores, When the score falls below the configured threshold, Then it must immediately generate a notification to the host via Slack or Teams within 5 seconds.
Accurate Sentiment Scoring against Baseline
Given a set of sample responses with known sentiment values, When processed by the sentiment monitoring engine, Then the aggregated sentiment score must match the PulseCheck AI engine's benchmark score within ±2% accuracy.
AI Engine Integration Validation
Given a live micro-survey response stream, When the sentiment monitoring engine forwards data to the PulseCheck AI engine, Then it must receive and process sentiment scores from the AI engine without data loss or errors.
Low Latency Processing Under Load
Given a peak load scenario of 500 concurrent survey responses per second, When processed by the sentiment monitoring engine, Then end-to-end processing latency from response reception to notification must not exceed 2 seconds.
Custom Threshold Configuration Enforcement
Given a host sets a new sentiment threshold via the PulseCheck UI, When the configuration is saved, Then the sentiment monitoring engine must apply the updated threshold to subsequent sentiment evaluations immediately.
Discreet Notification Delivery
"As an HR manager, I want discreet in‐app notifications so that I’m alerted without interrupting the meeting flow."
Description

Sends unobtrusive notifications to the host’s Slack or Teams client when the sentiment threshold is breached. Notifications appear as native chat messages or adaptive cards, ensuring minimal meeting disruption while alerting hosts promptly to take corrective action.

Acceptance Criteria
Slack Native Notification
Given the host’s Slack client is active and the meeting is in progress, when the sentiment score falls below the configured threshold, then a native Slack message must appear in the host’s Direct Messages containing the meeting name, current sentiment score, threshold value, and a link to the PulseCheck dashboard.
Teams Adaptive Card Notification
Given the host’s Microsoft Teams client is active and the meeting is in progress, when the sentiment score falls below the configured threshold, then an adaptive card must be sent to the host’s chat with the meeting name, current sentiment score, threshold value, alert icon, and a link to the PulseCheck dashboard.
Respect Do Not Disturb Settings
Given the host has enabled Do Not Disturb on Slack or Teams, when a sentiment alert is triggered, then the notification must be queued and delivered immediately after Do Not Disturb is disabled, without any loss of data.
Custom Threshold Alert Setting
Given the host has updated the sentiment threshold in the PulseCheck settings, when the new threshold is saved, then future sentiment breaches must trigger notifications only when the real-time score falls below the newly configured threshold.
Localized Notification Content
Given the host’s Slack or Teams client language is set to a supported locale, when a sentiment alert is delivered, then the notification content must be localized according to the client’s language preferences.
Action Prompt Generation
"As an HR manager, I want actionable suggestions when an alert triggers so that I can quickly re‐energize the group."
Description

Automatically generates context‐aware suggestions alongside alerts, such as switching discussion topics, asking open‐ended questions, or initiating a short break. Leverages AI to tailor prompts based on current discussion content and historical meeting data, equipping hosts with immediate next steps to re‐energize participants.

Acceptance Criteria
Low Sentiment Trigger Occurs
Given participant sentiment score falls below the configured threshold During an active meeting When the system generates an alert Then the AI engine shall provide at least three context-aware action prompts within 5 seconds.
Relevant Topic Suggestion
Given the meeting discussion transcript contains a dominant topic When generating prompts Then the AI should suggest a related subtopic or question that aligns with the current theme and has been used successfully in at least 80% of similar past meetings.
Historical Context Integration
Given historical meeting data is available for the meeting participants When crafting a prompt Then the AI shall incorporate one relevant past discussion point or participant preference in the prompt to personalize the suggestion.
Open-Ended Question Generation
Given the host chooses to ask an open-ended question When the system proposes prompts Then at least one suggested prompt must be phrased as an open-ended question starting with "what", "how", or "why" and be under 20 words.
Break Prompt Generation
Given participant engagement remains low for over 5 minutes When generating prompts Then the AI shall suggest a short break including a time recommendation and a simple group activity idea.
Alert Logging & Analytics
"As an HR manager, I want a record of all alerts and actions so that I can analyze trends and improve team engagement strategies."
Description

Logs every alert event with timestamp, sentiment scores, host actions taken, and subsequent sentiment changes. Stores data in the PulseCheck analytics dashboard, enabling trend analysis, performance reporting, and continuous improvement of meeting strategies over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Alert Event Logging
Given an alert is triggered with sentiment score below threshold, When the alert event occurs, Then the system logs the event with timestamp, sentiment scores, host ID, and initial host action in the analytics database; And within 2 seconds, the log entry appears in the PulseCheck dashboard under 'Recent Alerts'.
Sequential Alerts Trend Analysis
Given multiple alerts occur during a meeting, When reviewing the analytics dashboard, Then the system aggregates sentiment scores and host actions over time, displaying trend graphs for the session; And the data matches logged events within a 1% margin of error.
Host Action Correlation Reporting
Given alert events and subsequent host actions are logged, When generating a host correlation report, Then the report shows changes in sentiment score after each action with timestamps; And highlights actions that resulted in a positive increase in sentiment by at least 5%.
Historical Dashboard Data Export
Given a date range is selected, When the user exports alert logs, Then the system provides a CSV file containing timestamp, original sentiment, host action, and post-action sentiment for all events in the range; And the file downloads successfully within 30 seconds.
Data Retention Compliance Check
Given retention policy settings are configured to 12 months, When attempting to retrieve logs older than 12 months, Then the system returns no results and displays a message 'Data expired as per retention policy'; And all logs within retention period are retrievable.

QuickMote

Provides one-click emoji buttons for attendees to express real-time reactions (e.g., 👍, 🤔, 🙌), enriching feedback without disrupting the conversation and fostering a more interactive experience.

Requirements

Real-Time Reaction Interface
"As an attendee, I want to quickly send an emoji reaction so that I can express my feedback without interrupting the flow of the meeting."
Description

Embed a set of clickable emoji buttons directly within the Slack and Teams meeting UI, allowing attendees to react instantly to ongoing discussions without switching context. The interface should follow platform design guidelines, load quickly alongside chat messages, and send reaction events seamlessly to PulseCheck’s backend for aggregation. This feature enhances engagement by lowering the barrier to feedback and ensures real-time sentiment capture without interrupting the conversation flow.

Acceptance Criteria
Emoji Buttons Load Timely
Given a user opens a Slack or Teams meeting chat When the meeting UI loads Then the QuickMote emoji buttons must appear within 2 seconds of chat messages loading
Seamless Reaction Event Transmission
Given a user clicks an emoji button When the click event is fired Then a POST request containing user ID, emoji identifier, timestamp, and meeting ID is sent to the PulseCheck backend and returns HTTP 200
Design Guideline Compliance
Given the embedded emoji interface in Slack or Teams Then all buttons must adhere to the platform’s design guidelines for size, color, font, spacing, and accessibility as per specification v1.0
High-Concurrency Reaction Handling
Given multiple users (≥10) click emoji buttons within a 5-second window Then the system must receive, process, and aggregate all reaction events without loss or duplication and update the real-time sentiment counts accordingly
Offline and Retry Mechanism
Given the user loses network connectivity immediately after clicking a reaction Then the client must queue the reaction locally and retry sending every 30 seconds until success or until 5 minutes have elapsed
Custom Emoji Selection
"As an HR manager, I want to choose which emojis participants can use so that reactions match our team culture and session objectives."
Description

Allow organizers to configure and customize the set of emoji reactions available for a session. This includes selecting default emojis, adding custom icons, and setting reaction limits per meeting. The selection UI should be intuitive and integrated into the PulseCheck admin dashboard, ensuring that the emojis align with the session’s tone and participants’ preferences. Customization enhances relevance and keeps reactions meaningful to diverse team cultures.

Acceptance Criteria
Admin Configures Default Emoji Set
Given the admin is on the QuickMote emoji customization page, when they select 5 default emojis and click save, then the system persists these emojis as the default set for all new sessions.
Organizer Adds Custom Emoji Icon
Given the organizer is on the custom emoji tab, when they upload a PNG or SVG file under 50KB and assign it a label, then the icon appears in the emoji list and is available for session reactions.
Organizer Sets Reaction Limits
Given the organizer is configuring a meeting, when they set a maximum of X reactions per user and save, then participants cannot submit more than X reactions and see a notification when the limit is reached.
Admin Navigates Emoji Configuration Interface
Given the admin is on the PulseCheck dashboard, when they open the QuickMote emoji configuration interface, then the page loads within 2 seconds, displays drag-and-drop ordering, and shows tooltips for each action.
Participants Access Customized Emojis
Given a session has custom emojis configured, when participants open the reaction picker during a live session, then they see only the customized set and can select any emoji without errors.
Reaction Data Aggregation
"As a manager, I want to see aggregated reaction data so that I can understand participant sentiment and identify engagement trends."
Description

Collect, store, and aggregate all emoji reactions in real time, presenting counts and trends in the PulseCheck analytics dashboard. The system should group reactions by emoji type, timestamp, and user segments, enabling managers to identify peaks in sentiment and correlate reactions with meeting topics. Data must be securely stored, compliant with privacy regulations, and readily available for reporting and alerts.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Reaction Capture During Meetings
Given a user clicks an emoji in Slack or Teams during an active meeting When the reaction is sent to the backend Then the reaction is recorded in the database with correct emoji type, user ID, meeting ID, and timestamp within 2 seconds
Aggregation of Reactions by Emoji Type
Given multiple emoji reactions have been recorded for a meeting When the analytics dashboard loads Then the total count for each emoji type is displayed accurately and matches the stored reaction records
Visualization of Reaction Trends Over Time
Given a user selects a meeting and date range on the dashboard When the trend chart is rendered Then the chart displays reaction counts by emoji type for each time interval within the selected range without missing or duplicated data
Filtering Reaction Data by User Segment
Given user segments are defined (e.g., department or role) When a manager applies a user segment filter on the dashboard Then only reactions from users in the selected segment are shown and all metrics update accordingly
Secure Storage and Privacy Compliance
Given reaction data is stored in the database When data at rest is accessed Then data is encrypted and access control policies are enforced to comply with privacy regulations and generate audit logs
Cross-Platform Consistency
"As an attendee, I want consistent emoji reaction behavior whether I’m on Slack or Teams so that I don’t have to learn different interfaces."
Description

Ensure the QuickMote feature behaves identically across Slack and Teams, accounting for each platform’s API limitations and UI conventions. Implement fallback handling for unsupported scenarios, such as mobile clients or older app versions, to gracefully degrade functionality. Maintain consistent look-and-feel, reaction delivery timing, and error messaging across platforms, providing a uniform user experience regardless of environment.

Acceptance Criteria
Desktop Reaction Delivery Timing Consistency
Given a user on the Slack desktop app, when they click an emoji reaction button, then the reaction is delivered and visible to all channel members within 1 second.
Mobile Client Fallback Handling
Given a user on an unsupported or outdated Slack mobile client, when they tap an emoji reaction button, then the button is disabled and a non-blocking message ‘Reaction not supported on this version’ is displayed.
Teams Desktop UI Consistency
Given a user on the Teams desktop app, when they click an emoji reaction button, then the reaction appears with identical styling, placement, and animation timing as on Slack.
Unsupported Teams Mobile Version Fallback
Given a user on an older Teams mobile version, when they attempt to send an emoji reaction, then the option is grayed out and a tooltip ‘Upgrade app to use reactions’ is shown.
Error Messaging Uniformity Across Platforms
Given a reaction delivery failure on either Slack or Teams, when the error occurs, then the user sees the message ‘Unable to send reaction. Please try again.’ styled consistently on both platforms.
Accessibility Support
"As a participant using assistive technology, I want to navigate and use the emoji reactions so that I can fully engage in the meeting session."
Description

Design the emoji reaction interface to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, including keyboard navigation, screen reader labels, and sufficient color contrast. Provide alternative text for each emoji, ensure reaction buttons are focusable and operable without a mouse, and include ARIA roles for assistive technologies. Accessibility compliance broadens participation and demonstrates PulseCheck’s commitment to inclusive design.

Acceptance Criteria
Keyboard Navigation Support
Given the user navigates the emoji reaction interface using only the keyboard, When the user presses Tab, Then each emoji button receives focus in a logical order with a visible focus indicator; When Enter or Space is pressed on a focused emoji button, Then the corresponding reaction is submitted.
Screen Reader Compatibility
Given a screen reader is active, When focus enters an emoji reaction button, Then the screen reader announces the emoji description, its role as a button, and its selection state (e.g., “thumbs up, button, selected”).
Color Contrast Compliance
All emoji reaction buttons and their focus indicators must maintain a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 against their background in both default and focus states, per WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines.
Emoji ALT Text Availability
Each emoji reaction button must include an alt text or aria-label describing the reaction (e.g., “clapping hands reaction”), and this text must be programmatically accessible.
ARIA Role Implementation
Each emoji reaction element must use role="button" and include an aria-pressed attribute that toggles between true and false to reflect the selected state when the user activates the button.

Echo Insight

Aggregates optional text feedback submitted during dips in sentiment, then uses AI to surface common themes and suggestions, giving hosts deeper context for why engagement changed.

Requirements

Feedback Collection Module
"As an HR manager, I want to gather optional qualitative feedback whenever sentiment dips so that I can understand the reasons behind engagement changes."
Description

Implement a backend service that triggers optional text feedback prompts whenever a user’s sentiment score dips below a threshold, captures their responses asynchronously via Slack and Teams, stores them securely, and links them to the corresponding sentiment event to ensure context is preserved and ready for analysis.

Acceptance Criteria
Sentiment Dip Detection
Given a user's sentiment score falls below the configured threshold, when the backend service processes the score, then a feedback prompt is triggered in the user's Slack or Teams client within 60 seconds.
Feedback Prompt Delivery
Given the feedback prompt is triggered, when the user is active in the target messaging platform, then the prompt appears as a direct message with the correct branding, message text, and an input field for feedback.
Asynchronous Response Capture
Given a user submits feedback in Slack or Teams, when the send action is confirmed, then the service receives the feedback asynchronously and returns an acknowledgment message to the user.
Secure Storage of Responses
Given feedback is received by the backend, when storing the response, then the feedback text is encrypted at rest, linked to its corresponding sentiment event ID, and stored in the secure database.
Context Preservation
Given an administrator retrieves a sentiment event, when querying the backend, then the response includes the original sentiment score, timestamp, and any linked feedback text for full context.
Text Feedback Interface
"As an employee, I want an easy and private way to provide feedback when I feel disengaged so that my input contributes to improving workplace wellbeing without fear of exposure."
Description

Design and develop interactive prompts within Slack and Teams that solicit optional text feedback, ensuring a seamless, non-intrusive user experience that encourages candid responses; include validation, character limits, and anonymous submission options to respect privacy and data integrity.

Acceptance Criteria
Feedback Prompt Display Triggered in Slack After Low Sentiment Response
Given a user completes a sentiment survey in Slack and the response indicates low engagement, when the survey widget closes, then an interactive text feedback prompt is automatically displayed without requiring additional commands.
Feedback Prompt Character Limit Enforcement in Teams
Given a user types feedback longer than 250 characters in the Teams feedback prompt, when additional characters are entered, then the input field prevents further typing and displays "250/250 characters".
Anonymous Submission Option Visibility and Selection
Given the feedback prompt is displayed in Slack or Teams, when the user views the prompt, then an 'Submit Anonymously' toggle is visible, defaulted to ON, and the user can toggle it before submission.
Input Validation for Whitespace-Only Feedback
Given a user enters only whitespace characters in the feedback prompt, when they attempt to submit, then the submit button is disabled and an inline error message 'Please enter valid feedback or skip' is shown.
Feedback Submission Confirmation and Data Integrity
Given a user submits valid feedback with or without anonymity selected, when the server acknowledges receipt, then the user sees a confirmation message, and the feedback is stored with correct metadata (timestamp, channel, anonymous flag).
Theme Extraction Engine
"As an HR analyst, I want to automatically identify common themes in employee comments so that I can quickly pinpoint the root causes of low morale."
Description

Build an AI-powered processing engine that analyzes collected text feedback using NLP techniques to identify recurring themes, keywords, and sentiment nuances; group related feedback into clusters, assign labels, and calculate frequency scores to surface the most common issues driving sentiment dips.

Acceptance Criteria
Submission of Text Feedback for Theme Extraction
Given a batch of user-submitted text feedback, when the Theme Extraction Engine processes it, then it should identify and cluster recurring themes, assign labels to each cluster, and calculate frequency scores for each theme within 2 seconds of submission.
Accuracy of Theme Labels
Given a set of feedback clusters created by the engine, when compared to human-reviewed labels, then the engine’s theme labels should match human labels with at least 80% accuracy across all tested datasets.
Frequency Score Calculation
Given processed feedback clusters, when calculating frequency scores, then each theme’s score must be accurately computed as the percentage of total feedback items it represents and must sum to 100% across all themes.
Visualization of Top Themes
Given the scored themes data, when displayed in the Echo Insight dashboard, then the top five themes must be shown in descending order by frequency score, with labels and scores clearly visible and correctly formatted.
Performance Under Load
Given a high-volume batch of 500 or more feedback entries, when processed by the engine under standard system load, then the engine must complete theme extraction, clustering, labeling, and scoring within 10 seconds without errors or timeouts.
Suggestion Generation Engine
"As a team lead, I want AI-driven suggestions that address my team's specific concerns so that I can take targeted actions to improve engagement."
Description

Leverage AI to generate actionable suggestions based on identified themes, drawing from best practices and company guidelines; ensure the engine provides clear, context-aware recommendations tailored to the specific issues uncovered in the feedback.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Theme Suggestion Generation
Given a single dominant feedback theme with at least five comments When the suggestion engine is invoked Then it returns at least three distinct, actionable suggestions explicitly referencing that theme
Multiple Theme Suggestion Prioritization
Given two or more prioritized feedback themes When the engine generates suggestions Then it produces up to five suggestions evenly distributed across the themes, ordered by theme priority, with each suggestion naming its corresponding theme
Context-Aware Recommendation Customization
Given identified themes and the company’s textual style guidelines When generating suggestions Then each suggestion uses the company’s tone and cites relevant guideline sections to ensure contextual appropriateness
Best Practice Compliance
Given a repository of best practices When suggestions are generated Then at least 80% of the returned suggestions align with entries in the best practice database and are tagged with the corresponding best practice identifier
Response Time Performance
Given a request for suggestions on up to three themes When the suggestion engine processes the request Then it returns the full set of suggestions within five seconds in at least 95% of performance test runs
Insights Dashboard Integration
"As an HR manager, I want to view combined sentiment metrics alongside detailed feedback themes and suggestions in one dashboard so that I can make data-driven decisions to boost team morale."
Description

Integrate the aggregated feedback themes and AI suggestions into the PulseCheck dashboard, creating interactive visualizations, filters, and drill-down capabilities so that HR managers can explore insights, track trends over time, and export reports for stakeholder communication.

Acceptance Criteria
Theme Visualization Upon Event Selection
Given an HR manager selects a sentiment dip event on the timeline, when the dashboard loads, then a bar chart displays the top 5 feedback themes with theme names, counts, and accompanying AI-generated suggestions.
Interactive Drill-Down into Feedback Themes
Given a feedback theme bar is clicked, when the detail pane opens, then a list of original feedback snippets for that theme appears alongside AI-suggested action items.
Trend Analysis Across Time Periods
Given the HR manager selects a custom date range, when applied, then the dashboard updates line charts to show theme frequency trends over time with daily granularity and highlights significant increases or decreases.
Exporting Insights Report
Given the HR manager clicks the export button, when executed, then a downloadable PDF report is generated containing chosen visualizations, trend charts, and AI-suggested action summaries for the specified period.
Filtering by Department or Team
Given the HR manager applies a department or team filter, when applied, then all visualizations, trend charts, and feedback snippets update to reflect only data from the selected group.

Compare Spotlight

Enables side-by-side comparison of current meeting sentiment trends against historical data from past sessions, revealing recurring engagement patterns and helping refine future meeting strategies.

Requirements

Data Aggregation Engine
"As an HR manager, I want to aggregate sentiment data from current and historical meetings so that I can compare trends accurately and make data-driven decisions."
Description

Retrieve, normalize, and store sentiment scores from both current and historical meetings conducted via Slack and Teams. Ensure data consistency by aligning metadata such as date, meeting type, and participant roles. Capable of handling large volumes of micro-survey responses and automatically updating the central sentiment datastore.

Acceptance Criteria
Current Meeting Sentiment Retrieval
Given a live meeting in Slack or Teams with micro-survey responses When the Data Aggregation Engine retrieves data Then all sentiment scores including timestamps are fetched within 5 minutes of session end
Historical Meeting Data Fetch
Given stored historical meeting data in the central datastore When the engine queries for past session records Then it returns complete sets of sentiment scores and associated metadata in under 10 seconds
Sentiment Data Normalization
Given raw sentiment scores from multiple sources When the engine processes these scores Then it normalizes score scales to a unified 1-5 rating and maps user identifiers to unique participant IDs with 100% accuracy
Metadata Alignment
Given metadata fields from Slack and Teams meetings When the engine aligns and merges data Then it ensures date, meeting type, and participant roles match the predefined schema without mismatches or duplicates
Bulk Response Handling
Given a volume of over 10,000 micro-survey responses When the engine ingests this data Then it completes processing and storage within 2 minutes without failures or performance degradation
Automated Central Datastore Update
Given new sentiment and metadata processed When the engine completes processing Then it automatically updates the central datastore within 1 minute and logs the update status successfully
Visualization Module
"As an HR manager, I want to view current and past meeting sentiment side by side so that I can quickly spot engagement patterns."
Description

Design and implement an interactive side-by-side comparison interface that displays current meeting sentiment trends alongside historical data. Include line and bar charts with tooltips, color-coding for positive/negative sentiment, and the ability to toggle between different visualization types. Ensure seamless integration with the PulseCheck dashboard.

Acceptance Criteria
Comparison of Current and Historical Sentiment Trends
Given a valid meeting session is selected, when the visualization loads, then display line charts side-by-side showing current session sentiment trend and historical sentiment trend for the same meeting type with aligned axes and identical scales.
Toggle Between Visualization Types
Given the comparison charts are displayed, when the user toggles the visualization type control, then switch the charts between line and bar views within 500ms, preserving the same data sets and axis scales.
Tooltip Detail on Hover
Given the user hovers over any data point, then display a tooltip showing timestamp, sentiment score, and sample size, and hide the tooltip when the cursor moves away.
Color-Coding of Sentiment Values
Given the sentiment data is plotted, then apply green color for positive values, red for negative values, and gray for neutral values consistently across both charts as per the PulseCheck design guidelines.
Seamless Integration with PulseCheck Dashboard
Given the user navigates to the PulseCheck dashboard and selects Compare Spotlight, then load the visualization module within the dashboard container, inherit the dashboard theme, and ensure no layout shifts occur.
Filtering & Segmentation
"As an HR manager, I want to filter sentiment comparisons by specific criteria so that I can focus on relevant segments."
Description

Provide flexible filtering controls that allow users to segment sentiment comparisons by date range, team/department, meeting type, and participant demographics (e.g., role, location). Filters should dynamically update both data and visualizations to focus analysis on specific subsets of meetings.

Acceptance Criteria
Date Range Filter Application
Given a user sets a start date and an end date on the date range filter, when the filter is applied, then the comparison dashboard shall display only data and visualizations for meetings that occurred within the specified date range.
Team/Department Segmentation
Given a user selects one or more teams or departments from the segmentation control, when the selection is confirmed, then the dashboard data and charts shall update dynamically to include only meetings involving those teams or departments.
Meeting Type Filter
Given a user chooses a meeting type (e.g., one-on-one, group, all-hands) from the meeting type filter dropdown, when the filter is activated, then the sentiment comparison view shall refresh to show data exclusively for meetings of the selected type.
Participant Role Demographics Segmentation
Given a user selects participant roles (e.g., manager, engineer, sales) from the demographics filter, when the filter is applied, then the system shall限制 the displayed sentiment trends to meetings where at least one participant matches the selected roles.
Combined Multi-Filter Interaction
Given a user applies multiple filters simultaneously (date range, team, meeting type, demographics), when the combined filters are executed, then the dashboard shall display and visualize only the subset of meeting data that meets all selected filter criteria, updating within two seconds.
Trend Analytics & Insights
"As an HR manager, I want the system to highlight significant changes in sentiment compared to historical norms so that I can identify issues early."
Description

Implement algorithms to detect statistically significant deviations between current and historical sentiment trends. Surface automated insights such as recurring dips in engagement or spikes in positive feedback, and generate explanatory annotations and recommendations for managers to refine meeting strategies.

Acceptance Criteria
Identifying Significant Sentiment Deviations
Given a meeting session with current sentiment scores and historical sentiment data, when the difference between the current average sentiment and the historical average exceeds a 10% threshold at a significance level of p<0.05, then the system flags the deviation as statistically significant.
Automated Insight Generation
Given a flagged sentiment deviation, when the system processes the data, then it generates at least one insight describing the nature of the deviation including percentage change and time context.
Explanatory Annotation Creation
Given a generated insight, when annotations are created, then they include the session date, deviation magnitude, participant count, and a brief explanation linking the deviation to possible engagement factors.
Recommendation Suggestion Accuracy
Given identified engagement patterns, when the system formulates recommendations, then it provides at least one actionable strategy aligned with the specific pattern and references past successful outcomes.
Dashboard Visualization of Trends
Given current and historical sentiment data, when displayed on the Compare Spotlight dashboard, then the chart shows both trend lines with correct time axes labels, tooltips for data points, and a legend distinguishing current versus historical data.
Real-time Data Synchronization
"As an HR manager, I want the sentiment comparison to refresh in real-time so that I always have the most current insights."
Description

Ensure near real-time ingestion and processing of new micro-survey responses so that sentiment comparisons reflect the latest meeting data. Implement incremental updates and caching strategies to minimize latency and maintain high performance in the Compare Spotlight feature.

Acceptance Criteria
New Survey Response Ingestion
Given a user submits a micro-survey response during a meeting, when the response is received by the ingestion service, then it should be available in the Compare Spotlight UI within 5 seconds of submission.
Incremental Update during Active Session
Given the Compare Spotlight view is open, when new survey data arrives, then only the delta of new responses is fetched and the sentiment comparison graph updates without reloading historical data within 2 seconds.
Cache Refresh under High Load
Given there is high concurrent demand (>1000 requests per minute), when users access the Compare Spotlight feature, then the system serves sentiment data from cache with average response times under 200ms and a cache hit rate of at least 95%.
Latency Monitoring Alert Trigger
Given the ingestion to UI propagation latency exceeds 10 seconds, when monitoring thresholds are breached, then an automated alert is sent to the DevOps channel with relevant metrics.
Data Consistency after Network Interruption
Given a temporary network failure, when the service resumes connectivity, then all missed survey responses during the outage are ingested and reflected in the Compare Spotlight within 10 seconds, ensuring no data loss.
Export & Reporting
"As an HR manager, I want to export comparison reports so that I can share findings with stakeholders."
Description

Enable users to export side-by-side sentiment comparisons and generated insights into PDF and Excel formats. Include customizable report templates, branding options, and the ability to schedule automated report deliveries to stakeholders.

Acceptance Criteria
Export PDF with Custom Branding
Given the user has applied company logo and color scheme in branding options, when the user selects 'Export to PDF' for a side-by-side sentiment comparison, then the system generates a downloadable PDF file within 10 seconds that includes the correct sentiment tables, charts, and the selected branding assets.
Export Comparison to Excel
Given the user views a side-by-side sentiment comparison, when the user selects 'Export to Excel', then the system provides a .xlsx file containing separate sheets for current and historical data, properly formatted headers, and accurate sentiment values matching the on-screen comparison.
Schedule Automated Report Delivery
Given the user has configured a delivery schedule and recipient list, when the scheduled time is reached, then the system automatically sends the latest comparison report in the chosen format (PDF or Excel) to the specified stakeholders and logs a confirmation of delivery.
Select and Apply Report Template
Given the user has created or selected a customizable report template, when exporting a comparison report, then the generated report strictly adheres to the template’s layout, placeholders are replaced with correct data, and the output matches the preview shown in the template editor.
Export with Custom Date Range
Given the user selects a custom historical date range before exporting, when the user initiates the export, then the report includes side-by-side comparisons for the specified date range and excludes data outside the selected window.

Risk Radar

Provides a real-time burnout risk score for each employee by analyzing micro-survey responses and usage patterns. Managers gain immediate visibility into individuals showing early signs of stress, enabling proactive, personalized support before issues escalate.

Requirements

Real-Time Burnout Score Computation
"As an HR manager, I want to see an up-to-the-minute burnout risk score for each employee so that I can identify and support individuals showing early signs of stress."
Description

Implement an AI-driven scoring engine that analyzes micro-survey responses and user interaction patterns in real time to calculate a burnout risk score for each employee. The engine must ingest survey data, usage metrics (e.g., response times, message frequency), and contextual factors (e.g., time of day, survey sentiment) to produce a dynamic score. This requirement ensures managers receive up-to-the-minute risk assessments, enabling proactive intervention before issues escalate.

Acceptance Criteria
Survey Data Ingestion
Given a new micro-survey response is submitted by an employee, When the scoring engine receives the data feed, Then the response is ingested into the processing pipeline within 5 seconds, validated for required fields, and logged without data loss.
Usage Metrics Collection
Given a user submits multiple Slack or Teams messages or survey answers, When usage events (response times, message counts) occur, Then the system captures and forwards these metrics to the scoring engine within 10 seconds and persists them reliably.
Contextual Factor Integration
Given a survey response with sentiment score and timestamp, When the scoring engine computes the burnout risk, Then it applies time-of-day weighting and sentiment analysis correctly, resulting in a score that reflects both response content and context.
Score Computation Accuracy
Given a set of standardized test inputs with known risk levels, When the scoring algorithm processes these inputs, Then the output risk scores match expected values within a 5% margin of error.
Dashboard Score Display
Given that a burnout risk score has been computed, When a manager views the Risk Radar dashboard, Then the displayed score for each employee matches the latest engine output and refreshes automatically every 30 seconds.
Personalized Alert Notifications
"As a team lead, I want to receive customized alerts when an employee’s risk score becomes critical so that I can reach out immediately with support."
Description

Create a notification system that sends personalized alerts to managers when an employee’s burnout risk score crosses defined thresholds. Alerts should be configurable by risk level (e.g., medium, high), delivery channel (Slack, Teams, email), and frequency. The system must include template customization and allow managers to set individual or team-based thresholds. This ensures timely, relevant notifications tailored to managerial preferences.

Acceptance Criteria
Alert Trigger at Medium Risk Threshold
Given a manager has set the medium-risk threshold at 60% When an employee’s risk score crosses from below 60% to 60% or above Then the system sends a personalized alert to the manager via the configured channel within 5 minutes
Notification Channel Selection
Given a manager has chosen Slack, Teams, or email as notification channels When an alert is triggered Then the system delivers the alert through all selected channels and logs delivery success for each
Template Customization for Alert Messages
Given a manager has customized the alert template with placeholders for employee name, risk score, and recommendation When an alert is generated Then the system populates and sends the alert using the customized template with correct data
Team-Based Threshold Alerts
Given a manager has defined a high-risk threshold for a specific team When any team member’s risk score exceeds the team threshold Then the manager receives a consolidated team alert listing affected employees within 10 minutes
Alert Frequency Configuration
Given a manager has set alert frequency to ‘once per score breach’ or ‘repeat every 24 hours’ When an employee’s risk score remains above the threshold Then the system sends alerts according to the selected frequency without duplicates
Interactive Risk Dashboard
"As an HR director, I want an interactive dashboard that shows team-level and individual risk trends so that I can quickly identify areas needing attention."
Description

Design and develop an interactive dashboard within the PulseCheck web app that visualizes burnout risk scores across teams and individuals. The dashboard should include filter, sort, and drill-down capabilities, heatmaps for risk distribution, and trend lines for individual employees. It must integrate with existing UI components and maintain performance under large datasets. This dashboard provides managers with a consolidated view for monitoring and comparison.

Acceptance Criteria
Filtering Burnout Risk by Team
Given the dashboard is loaded When the manager selects the "Team" filter and chooses "Engineering" Then only employees in the Engineering team are displayed with their risk scores
Sorting Employees by Risk Score
Given the employee list is visible When the manager clicks the "Risk Score" column header Then the list is sorted in descending order by default and toggles to ascending order on a second click
Drill-Down into Individual Employee Trends
Given an employee row is displayed When the manager clicks on the employee’s name Then a modal or panel appears showing the employee’s daily risk score trend for the past 30 days
Visualizing Risk Distribution via Heatmap
Given the heatmap view is selected When the dashboard loads Then each team cell is colored based on average risk score with a legend indicating low, medium, and high risk levels
Maintaining Dashboard Performance with Large Datasets
Given the dashboard contains 10,000+ employee records When the manager applies any filter or sort operation Then the response time is under 2 seconds and no UI blocking or errors occur
Benchmark and Trend Analysis
"As a data analyst, I want to compare current burnout scores with past performance and industry standards so that I can evaluate the effectiveness of our wellbeing initiatives."
Description

Develop a benchmarking module that compares current burnout risk scores against historical data and industry benchmarks. Include statistical analysis to identify significant deviations and long-term trends. The module must allow exporting of benchmark reports and integration with third-party analytics tools. This requirement helps organizations contextualize their data and measure improvement over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Comparing Current and Historical Burnout Risk Scores
Given a manager views an individual’s risk score dashboard, When they select the history toggle for the past 12 months, Then the system displays a line chart comparing current risk scores against historical data points at weekly intervals.
Benchmark Comparison Against Industry Standards
Given a manager requests industry benchmarks, When they choose an industry category and time frame, Then the system retrieves and displays average risk scores for that industry and highlights the organization’s position relative to those benchmarks.
Exporting Benchmark Analysis Reports
Given a manager clicks the 'Export Report' button, When they select file format (PDF or CSV) and date range, Then the system generates and downloads a report containing historical scores, industry benchmarks, and trend commentary.
Integration with Third-Party Analytics Tools
Given a manager configures an analytics integration, When they input valid API credentials and select data fields, Then the system successfully sends scheduled exports of benchmark data to the external analytics platform without errors.
Identifying Significant Trend Deviations
Given a manager enables deviation alerts, When the system detects a risk score change exceeding predefined thresholds over a continuous four-week period, Then an alert is generated and sent to the manager via email and in-app notification.
Data Privacy and Security Compliance
"As a compliance officer, I want to ensure that all employee sentiment data and risk scores are processed securely and in compliance with data protection regulations so that we safeguard employee privacy."
Description

Ensure all risk scoring and data handling processes comply with GDPR, CCPA, and relevant corporate security policies. Implement data encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access controls, and anonymization for aggregated reports. Conduct regular security audits and provide compliance documentation. This requirement protects employee privacy and maintains organizational trust.

Acceptance Criteria
At-Rest Data Encryption
Given employee data is stored at rest When data is saved Then AES-256 encryption must be applied and encryption keys are managed securely in a dedicated secrets vault
In-Transit Data Encryption
Given data is transmitted between client and server When micro-survey responses or risk scores are sent Then all data must be encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher
Role-Based Access Control Enforcement
Given a user attempts to access individual risk scores When user role is Manager or Admin Then access is granted and logged; Otherwise access is denied
Anonymization for Aggregated Reports
Given generation of aggregated risk reports When data is exported Then all employee identifiers must be pseudonymized or removed to prevent re-identification
Security Audit and Compliance Documentation
Given a scheduled security audit When audit is executed Then a report detailing encryption status, access control logs, and anonymization methods is generated and stored in the compliance repository

Team Thermal Map

Visualizes burnout risk levels across teams or departments with easy-to-read color gradients. This heatmap allows leaders to spot high-risk groups at a glance, prioritize interventions, and allocate resources where they’re needed most.

Requirements

Team Sentiment Data Aggregation
"As an HR manager, I want aggregated sentiment data by team so that I can view collective burnout risk levels accurately across my organization."
Description

Implement a robust backend service to collect, normalize, and aggregate individual employee sentiment scores from micro-surveys, grouping them by team and department. This service will integrate with existing AI sentiment analysis outputs, ensure data accuracy and consistency, support time-series calculations for trend analysis, and provide aggregated metrics via a secure internal API for the Thermal Map feature. Expected outcome: reliable, real-time sentiment data structured for visualization and analytics.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-time Sentiment Ingestion
Given a micro-survey sentiment result in JSON, when the backend service ingests it, then it normalizes the raw sentiment output to a 0–100 scale, stores it under the correct team and timestamp in the database within 2 seconds of receipt.
Normalization of Heterogeneous Scores
Given multiple sentiment entries across various channels in a 1-minute window, when the service aggregates them, then it computes the team's average sentiment score for that minute, ensuring deviation from manual calculation is ≤1%.
Time-Series Trend Calculation
Given a request for a 30-day sentiment trend for Team Alpha, when the API endpoint is called, then the service returns a list of 30 daily average sentiment scores in chronological order with no missing dates.
Concurrent Update Consistency
Given simultaneous ingestion requests for the same team from different micro-surveys, when processed concurrently, then no race conditions occur and the final stored average matches the sequential processing results.
Secure Aggregated Metrics API
Given an authenticated HR manager calls the GET /teams/{id}/sentiment endpoint with valid JWT, when the request is made, then the service returns the team's aggregated sentiment data over HTTPS within 500ms, with an HTTP 200 status and data formatted as JSON per schema.
Heatmap Visualization Component
"As an HR manager, I want a color-coded heatmap of teams so that I can quickly identify areas with high burnout risk."
Description

Develop a dynamic front-end component for rendering the Team Thermal Map, using color gradients to represent burnout risk levels across teams or departments. The component should fetch aggregated sentiment data from the API, map risk scores to a customizable color scale, display team labels and risk legends, and adapt responsively to various screen sizes within Slack and Teams interfaces. It should support hover or click for quick insights on each team, ensuring an intuitive and informative visual overview of employee wellbeing.

Acceptance Criteria
Dashboard Heatmap Rendering
Given aggregated sentiment data is available from the API when the component loads, when the user opens the Team Thermal Map, then the heatmap displays a colored cell for each team matching its risk score without missing or misaligned entries.
Color Scale Customization
Given a custom color threshold configuration is provided in settings, when the component applies these settings, then each team’s cell color on the heatmap reflects the updated thresholds accurately.
Responsive Display in Slack
When viewing the heatmap within the Slack interface on desktop (≥1024px width) and mobile (<480px width), then the component adapts its layout, font sizes, and cell spacing to maintain readability and usability without horizontal scrolling.
Interactive Team Detail Tooltip
Given the user hovers or clicks on a team’s heatmap cell, when the interaction occurs, then a tooltip displays within 300ms showing the team name, risk score, and key sentiment metrics.
Legend and Labels Accuracy
When the heatmap renders, then the legend displays correct color-to-risk-score mappings and each team label aligns precisely with its corresponding cell.
Interactive Filters and Drill-down
"As an HR manager, I want to filter the heatmap by department and date range so that I can analyze burnout trends in specific segments over time."
Description

Add interactive filtering options to the Thermal Map, allowing users to segment data by time period, department, location, or sentiment threshold. Enable drill-down capabilities so clicking on a team cell reveals detailed metrics, trend charts, and underlying survey responses. Ensure filters and drill-down UI elements are intuitive, performant, and maintain context when toggling between views, providing HR managers with flexible exploration of employee sentiment data.

Acceptance Criteria
Time Period Filter Application
Given the HR manager selects a predefined or custom time period filter, when the filter is applied, then the Thermal Map updates within 5 seconds to display data exclusively from the selected period, and the filter selection persists if the manager applies additional filters or drills down.
Department Filter Application
Given the HR manager selects one or more departments from the filter menu, when the filter is applied, then only the selected departments’ data appears on the Thermal Map, and the department filter remains active when switching to other filters or views.
Location Filter Application
Given the HR manager chooses a specific office location or geographic region, when the filter is applied, then the Thermal Map refreshes within 5 seconds to show only teams at the chosen location, and the location selection is retained during drill-down and when toggling other filters.
Sentiment Threshold Filter Application
Given the HR manager defines a sentiment score threshold, when the threshold filter is applied, then only teams with average scores above or below the specified threshold are displayed on the Thermal Map, and the threshold remains in effect when navigating between map and detail views.
Drill-down Detailed Metrics Display
Given the HR manager clicks on a team cell in the Thermal Map, when the drill-down is triggered, then a detail pane appears within 3 seconds showing the team’s average sentiment score, a 30-day burnout risk trend chart, and a paginated list of underlying survey responses, with a visible back button to return to the map.
Performance Under Concurrent Use
Given up to 100 concurrent HR managers are applying filters and drilling down, when actions are performed simultaneously, then each filter application or drill-down completes within 2 seconds, the UI remains responsive, and no errors or data inconsistencies occur.
Access Control & Permissions
"As a system administrator, I want to control who can view each team's heatmap so that employee sentiment data remains secure and confidential."
Description

Implement role-based access control for the Team Thermal Map, ensuring that only authorized HR managers and team leads can view the heatmap for their respective teams. Integrate with existing authentication systems (e.g., SSO), enforce permissions on backend API endpoints, and provide admin interfaces to assign or revoke access. The system must log access events for auditing and comply with data privacy requirements, safeguarding sensitive employee sentiment information.

Acceptance Criteria
HR Manager Views Own Team's Heatmap
Given an authenticated HR Manager assigned to Team A When they navigate to the Team Thermal Map Then they see the heatmap for Team A only with accurate color gradients
Team Lead Denied Access to Unauthorized Team
Given an authenticated Team Lead for Team B When they request the thermal map for Team C Then they receive a 403 Forbidden response
Admin Assigns Access Permissions
Given an Admin user When they grant view permissions to a Team Lead for Team D Then the Team Lead can successfully view the Team D heatmap after re-authentication
SSO Token Validation
Given a user attempts API access without a valid SSO token When they call the thermal map endpoint Then access is denied with a 401 Unauthorized response and no data is returned
Access Event Logging Verification
Given any user successfully views a team's heatmap When the access event occurs Then the system logs the event with timestamp, user ID, role, and resource accessed
Burnout Risk Threshold Alerts
"As an HR manager, I want to receive alerts when a team's burnout risk exceeds a critical level so that I can proactively intervene."
Description

Develop a threshold-based alerting mechanism that monitors aggregated team sentiment scores and triggers notifications when burnout risk crosses predefined levels. Allow HR managers to configure custom thresholds and notification channels (e.g., Slack message, email). The system should log alerts, provide contextual information linking back to the Thermal Map, and support alert acknowledgement and resolution tracking within the product.

Acceptance Criteria
Threshold Crossed Notification for High Risk Team
Given a team’s aggregated burnout risk score exceeds the configured threshold, When the system processes the latest sentiment data, Then it sends an immediate alert notification to all configured channels.
HR Manager Configures Custom Burnout Alert Threshold
Given the HR manager accesses the alert settings page, When they enter and save a custom burnout risk threshold within valid bounds (0–100), Then the system persists the new threshold and displays a confirmation message.
Alerts Sent via Configured Notification Channels
Given the HR manager has selected one or more notification channels, When an alert is triggered, Then the system sends the alert message to each selected channel (e.g., Slack, email) within two minutes.
System Logs Alert with Contextual Thermal Map Link
Given an alert is triggered, When the system creates the alert record, Then it logs the alert with timestamp, team or department identifier, current risk score, and a direct link to the corresponding location on the Thermal Map.
HR Manager Acknowledges and Resolves Alerts
Given an alert is visible in the alert dashboard, When the HR manager marks it as acknowledged or resolved, Then the system updates the alert status accordingly, records the username and timestamp of the action, and prevents further notifications for that alert.
Export & Reporting
"As an HR manager, I want to export the heatmap and underlying data so that I can include it in presentations and reports for leadership reviews."
Description

Create functionality to export the Team Thermal Map and associated data into common formats (PDF, PNG, CSV) and integrate with reporting dashboards. Ensure exports preserve visual fidelity of the heatmap and include metadata such as date ranges, filter settings, and team metrics. Provide scheduling options for automated report generation and distribution to stakeholders, enabling offline analysis and shareable insights.

Acceptance Criteria
Manual PDF Export of Team Thermal Map
Given an HR manager has applied filters and a date range to the Team Thermal Map page, when they select 'Export to PDF' and confirm, then a PDF file is downloaded within 10 seconds containing the heatmap with accurate color gradients, and includes metadata sections showing the selected date range, filter settings, and team metrics.
Manual PNG Export of Team Thermal Map
Given an HR manager views the Team Thermal Map with specific filters applied, when they choose 'Export to PNG' and initiate the export, then a PNG image file is generated within 5 seconds preserving the exact visual layout, color gradients, and dimensions of the heatmap, and is saved to the user's device.
CSV Data Export for Analytics
Given an HR manager is on the export options page, when they select 'Export to CSV' and confirm, then a CSV file is downloaded that includes columns for team name, burnout risk score, date range, filter settings, and timestamp, with UTF-8 encoding and properly labeled headers.
Scheduled Automated Report Generation
Given an HR manager schedules a weekly report for the Team Thermal Map in their account settings, when the scheduled time arrives, then the system automatically generates the report in the chosen format(s) and emails it to the designated stakeholders, logging the successful generation and delivery in the system audit.
Dashboard Integration via API
Given an external reporting dashboard is configured with valid API credentials, when it sends a data request for the Team Thermal Map, then the API responds within 2 seconds with a JSON payload that includes the heatmap data points, color thresholds, applied filters, date range, and team metrics conforming to the agreed schema.

Alert Amplifier

Sends customizable notifications when burnout risk crosses defined thresholds. Alerts can be configured by severity, team, or individual, ensuring managers receive timely prompts via Slack, Teams, or email to initiate check-ins or adjust workloads.

Requirements

Threshold Configuration Interface
"As an HR manager, I want to configure burnout risk thresholds for different teams and individuals so that I can receive alerts tailored to the specific needs and risk tolerance of each group."
Description

Provide an intuitive UI within PulseCheck where HR managers can define and adjust burnout risk thresholds at individual, team, and organizational levels. The interface should support setting multiple threshold levels (e.g., low, medium, high) with corresponding numerical or percentage values, allow selection of specific teams or users, and offer real-time validation to ensure thresholds fall within acceptable ranges. Integrate the configuration UI seamlessly with the existing PulseCheck dashboard, enabling managers to see the impact of their threshold changes immediately and store configurations reliably in the system.

Acceptance Criteria
HR manager sets team-level burnout thresholds
Given the HR manager navigates to the Threshold Configuration Interface When they select a specific team and input low, medium, and high threshold values within allowed ranges Then the system validates inputs in real time and highlights any values outside the permissible range And a confirmation message appears indicating that the thresholds are valid and will be applied
HR manager adjusts individual-level threshold and sees instant validation
Given the HR manager selects an individual employee from the user list When they modify the employee’s burnout risk threshold value to a new percentage Then the interface immediately validates the new value against organizational limits And displays an inline error if the value is out of range, or a green checkmark if valid
HR manager configures multiple severity levels with valid numeric ranges
Given the HR manager opens the severity level settings When they define low, medium, and high thresholds using numerical or percentage inputs Then the system enforces that each level’s minimum is less than its next level’s minimum And prevents saving if any level overlaps or violates ordering rules
HR manager filters threshold settings by department
Given the HR manager clicks on the department filter dropdown When they select one or more departments to view threshold configurations Then only the threshold settings for the selected departments are displayed in the interface And each displayed entry shows editable fields for low, medium, and high values
Threshold changes are saved and reflected on the dashboard
Given the HR manager completes editing threshold values and clicks Save When the save operation succeeds Then the new threshold values are persisted in the system And the main PulseCheck dashboard updates immediately to reflect the current risk levels based on the new thresholds
Multi-Channel Notification Delivery
"As an HR manager, I want to receive burnout risk alerts via my preferred communication channels so that I never miss critical notifications and can act promptly."
Description

Implement a robust notification system that delivers alerts through multiple channels—Slack, Microsoft Teams, and email—based on user preferences. The system should allow managers to opt in or out of channels, configure channel-specific settings (such as message format and frequency), and handle rate limiting to avoid spamming. Ensure secure API integration with each platform, support message templates that include contextual data like team name and risk score, and log each delivery for audit and troubleshooting purposes.

Acceptance Criteria
Opt-In Channel Selection
Given a manager is on the notification settings page When they select or deselect Slack, Teams, or Email channels Then their channel preferences are saved and displayed correctly on page reload
Channel Preference Persistence
Given stored preferences for channels When the alert system triggers a notification Then notifications are only sent via the channels the manager has opted into
Custom Message Template Rendering
Given a manager has configured a custom template with placeholders for team name and risk score When an alert is generated Then the notification message is rendered using the template and includes correct contextual data
Rate Limiting Enforcement
Given multiple burnout alerts are generated for the same manager within a short period When the number of notifications exceeds the defined threshold Then further alerts are deferred and logged to prevent spamming
Audit Log Entry Creation
Given a notification delivery attempt occurs When an alert is sent or deferred Then an audit record is created with timestamp, channel, status, and error details (if any)
Custom Alert Messaging
"As an HR manager, I want to customize alert messages with relevant context and branding so that notifications are clear, personalized, and align with our company communication standards."
Description

Enable managers to create and customize alert message templates that include dynamic placeholders (e.g., {user_name}, {team_name}, {risk_level}, {timestamp}). The template editor should support text formatting, variables insertion, and preview functionality. Allow saving multiple templates and assigning them to specific threshold levels or notification channels. Ensure that the system sanitizes inputs to prevent injection attacks and delivers the final message accurately.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a New Template for High Severity Alerts
Given the manager opens the template editor, when they enter a unique template name, formatted message body including placeholders {user_name}, {risk_level}, and save, then the new template appears in the template list with the correct name and content.
Editing an Existing Template with New Variables
Given an existing template is selected, when the manager updates the message text, adds a new placeholder {timestamp}, and clicks save, then the updated template reflects the changes and retains its assignment settings.
Assigning a Template to a Specific Risk Threshold and Channel
Given multiple templates exist, when the manager selects a template, assigns it to the ‘High Burnout’ threshold for Slack notifications, and confirms, then the system records the assignment and triggers notifications on Slack when the threshold is met.
Previewing the Alert Message with Dynamic Placeholders
Given a template is loaded in the editor, when the manager clicks ‘Preview’ with sample values for {user_name}, {team_name}, {risk_level}, and {timestamp}, then the preview displays a fully populated message matching the template format.
Preventing Injection Attacks through Input Sanitization
Given the manager attempts to insert HTML or script content into the template body, when they save the template, then the system sanitizes the input to remove unsafe code and saves only clean text with placeholders intact.
Escalation Workflow
"As an HR manager, I want alerts to escalate if initial notifications are not acknowledged so that critical burnout risks do not go unnoticed and can be addressed by higher-level stakeholders."
Description

Develop an escalation engine that automatically escalates alerts when initial notifications go unacknowledged for a configurable period. Managers should be able to define escalation rules (e.g., escalate to team lead after 2 hours if no response, then to HR director after 4 hours). The workflow must support multiple escalation levels, customizable time intervals, and alternative notification channels. Provide a dashboard view for pending escalations and a history log of all escalation actions taken.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Escalation Rule Trigger
Given a manager sets an escalation rule for 2 hours if no acknowledgement, when the 2-hour period elapses without a response, then the system automatically escalates the alert to the next designated recipient.
Multiple Escalation Levels Handling
Given an escalation workflow with multiple levels, when each configured time interval passes without acknowledgement, then the system sequentially escalates the alert through each defined level in order.
Custom Time Interval Configuration
Given a manager configures custom time intervals for each escalation level, when the configuration is saved, then the system uses these exact intervals to trigger escalations as specified.
Alternative Notification Channels Usage
Given Slack, Teams, and email channels are configured for alerts, when an escalation is triggered, then notifications are sent simultaneously via all selected channels.
Dashboard and History Log Access
Given alerts have been escalated, when a manager views the Escalation Dashboard, then all pending escalations are listed with their statuses and the history log displays all past escalation actions with timestamps and recipients.
Notification Analytics Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want to view analytics on alert delivery and response to understand how effectively we address burnout risks and improve our notification strategies."
Description

Create a dashboard section that visualizes alert metrics, including number of alerts sent by severity, channel, team, and individual over time. Include charts for response times, acknowledgment rates, and escalation counts. Provide filtering by date range and segmentation by organizational unit. Ensure the dashboard integrates with the main PulseCheck analytics engine, updates in near real-time, and allows exporting data to CSV for external reporting.

Acceptance Criteria
Alert Metrics Overview Visualization
Given the dashboard is loaded, When the user selects the metrics section, Then charts display the number of alerts sent grouped by severity, channel, team, and individual, updated in near real-time and matching backend data within a 5% margin of error.
Response Time Tracking
Given alerts have timestamps for sending and response, When the dashboard is set to any date range, Then the response time chart shows average, median, and 95th percentile response times, with data points updating within 60 seconds of new responses.
Acknowledgment Rate Analysis
Given user acknowledgments are recorded, When the user views the acknowledgment chart, Then it displays the percentage of alerts acknowledged within predefined time buckets, calculated correctly against total alerts.
Alert Segmentation Filtering
Given filters are available, When the user applies filters for date range, organizational unit, severity, or channel, Then all visualizations update dynamically to reflect only the filtered data without requiring a page reload.
Data Export Functionality
Given filtered data is displayed, When the user clicks “Export to CSV”, Then a CSV file is downloaded containing all currently filtered alert metrics and metadata, with column headers matching the dashboard fields and file size under 10MB for up to 10,000 records.

Wellbeing Wizard

Delivers AI-driven, personalized action plans for at-risk employees based on their survey data and usage patterns. Recommendations include tailored coping strategies, learning modules, and peer support suggestions to address specific stress factors.

Requirements

Data Aggregation Engine
"As an HR manager, I want the system to consolidate and preprocess all relevant employee data in real-time so that recommendations consider the latest sentiment and usage patterns."
Description

Aggregate employee survey responses, usage logs, and engagement metrics in real-time, cleansing and normalizing data to feed into the AI-driven recommendation model. This component ensures high data quality, up-to-date inputs, and minimal latency, laying the foundation for accurate personalized action plans.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Survey Aggregation
Given a micro-survey response is submitted, when the Data Aggregation Engine receives it, then the response is ingested, stored in the data repository, and available for AI processing within 2 seconds of submission.
Usage Log Normalization
Given raw usage logs are ingested, when processed by the engine, then all fields (timestamps, user IDs, action types) are transformed to the standardized schema with at least 99% field-level accuracy.
Engagement Metrics Integration
Given daily engagement metrics from Slack and Teams, when imported into the engine, then metrics are aggregated per user per day with no more than 1% discrepancy compared to the source data.
Duplicate Entry Cleansing
Given duplicate records exist across survey responses and usage logs, when the cleansing routine runs, then duplicates are identified by unique event keys and only one record per unique event remains.
Low-Latency Data Pipeline Performance
Given a continuous stream of survey and log events, when processed in real time, then at least 95% of events complete ingestion, cleansing, and normalization with end-to-end latency under 3 seconds.
Personalized Recommendation Algorithm
"As an at-risk employee, I want the system to provide personalized action plans based on my latest survey feedback and engagement history so that I receive targeted support addressing my specific stress factors."
Description

Develop a machine-learning module that analyzes aggregated employee data to generate tailored coping strategies, learning modules, and peer support suggestions. The algorithm leverages behavioral patterns and sentiment trends to optimize the relevance, timing, and effectiveness of each action plan.

Acceptance Criteria
New Risk Detection
Given a newly submitted survey with sentiment score below the risk threshold, when the algorithm processes the data, then it must generate at least three personalized recommendations including one coping strategy, one learning module, and one peer support suggestion.
Optimal Delivery Timing
Given an employee’s historical usage pattern and active hours, when scheduling recommendations, then the system delivers each recommendation during the employee’s identified peak engagement window with no more than 15-minute deviation.
Effectiveness Improvement
Given follow-up sentiment data collected two weeks after recommendations, when analyzing sentiment score changes, then at least 75% of at-risk employees must show a minimum 10% improvement in sentiment score.
Recommendation Composition Diversity
Given aggregated behavioral and sentiment trends, when generating an action plan, then the algorithm must include recommendations from at least three distinct categories: coping strategies, learning modules, and peer support options.
High-Load Processing Performance
Given 1,000 concurrent employee data inputs, when the recommendation algorithm executes, then processing must complete within 2 seconds and maintain a relevance accuracy score of 95% or higher.
Action Plan Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want to view each employee’s action plan and progress within my messaging app so that I can monitor engagement and follow up with support proactively."
Description

Build an interactive dashboard within Slack and Teams to display personalized action plans, progress tracking, and recommended next steps. The dashboard integrates with messaging apps using interactive cards, progress bars, and resource links, enabling HR managers and employees to view and act on recommendations seamlessly.

Acceptance Criteria
Employee Dashboard Access in Slack
Given an employee has completed their AI-driven micro-survey in Slack, when they open the Action Plan Dashboard card, then they see their personalized action plan with at least three tailored recommendations, each displaying a progress bar and a resource link.
Progress Tracking Visualization in Teams
Given an employee has started action plan items, when an HR manager views the dashboard in Teams, then each employee's progress bar accurately reflects the percentage completion (0-100%) and updates within 2 seconds of any change.
Resource Link Functionality
Given an action plan recommendation includes external resources, when the user clicks the resource link on the interactive card, then the link opens in a new browser tab and directs the user to the correct, relevant resource page.
Interactive Next Steps Workflow
Given an employee completes a recommended step, when they mark the step as done via the dashboard card, then the system immediately updates the next step recommendation, updates the progress bar, and sends a confirmation message.
Multi-Platform Consistency
Given a user accesses the Action Plan Dashboard via Slack and Teams simultaneously, when viewing identical action plans, then the content, layout, progress bars, and links match exactly across both platforms.
Coping Strategy Library Integration
"As an at-risk employee, I want to access a curated library of coping strategies and learning modules directly in the action plan so that I can engage with resources that fit my situation."
Description

Integrate with internal and external content libraries to fetch evidence-based coping strategies and learning modules. Ensure that recommendations include up-to-date articles, videos, and exercises tailored to the employee’s specific stress factors, enhancing the quality and relevance of the support provided.

Acceptance Criteria
Internal Library Content Retrieval
Given an at-risk employee profile with defined stress factors When the system requests coping strategies from the internal library Then it returns at least 5 evidence-based articles, videos, or exercises relevant to the stress factors within 2 seconds
External Library API Integration
Given a valid API token and employee stress factors When the system queries the external content library API Then it successfully fetches at least 5 unique coping resources and normalizes them into the internal data schema
Content Filtering by Stress Factor
Given a mixed set of coping strategies with associated tags When the system filters content for an employee's primary stress factor Then only resources tagged with that factor are returned and irrelevant content is excluded
Content Freshness Verification
Given fetched coping strategies When the system checks each resource's publication date Then only content published or updated within the last 24 months is included in recommendations
Recommendation Delivery to User Interface
Given a curated list of coping strategies When the system generates a personalized action plan Then the plan displays at least 3 coping strategies with title, description, and link accessible directly from Slack or Teams
Peer Support Matcher
"As an at-risk employee, I want to be connected with colleagues or groups who have faced similar challenges so that I can receive peer advice and emotional support."
Description

Implement a matching service that identifies and suggests peer mentors or support groups based on shared experiences, department, or interests. Facilitate connections via messaging apps to encourage one-on-one mentorship or group discussions, strengthening community support and reducing isolation.

Acceptance Criteria
Department-Based Peer Matching
Given an at-risk employee selects ‘Find a Peer Mentor’, when the algorithm runs, then it suggests at least three active mentors from the same department with a tenure difference of no more than two years.
Shared Experience Peer Matching
Given survey data indicating high stress due to remote onboarding, when the matcher runs, then it provides at least two suggested peers who reported similar onboarding challenges and achieved improved engagement scores.
Interest-Aligned Group Suggestions
Given an employee indicates interest in mindfulness, when the system generates support group recommendations, then it lists at least two active groups focused on mindfulness with a minimum of five current participants.
Instant Messaging Connection Initiation
Given a peer match is accepted by the employee, when the system sends a connection invitation, then a direct message is automatically sent via Slack or Teams within five seconds containing an introduction template.
Opt-In and Privacy Compliance
Given the user reviews privacy settings, when they opt into peer matching, then the system confirms their consent, anonymizes any sensitive survey responses, and logs consent within the audit trail.
Notification & Reminder System
"As an at-risk employee, I want to receive timely reminders and prompts about my action plan tasks so that I stay on track and follow through with recommended activities."
Description

Design a configurable alert system that sends notifications and nudges via Slack/Teams for new recommendations, upcoming learning modules, and progress check-ins. This system ensures timely engagement, encourages task completion, and maintains user motivation through personalized reminders.

Acceptance Criteria
Notification Preference Setup
Given the HR manager opens the Notification Settings panel, when they select specific event types with preferred channels and save, then the system persists these preferences and sends a confirmation message within 5 seconds.
Recommendation Notification Delivery
Given an at-risk employee receives a new personalized action recommendation, when the recommendation is generated, then the system sends a notification to the employee’s configured channel within 1 minute containing the recommendation summary and a direct link to the Wellbeing Wizard dashboard.
Learning Module Reminder
Given a learning module is due in 24 hours and the employee hasn't started it, when the reminder time arrives, then the system sends a personalized nudge via the configured channel prompting the employee to begin the module, including module title and estimated completion time.
Progress Check-in Nudge
Given an employee has not updated their progress within 7 days of starting a module, when the 7-day threshold is reached, then the system sends a progress reminder via Slack or Teams with a summary of current completion percentage and a link to submit updates.
Missed Task Escalation Alert
Given an employee ignores three consecutive reminders for a recommended action, when the third missed reminder is recorded, then the system escalates the alert by notifying the employee’s manager via the configured channel, including details of the missed tasks and suggested next steps.

Intervention Scheduler

Integrates with managers’ and employees’ calendars to automate one-on-one check-in bookings. When high burnout risk is detected, the scheduler proposes optimal meeting times and sends invites, streamlining the intervention process.

Requirements

Calendar Authorization
"As an HR manager, I want to connect my Google or Outlook calendar so that the Scheduler can access my availability and book meetings automatically."
Description

Securely connect to Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook via OAuth 2.0, enabling managers and employees to grant and revoke permissions for reading availability and creating events. The integration must adhere to each platform’s security and privacy guidelines, ensuring tokens are stored securely, refreshed automatically, and access is maintained without interruption.

Acceptance Criteria
Manager connects their Google Calendar via OAuth
Given a manager without a connected Google Calendar When they initiate the OAuth flow and authenticate successfully Then the system shall securely store the access and refresh tokens; And display the manager’s upcoming availability in the scheduler.
Employee revokes calendar access
Given an employee has previously granted calendar permissions When they revoke access in PulseCheck settings Then the system shall invalidate all stored tokens for that account; And cease reading availability or creating events; And display a revocation confirmation message.
Access token refresh upon expiration
Given a stored OAuth access token has expired When the system makes a calendar API call Then it shall use the refresh token to obtain a new access token automatically; And retry the failed API request successfully; And log the refresh event securely.
Manager connects Outlook Calendar and handles consent prompt
Given a manager selecting "Connect Outlook Calendar" When the Microsoft consent screen appears Then the manager can review and grant required scopes; And upon consent the system shall securely store the tokens; And display an "Integration Successful" notification.
Automated event creation for high burnout risk check-in
Given the system detects an employee with high burnout risk When no one-on-one is scheduled in the next 48 hours Then the scheduler shall identify overlapping free slots on both calendars; And send meeting invites to manager and employee; And create the event in both connected calendars.
Optimal Slot Recommendation
"As a manager, I want the Scheduler to suggest the best meeting times so that I can efficiently intervene when burnout risks are detected."
Description

Analyze participants’ calendar availabilities, working hours, time zones, and existing events to propose the most suitable 30-minute meeting slots. Rank slots based on earliest availability, schedule density, and organizational preferences, and present the top three options for manager approval.

Acceptance Criteria
High Burnout Trigger Slot Suggestion
Given a participant has been flagged as high burnout risk When the manager accesses the Intervention Scheduler Then the system analyzes both calendars and returns the top three 30-minute slots ranked by earliest availability and lowest schedule density.
Cross-Time Zone Working Hours Compliance
Given participants are in different time zones and have defined working hours When generating meeting slots Then only slots within each participant's local working hours are proposed.
Schedule Density Ranking
When evaluating available slots Then the system ranks slots by ascending number of existing events in each participant's calendar, prioritizing days with the least meetings.
Manager Slot Approval and Invite Dispatch
Given the manager selects one of the recommended slots When the manager confirms the choice Then calendar invites are created and sent to all participants with correct time zone conversions.
Fallback Recommendation Under No Common Availability
Given no common 30-minute slot exists within working hours When recommendations are generated Then the system proposes the nearest three slots that minimize schedule conflicts and notifies the manager of any required adjustments.
Automated Invite Creation
"As a manager, I want the Scheduler to send out meeting invites automatically so that I don't have to manually schedule check-ins."
Description

Automatically generate and send calendar invites to both the manager and employee once a slot is confirmed. Invites must include a predefined agenda template, location or conferencing link, and a personalized summary of the intervention purpose. The system must support multiple calendar APIs and ensure invites display correctly in all participant calendars.

Acceptance Criteria
Manager confirms proposed time slot
Given a manager selects a proposed time slot, when the system processes the confirmation, then calendar invites containing a predefined agenda template, location or conferencing link, and a personalized summary are generated and sent to both participants within 2 minutes.
Employee accepts calendar invite
Given an employee receives a calendar invite, when the employee accepts the invite, then the system updates the intervention status to 'Scheduled' and logs the acceptance timestamp.
Calendar API integration with Google and Outlook
Given the system is configured with Google and Microsoft calendar APIs, when an invite is created, then the invite is successfully created in both Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar with correct details and without errors.
Invite content verification
Given a calendar invite is viewed by a participant, when the invite details are displayed, then the body contains the predefined agenda template, a personalized summary prefixed with the participant's name, and a valid conferencing link or location.
Timezone and daylight saving handling
Given participants are in different time zones, when the invite is scheduled, then the invite times adjust correctly to each participant's local time, accounting for daylight saving rules.
Conflict Detection and Rescheduling
"As a manager, I want to be notified and given rescheduling options if a scheduled check-in conflicts with a new event so that I can maintain consistent interventions."
Description

Detect conflicts in real time if a new event overlaps with a scheduled intervention. Notify the manager with conflict details and automatically propose alternative slots. Allow the manager to confirm a new time or cancel the meeting, updating calendar invites and notifications accordingly.

Acceptance Criteria
Manager receives conflict notification
Given an existing intervention scheduled at 2:00 PM and a new event that overlaps from 2:15 PM to 2:45 PM, when the new event syncs with the Intervention Scheduler, then the system detects the overlap and sends a notification to the manager within 2 minutes containing details of both events.
Alternative slots proposed automatically
Given a detected conflict, when the system notifies the manager, then it provides at least three available 30-minute time slots within the next 5 working days, considering the manager’s and employee’s existing calendar events and working hours.
Manager confirms proposed slot
Given the manager selects one of the proposed alternative time slots, when they confirm the selection, then the system updates the intervention meeting to the new time, sends updated invites to all attendees, and displays a confirmation message to the manager.
Manager cancels conflicting meeting
Given a detected conflict, when the manager chooses to cancel the intervention, then the system cancels the meeting invite, sends cancellation notices to all attendees, and removes the event from all integrated calendars.
Dashboard and history updated after changes
Given a rescheduling or cancellation action, when the system processes the change, then the manager’s dashboard reflects the new meeting status within 1 minute and the intervention history logs the change with a timestamp and the manager’s action.
Reminder and Notification System
"As a manager, I want automatic reminders sent to both parties so that our one-on-one sessions are less likely to be forgotten."
Description

Send customizable reminders and notifications to managers and employees via email and Slack/Teams messages prior to scheduled interventions. Allow configuration of reminder timing (e.g., 24 hours, 1 hour before) and content. Track delivery status and enable managers to adjust reminder schedules in settings.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring Reminder Intervals
Given the manager is on the reminder settings page When they set reminder times to 24 hours and 1 hour before an intervention and save Then the system stores these values and shows a success message
Sending Email Reminders
Given an intervention is scheduled for a future date When the reminder time of 24 hours before the intervention is reached Then the system sends an email reminder to both manager and employee and logs the delivery status as 'Sent'
Sending Slack/Teams Notifications
Given an intervention is scheduled When the configured reminder time (e.g., 1 hour before) arrives Then the system posts a reminder message in the manager’s and employee’s Slack or Teams channel and records the notification status
Tracking Delivery Status
Given reminders have been dispatched When the manager views the intervention details Then the system displays the delivery status for each reminder (Sent, Delivered, Failed) with timestamps
Adjusting Reminder Schedule
Given a reminder schedule has been saved When the manager updates the reminder times in settings and confirms changes Then the system updates the schedule, replaces any pending reminders with the new schedule, and confirms the update

Resilience Reminder

Automatically triggers follow-up micro-surveys and quick sentiment check-ins after interventions. This ongoing monitoring ensures managers can measure the effectiveness of support efforts and adjust strategies in real time.

Requirements

Follow-Up Survey Trigger
"As an HR manager, I want follow-up micro-surveys to be automatically triggered after I provide support so that I can monitor employee sentiment over time and adjust my strategies if needed."
Description

Automatically initiates micro-surveys at predefined intervals following an intervention. This functionality ensures ongoing sentiment monitoring by delivering context-aware check-ins through Slack or Teams, seamlessly integrating with existing communication workflows. By capturing follow-up feedback, managers gain visibility into the evolving impact of support efforts and can proactively address emerging issues.

Acceptance Criteria
Scheduled Follow-Up Trigger
Given an intervention is recorded for an employee, When the predefined interval elapses, Then the system automatically sends a follow-up micro-survey to the employee in Slack or Teams.
Channel and Thread Context Awareness
Given the original intervention notification was posted in a specific Slack channel or Teams thread, When sending the follow-up, Then the survey is posted in the same channel or thread to maintain conversation context.
Admin Configurable Interval Settings
Given HR administrators access the Resilience Reminder settings, When they specify a custom interval for follow-up surveys, Then the system schedules the survey at the configured time interval after the intervention.
Duplicate Follow-Up Prevention
Given a follow-up micro-survey has already been sent for a particular intervention, When the interval elapses again, Then the system does not send additional surveys for the same intervention.
Survey Response Logging
Given an employee completes a follow-up micro-survey, When the response is submitted, Then the system records the response timestamp and sentiment score in the manager's dashboard.
Check-In Notification Management
"As an HR manager, I want to customize the schedule and channel for resilience reminders so that I can engage employees at appropriate times and avoid overwhelming them."
Description

Enables configuration of notification schedules and channels for resilience reminders. This requirement allows HR managers to tailor the timing, frequency, and delivery method of follow-up prompts within Slack or Teams, ensuring reminders align with team rhythms and avoid notification fatigue. It enhances adoption by letting managers optimize outreach based on user preferences and organizational guidelines.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring Notification Frequency
Given an HR manager accesses the notification settings module, when they select a frequency option (daily, weekly, or custom interval) and save, then the system schedules follow-up micro-surveys at the specified cadence without errors.
Selecting Notification Channel
Given an HR manager chooses Slack or Teams as the delivery channel, when they save their preference, then reminders are sent exclusively through the selected channel for all configured check-ins.
Preventing Notification Overlap
Given multiple reminder schedules overlap, when the system processes reminders, then it consolidates overlapping notifications into a single prompt to avoid duplicate messages.
Applying User-Level Preferences
Given individual employees set personal quiet hours in Slack or Teams, when a follow-up reminder falls within those hours, then the system defers delivery until outside the quiet period.
Validating Schedule Persistence
Given an HR manager saves a custom schedule, when they revisit the settings page later, then the previously configured schedule and channel selections are accurately displayed and editable.
Intervention Impact Tracking
"As an HR manager, I want to track how sentiment changes after each intervention so that I can evaluate the success of my support efforts and refine my approach."
Description

Captures and aggregates follow-up survey responses to measure the effectiveness of interventions. Integrated with the PulseCheck analytics engine, this requirement correlates sentiment trends with specific support actions, providing metrics on engagement improvement, burnout reduction, and overall morale shifts. Managers receive actionable insights into what’s working and where further adjustments are needed.

Acceptance Criteria
Customizable Survey Templates
"As an HR manager, I want to customize micro-survey templates so that questions resonate with my team’s context and encourage honest feedback."
Description

Offers a library of pre-built and editable micro-survey templates for resilience check-ins. HR managers can modify question phrasing, response scales, and branding elements to suit different teams, interventions, or organizational cultures. This flexibility ensures that follow-up surveys remain relevant, engaging, and aligned with company values.

Acceptance Criteria
Editing Survey Template Branding
Given an HR manager is on the template editor screen When they update the logo, color scheme, and font settings Then the preview updates accordingly and clicking "Save" persists the branding changes
Modifying Question Phrasing
Given an HR manager selects an existing micro-survey template When they edit a question's text and click "Apply" Then the updated phrasing appears in the template list and in the survey preview
Adjusting Response Scales
Given an HR manager is customizing a survey template When they change the response scale type (e.g., Likert to numeric) and set scale points Then the new scale is reflected in the survey preview and validated as within supported bounds
Saving Custom Templates
Given an HR manager has made edits to questions, branding, and scales When they enter a template name and click "Save as New Template" Then the system creates a new template entry in the library with all customizations intact
Applying Custom Template to Follow-up Survey
Given an HR manager schedules a follow-up resilience check-in When they select a custom template from the library and confirm Then the selected template populates the survey configuration and is sent at the scheduled time
Real-Time Alerting
"As an HR manager, I want to receive instant alerts when sentiment falls below a set threshold so that I can intervene before issues worsen."
Description

Generates instant alerts when follow-up check-ins detect critical sentiment drops or negative trends. Configurable thresholds trigger notifications to managers via Slack, Teams, or email, enabling immediate outreach to at-risk employees. This real-time alerting capability helps prevent escalation of burnout and disengagement by prompting timely interventions.

Acceptance Criteria
Critical Sentiment Drop Detection Scenario
Given a follow-up check-in completes and the employee sentiment score falls below the critical threshold, when the system processes the results, then an alert containing the employee ID, sentiment score, timestamp, and survey link is generated and queued for delivery within 10 seconds.
Notification Channel Preference Scenario
Given a manager has configured Slack, Teams, and email as alert channels, when a critical alert is triggered, then identical alert messages are sent to each active channel address and logged in the alert history.
Threshold Configuration Update Scenario
Given a manager updates the critical sentiment threshold in the settings UI and clicks Save, when the update is successful, then subsequent follow-up check-in results use the new threshold for alert generation and the settings UI shows the updated value.
Alert Delivery Acknowledgment Scenario
Given a manager receives a critical alert and clicks the Acknowledge button in Slack or Teams, when the acknowledgment is submitted, then the system records the acknowledgment timestamp, stops further repeat alerts for that employee, and updates the alert status to “Acknowledged” in the dashboard.
Escalation Path Trigger Scenario
Given an alert remains unacknowledged for the configured escalation period (e.g., 1 hour), when the timer elapses, then the system automatically sends an escalation alert to the next-level manager or HR via the manager’s preferred channel.
Analytics Dashboard Integration
"As an HR manager, I want to view follow-up sentiment trends in the PulseCheck dashboard so that I can compare intervention results and make informed decisions."
Description

Integrates follow-up survey data into the PulseCheck dashboard, presenting trend graphs, heat maps, and comparative metrics alongside initial sentiment snapshots. This unified view allows managers to assess intervention outcomes across teams, time periods, and survey types, facilitating data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

Acceptance Criteria
Trend Graph Display Post-Intervention
Given follow-up micro-survey data exists for a selected team and time period, When the HR manager navigates to the follow-up trends section, Then an interactive line chart appears showing sentiment scores over time with date-labeled data points.
Heat Map Visualization Across Teams
Given sentiment data for multiple teams and time periods, When the HR manager selects the heat map view, Then a color-coded grid is displayed with each cell representing a team and period, color intensity matching average sentiment and accompanied by a legend.
Comparative Metrics Between Initial and Follow-Up Surveys
Given initial and follow-up survey datasets for the same cohort, When viewed in the comparative metrics section, Then side-by-side bar charts display average sentiment, response rate, and engagement metrics for each survey with percentage change annotations.
Custom Time Period Filtering
Given start and end dates selected by the HR manager, When a custom filter is applied, Then all visualizations update to show only follow-up survey data within that date range and display the selected range on each chart.
Real-Time Data Refresh
Given new follow-up survey responses are submitted, When the HR manager triggers a refresh or auto-refresh interval elapses, Then all graphs and metrics update within 10 seconds without a full page reload.

Kudos Carousel

A dynamic, rotating feed that showcases peer shout-outs in real time within PulseCheck. Users can scroll through recent recognitions, like and comment on posts, and see team morale at a glance. This keeps appreciation top-of-mind, encourages social engagement, and reinforces positive behaviors across the organization.

Requirements

Real-time Feed Refresh
"As a team member, I want new shout-outs to appear instantly in the carousel so that I can stay informed of recent recognitions and celebrate successes as they happen."
Description

The carousel should automatically update in real time to display new peer shout-outs as they are posted, ensuring users always see the most current recognitions without manual refresh. This improves engagement by highlighting fresh content immediately and maintains an up-to-date snapshot of team morale.

Acceptance Criteria
New Shout-Out Posted
Given the user is viewing the Kudos Carousel, When a new peer shout-out is posted, Then the new shout-out appears at the top of the carousel within 2 seconds without manual refresh.
Sequential Shout-Out Posting During Active Session
Given the user is viewing the Kudos Carousel and multiple shout-outs are posted in quick succession, When each new shout-out arrives, Then the carousel updates fluidly to show each new shout-out in chronological order without duplication or omission.
Offline Mode and Auto-Reconnection
Given the user loses network connectivity and then regains it, When the connection is restored, Then the carousel synchronizes any missed shout-outs and displays them in correct order within 5 seconds of reconnection.
User Scrolls and Feed Maintains Position
Given the user has scrolled down the carousel to view older shout-outs, When new shout-outs arrive, Then the feed updates in the background without changing the user's current scroll position.
High-Volume Shout-Out Posting Surge
Given a surge of over 50 shout-outs within 1 minute, When the data stream continues, Then the carousel queues and loads new shout-outs in batches, displaying the latest 50 shout-outs and allowing users to load older items on demand without performance degradation (load time under 3 seconds per batch).
Interactive Engagement Controls
"As a user, I want to like and comment on shout-outs within the carousel so that I can express appreciation and engage with colleagues quickly."
Description

Users must be able to like and comment directly within the carousel on any shout-out post. Likes and comments should update counts in real time, with comment threads expandable inline. This encourages social interaction and deepens recognition by facilitating immediate feedback.

Acceptance Criteria
Liking a Post Updates Count in Real Time
Given a user views a shout-out post in the Kudos Carousel, When the user clicks the like button, Then the like count increments by one immediately and displays the updated count to all users currently viewing the post.
Commenting Inline Expands Thread
Given a post with collapsed comments, When the user clicks the “View Comments” link, Then the comment thread expands inline beneath the post showing all existing comments without page reload.
Real-Time Synchronization Across Users
Given multiple users have the carousel open, When any user likes or comments on a post, Then all users see the updated like count and new comments within two seconds.
Preventing Duplicate Likes per User
Given a user has already liked a post, When the user attempts to click like again, Then the system prevents additional likes and either disables the like button or toggles it to an unlike state.
Visual Indicator for User Interaction
Given a user likes or comments on a shout-out, When the action is successful, Then the like icon changes color or appearance and the comment box highlights to confirm the user’s interaction.
Filtering and Sorting Options
"As an HR manager, I want to filter and sort the carousel by various criteria so that I can analyze team-specific shout-outs and identify recognition trends."
Description

Provide controls to filter the carousel feed by team, time range (e.g., today, this week), and recognition tags (e.g., innovation, teamwork), as well as sorting by most liked or most recent. This enables users to focus on relevant recognitions and surface trends in specific areas.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter By Team Selection
Given a user opens the Kudos Carousel and selects a specific team from the team filter dropdown When the user applies the filter Then the carousel displays only recognition posts from the selected team
Filter By Time Range Selection
Given a user chooses 'This Week' from the time range filter When the user applies the filter Then the carousel shows only recognitions created within the current week
Filter By Recognition Tag Selection
Given a user selects the 'Innovation' tag from the recognition tags filter When the filter is applied Then only posts tagged with 'Innovation' appear in the carousel
Sort By Most Liked Posts
Given the user opens sorting options and selects 'Most Liked' When the sorting is applied Then the carousel orders posts in descending order by like count
Sort By Most Recent Posts
Given the user selects 'Most Recent' in the sort menu When the sort is applied Then the carousel displays posts in reverse chronological order
Accessibility Compliance
"As a visually impaired user, I want to navigate the carousel using keyboard shortcuts and screen reader cues so that I can participate in peer recognition activities."
Description

Ensure the carousel meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards, including proper ARIA roles, keyboard navigation, and screen reader support. This guarantees that all users, regardless of ability, can navigate and interact with the carousel content effectively.

Acceptance Criteria
Keyboard Navigation Through Carousel
Given a user focuses on the Kudos Carousel container When the user presses the Tab key Then focus moves to the first interactive element and the user can navigate between controls using arrow keys
Screen Reader Announcement of Slides
Given a slide becomes active in the Kudos Carousel When the slide changes Then the screen reader announces the slide position and description
ARIA Roles for Carousel Controls
Given the Kudos Carousel is rendered When inspecting the markup Then all carousel controls have appropriate ARIA roles and labels
Focus Management on Carousel Change
Given a user interacts with a carousel control When the slide changes Then focus remains on the activated control and the change is conveyed to assistive technologies
Contrast Ratio for Carousel Text and Controls
Given the Kudos Carousel UI elements are displayed When measured Then all text and interactive controls meet a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio
Multi-platform Embedding
"As an employee using Slack or Teams, I want the carousel to integrate smoothly into my chat app so that I can view and interact with shout-outs without context switching."
Description

The carousel component must seamlessly embed within both Slack and Microsoft Teams interfaces, respecting each platform’s UI/UX guidelines and authentication flows. It should detect the host environment and adjust styles and behavior accordingly to provide a native feel.

Acceptance Criteria
Slack Interface Embedding
Given a user is in a Slack channel, when the Kudos Carousel loads, then it renders fully within the Slack message pane without clipping or horizontal scrollbars; and all interactive elements (likes, comments) function using Slack's messaging API.
Teams Interface Embedding
Given a user is in a Microsoft Teams channel, when the Kudos Carousel loads, then it displays as an embedded Teams card with no visual glitches; and all interactive elements function using Teams' SDK.
Host Environment Detection
Given the application is loaded, when it initializes, then it correctly detects whether it is running in Slack or Teams by inspecting the host environment variables; and applies the corresponding platform-specific behavior.
UI Style Compliance
Given the carousel is rendered, when in Slack or Teams, then it applies the host platform’s theme styles (colors, fonts, spacing) and UX patterns (card styles, button designs) matching the platform guidelines.
Authentication Flow Integration
Given a user has not authenticated, when accessing the Kudos Carousel in Slack or Teams, then the component triggers the respective OAuth flow and grants necessary permissions, returning to the embedded view upon successful authentication.

Gratitude Digest

An automated daily summary delivered via Slack, Teams, or email that highlights the top peer recognitions from the day. Managers and team members receive a concise, uplifting roundup that boosts morale, fosters transparency, and ensures no shout-out goes unnoticed.

Requirements

Digest Scheduling Engine
"As an HR manager, I want the daily Gratitude Digest delivered at 5 PM every weekday so that my team receives timely recognition and boosts morale."
Description

The system must automatically schedule and trigger the daily Gratitude Digest at configurable times based on user preferences, ensuring consistent delivery across Slack, Teams, and email. It should support timezone detection, scheduling rules for weekends, and fallback mechanisms in case of delivery failures.

Acceptance Criteria
Standard Digest Scheduling
Given a user has set a daily digest time at 9:00 AM, when the time reaches 9:00 AM in their profile timezone, then the system sends the Gratitude Digest via the user’s configured channel.
Timezone-Aware Scheduling
Given users in different timezones with a configured delivery time of 8:00 AM, when it is 8:00 AM local time for each user, then each receives the digest at their respective local 8:00 AM.
Weekend Schedule Skip
Given the user has disabled weekend digests, when the date is Saturday or Sunday, then the system does not send any Gratitude Digest.
Delivery Failure Fallback
Given an initial delivery attempt fails, when the system detects the failure, then it retries up to 3 times at 5-minute intervals and logs an alert for undelivered digests.
User Preference Update
Given a user updates their preferred delivery time or channel, when the update is saved, then the new settings take effect for the next scheduled digest without impacting previous schedules.
Peer Recognition Aggregator
"As a team member, I want the system to automatically gather all peer appreciations from Slack and Teams so that I see everyone’s acknowledgments in one place."
Description

The system aggregates all peer recognition messages from Slack and Teams posted within the last 24 hours, filters duplicates, and ranks entries by reaction count and recency to surface the most impactful shout-outs.

Acceptance Criteria
Daily Shout-Out Compilation
- System retrieves all peer recognition messages from Slack and Teams posted in the last 24 hours; - Only messages with timestamps within the 24-hour window are included; - Aggregation completes within 5 minutes of scheduled run time
Duplicate Message Filtering
- Messages with identical content and sender are identified as duplicates; - Only one instance of each duplicate message is retained; - Messages with identical content but different senders are treated as distinct
Recognition Ranking Algorithm
- Aggregated messages are sorted descending by reaction count; - For equal reaction counts, messages are ordered by recency (newest first); - Top 10 messages are selected for the daily digest
Cross-Platform Aggregation Validation
- System successfully fetches messages from both Slack and Teams APIs with HTTP 200 responses; - Any API failure triggers an error alert and retry mechanism; - No platform’s messages are missing from the final aggregated list
No Recognitions in Timeframe
- If zero messages are found in the 24-hour window, the system generates a digest stating “No peer recognitions today”; - Placeholder message appears in the delivery channel without errors
Timezone-Aware Aggregation
- Aggregation respects each user’s local timezone settings when determining the 24-hour window; - Messages are included or excluded based on user locale-adjusted timeframe; - Users receive digests aligned to their local date boundaries
Multi-channel Formatting
"As an employee, I want the Gratitude Digest to appear neatly formatted in Slack so that I can easily read and acknowledge peer recognitions."
Description

The requirement ensures the digest is formatted appropriately for each delivery channel (Slack, Teams, email), maintaining consistent styling, branding, and readability. Messages should adapt to channel-specific markdown and support mobile and desktop views.

Acceptance Criteria
Slack Digest Rendering
Given a daily gratitude digest is sent via Slack, when the digest is delivered, then messages utilize Slack markdown syntax for bold, italics, and lists, apply brand colors correctly, and display readably in both desktop and mobile clients.
Teams Digest Rendering
Given a daily gratitude digest is sent via Microsoft Teams, when delivered, then content leverages Teams markdown and adaptive cards, adheres to branding guidelines, and renders properly on both desktop and mobile versions of Teams.
Email Digest Rendering
Given a daily gratitude digest is sent via email, when received in common email clients, then the responsive HTML template displays brand styling, adapts layout for desktop and mobile screens, and degrades gracefully if CSS is disabled.
Mobile View Consistency
Given the gratitude digest is opened on a mobile device, when rendered in Slack, Teams, or email, then text, images, and interactive elements are legible without horizontal scrolling, with layout adapting to the viewport size.
Desktop View Consistency
Given the gratitude digest is viewed on a desktop client, when rendered in Slack, Teams, or email, then content fits within the viewport width, aligns correctly, and uses a maximum width to maintain readability.
Recipient Configuration Interface
"As an HR manager, I want to configure which teams and individuals receive the Gratitude Digest so that only relevant stakeholders get the summary."
Description

Provide a user-friendly UI within the PulseCheck dashboard where managers can select recipients (individual users, teams, or custom groups), set delivery channels, and define send windows. Settings should be saved per user and editable at any time.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring Individual Recipients
Given a manager is on the Recipient Configuration Interface, when they select one or more individual users and click Save, then the selected users appear in the recipient list and persist after page reload.
Selecting Teams as Recipients
Given a manager has teams defined in the system, when they choose one or more teams and save, then all members of the selected teams are added as recipients and displayed correctly.
Creating and Assigning Custom Groups
Given a manager wants to send to a specific subset of users, when they create a custom group, add users, and save, then the new group appears in the recipient options and functions like a predefined group.
Setting Delivery Channels
Given a manager configures recipients, when they select Slack, Teams, or Email as delivery channels and save, then notifications are sent via the chosen channels at dispatch time.
Defining Send Windows
Given a manager wants to restrict delivery times, when they set a start and end time window and save, then messages are only dispatched within the specified window for each recipient configuration.
Editing Saved Recipient Settings
Given a manager has existing recipient configurations, when they modify recipients, channels, or send windows and save, then the updates replace the previous settings and reflect on the next dispatch.
Delivery Analytics and Reporting
"As a product owner, I want to see weekly engagement analytics for the Gratitude Digest so that I can measure its impact on team morale."
Description

Track delivery status, open rates, click-throughs, and reactions to each digest. Compile weekly reports within the dashboard, highlighting engagement metrics, top recognizers, and trends to inform management decisions.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Digest Delivery Monitoring
Given a daily Gratitude Digest is scheduled, when the system delivers it via Slack or email, then the dashboard logs the delivery status within 5 minutes
Tracking Open Rates for Daily Digests
Given recipients receive the Gratitude Digest, when they open or view it, then the open event is logged and the open rate percentage is updated and displayed in the weekly report
Click-Through Rate Calculation
Given the Gratitude Digest contains clickable peer recognition entries, when a user clicks an entry link, then the system logs the click and aggregates click-through rate data for the weekly report
Reaction Counting and Trend Analysis
Given users react with emojis to recognitions in the digest, when reactions occur, then the system captures reaction types and counts, and includes top reaction trends in the weekly report
Top Recognizers Identification
Given multiple users send peer recognitions during the week, when generating weekly analytics, then the system identifies the top 5 most active recognizers and displays them in the report
Weekly Report Availability
Given the week ends at Sunday 23:59, when it is Monday 06:00, then the weekly engagement report is automatically generated and available on the dashboard without errors

Instant Kudos

A one-click recognition button integrated directly into chat platforms. Team members can quickly send a predefined or custom shout-out to a colleague without leaving their workflow. This seamless experience drives frequent, spontaneous recognition and strengthens team connections.

Requirements

In-Chat Kudos Button
"As a team member, I want to send kudos with one click in chat so that I can quickly recognize colleagues without disrupting my workflow."
Description

Integrate a one-click kudos button directly into Slack and Teams message interfaces. This button enables users to send recognition without leaving their conversation flow, reducing friction and encouraging spontaneous appreciation. It leverages chat platform APIs for seamless UI integration, ensures consistent branding, and tracks usage for analytics. Expected outcome is a significant increase in the frequency and ease of peer recognition.

Acceptance Criteria
Sending Kudos Without Leaving Chat
Given a user is viewing a Slack or Teams chat, when they click the Instant Kudos button without additional input, then a predefined shout-out message is posted to the selected colleague in the same chat thread and a confirmation notification is displayed.
Customizing Kudos Message
Given a user clicks the Instant Kudos button and selects 'Customize Message', when they enter at least 10 characters and click 'Send', then the custom message is delivered to the chosen colleague in the chat and the input field is cleared.
Maintaining Brand Consistency
The Instant Kudos button and message card adhere to product branding guidelines for color, typography, iconography, and tooltip text across both Slack and Teams interfaces.
Tracking Usage for Analytics
Each kudos event triggers an API call logging user ID, recipient ID, timestamp, platform (Slack or Teams), and message type (default or custom) to the analytics backend within 2 seconds.
Cross-Platform Functionality
The Instant Kudos button is visible, clickable, and fully functional in the latest versions of Slack and Microsoft Teams on desktop and mobile, with equivalent UX behavior.
Kudos Template Library
"As a team member, I want a selection of predefined kudos messages so that I can quickly choose an appropriate shout-out without typing from scratch."
Description

Provide a curated library of predefined recognition messages accessible through the kudos button menu. The library offers varied, context-appropriate templates designed to inspire meaningful shout-outs and reduce the time needed to craft messages. Admins can manage and customize templates per organization. This ensures consistency in tone and aligns recognition with company values.

Acceptance Criteria
Accessing the Template Library
Given a user opens the kudos button menu in Slack or Teams, when the template library is requested, then at least 20 predefined templates are displayed, categorized, and searchable within 2 seconds.
Selecting a Predefined Template
Given the template library is open, when a user clicks on a predefined template, then the template text populates the message preview and the user can send the shout-out without errors.
Customizing a Template
Given a user selects a predefined template, when the user edits the template text in the preview pane and clicks send, then the customized message is posted in the chat channel exactly as edited.
Admin Editing of Templates
Given an admin accesses the kudos template management panel, when the admin adds, updates, or deletes a template, then the change is saved and the updated template list is available to all users within 5 minutes.
Template Availability Across Platforms
Given the application is integrated with both Slack and Teams, when a user opens the template library in either platform, then the same templates, categories, and search functions are available and function identically.
Custom Kudos Input
"As a team member, I want to write a custom kudos message so that I can tailor recognition to my colleague's contributions."
Description

Allow users to compose and send fully custom kudos messages via a pop-up input when selecting the custom option. This feature supports rich text formatting (bold, emoji) and optional image attachments to personalize recognition. Custom messages are stored for reporting and analytics, enabling insights into recognition trends and personalization effects.

Acceptance Criteria
Custom Kudos Message Creation
Given a user selects the custom kudos option and the pop-up appears, When the user inputs a message and clicks send, Then the custom kudos is posted in the chat stream and confirmation is displayed.
Rich Text Formatting in Kudos
Given the custom kudos pop-up is open, When the user applies bold formatting or inserts an emoji, Then the sent message displays the formatting and emoji correctly in the chat.
Image Attachment in Kudos
Given the custom kudos pop-up is open, When the user attaches an image file under 5MB and clicks send, Then the image appears inline within the kudos message in the chat.
Kudos Message Persistence
Given a custom kudos message is sent, When the message is delivered, Then the message and its metadata are saved in the analytics database and retrievable via the reporting API.
Kudos Input Accessibility
Given the custom kudos pop-up is open, When the user navigates via keyboard or screen reader, Then all input fields, buttons, and attachments are accessible and operable.
Kudos Confirmation Notification
"As a sender, I want confirmation that my kudos was sent and the recipient to be notified so that I know my recognition was delivered and appreciated."
Description

After a kudos is sent, display a confirmation toast to the sender and push a notification to the recipient in their chat. This feedback loop confirms successful delivery and instantly notifies recipients, ensuring recognition is both acknowledged and celebrated. Notifications include message preview and link to view full history.

Acceptance Criteria
Kudos Sending Confirmation Display
Given a user sends a kudos in the chat platform, When the kudos is successfully delivered to the backend, Then a confirmation toast with the text “Kudos sent!” appears to the sender within 2 seconds and auto-dismisses after 5 seconds.
Recipient Notification Delivery
Given a recipient is online in Slack or Teams, When kudos is sent, Then the recipient receives a push notification in their chat within 5 seconds containing the sender’s name, a preview of the kudos message, and a “View Kudos History” link.
Notification Content Accuracy
Given the sender includes a custom message with their kudos, When the recipient’s notification is delivered, Then the preview in the notification matches the first 200 characters of the sent custom message exactly.
Link to Full Kudos History
Given a recipient clicks the “View Kudos History” link in the notification, When they click the link, Then the PulseCheck app opens to the kudos history pane showing the full details of that kudos entry.
Handling Notification Delivery Failures
Given a network error or notification service failure occurs, When the sender’s kudos fails to trigger a recipient notification, Then an error toast with the text “Kudos failed. Please try again.” appears to the sender and no recipient notification is sent.
Kudos Activity Feed
"As a team member, I want to see a feed of recent kudos so that I can celebrate achievements and stay informed about team recognition."
Description

Implement an activity feed that surfaces recent kudos within the chat interface or a companion dashboard. The feed highlights who sent kudos to whom, the message content, and timestamps, fostering transparency and reinforcing positive team culture. Users can filter by team or individual, and admins can embed the feed in custom channels or web views.

Acceptance Criteria
In-Chat Kudos Feed Display
Given a user opens the Kudos Activity Feed in their Slack or Teams chat interface, when the feed loads, then the 10 most recent kudos are displayed in chronological order, showing sender name, recipient name, message content, and timestamp.
Dashboard Kudos Feed Filters by Team
Given an HR manager views the Kudos Activity Feed in the companion dashboard, when they select a specific team from the team filter dropdown and apply the filter, then only kudos sent within that team are shown, and the feed updates within 2 seconds.
Dashboard Kudos Feed Filters by Individual
Given a user selects an individual user filter in the dashboard, when they enter the user's name and apply the filter, then the feed displays only kudos where the selected user is either the sender or the recipient, and results return within 2 seconds.
Admin Embed Feed in Custom Channel
Given an admin configures the Kudos Activity Feed for embedding in a custom Slack channel or web view, when they paste the provided embed code into the channel settings or web page HTML, then the live feed appears and auto-refreshes every 60 seconds without manual intervention.
Timestamp Accuracy and Ordering
Given any view of the Kudos Activity Feed, when multiple kudos share identical timestamps, then the feed orders them alphabetically by sender name and displays all timestamps in the user's locale and timezone settings.

Team Cheerboard

A visual dashboard widget that aggregates and displays recognition metrics—like most-recognized employees, trending appreciation topics, and weekly volume—in an easy-to-read format. Leaders can spot engagement hotspots, celebrate top contributors, and tailor initiatives based on real-time social affirmation data.

Requirements

Real-Time Recognition Data Aggregation
"As an HR manager, I want recognition events to be aggregated in real time so that I can see up-to-the-minute employee appreciation trends and address engagement issues promptly."
Description

Implement a backend service that collects and consolidates employee recognition events from Slack and Teams in real time. This service should process incoming data streams, normalize recognition metadata (such as sender, recipient, timestamp, and message content), and store aggregated metrics in a scalable database. It ensures that the dashboard always reflects the latest sentiment indicators and supports high-volume traffic without performance degradation.

Acceptance Criteria
Slack Recognition Event Ingestion
Given a user sends a recognition message in Slack When the backend service receives the event Then it acknowledges receipt within 500ms and logs the raw event with correct sender, recipient, timestamp, and message content
Teams Recognition Event Ingestion
Given a user sends a recognition message in Microsoft Teams When the backend service processes the incoming stream Then it logs the raw event with accurate sender, recipient, timestamp, and message content and returns a 200 OK status within 500ms
Data Normalization and Metadata Extraction
Given logged raw events When the normalization pipeline runs Then each record is transformed to include standardized sender and recipient IDs, timestamp in UTC, sanitized message content, and recognition metadata tags
High-Volume Traffic Performance
Given a sustained load of 10,000 recognition events per minute When the service processes the stream Then end-to-end latency remains under 1 second and CPU and memory utilization do not exceed defined thresholds
Scalable Database Storage Verification
Given normalized events When they are persisted Then each record is written to the database within 100ms, aggregated metrics tables are updated correctly, and the system auto-scales to maintain performance under increased load
Dynamic Visualization Widgets
"As a team leader, I want visual widgets that dynamically update so that I can easily spot high-performing employees and trending recognition topics at a glance."
Description

Develop interactive dashboard components that display recognition metrics in various formats including leaderboards, trend lines, and heatmaps. Each widget should allow users to hover for details, click to drill down by team or time period, and refresh dynamically as new data arrives. These visualizations will help leaders quickly identify top contributors, emerging appreciation topics, and engagement hotspots.

Acceptance Criteria
Leaderboard Drill-Down Scenario
Given a user is viewing the leaderboard widget, when they click on a team name, then within 2 seconds the widget should update to display individual employee recognition counts for that team over the selected time period; and the displayed data must match backend records for team members.
Trend Line Time Period Filter Scenario
Given a user is viewing the trend line widget, when they select a different time period (e.g., last 30 days), then the trend line must update within 3 seconds to reflect recognition counts for that period and display correct date labels on the x-axis.
Heatmap Hover Details Scenario
Given a user hovers over a cell in the heatmap, when the hover event is detected, then a tooltip must appear showing the exact recognition count, team name, and week or day label; tooltip must not obscure more than 20% of the widget area.
Dynamic Data Refresh Scenario
Given new recognition data arrives on the server, when the dashboard refresh interval (60 seconds) triggers, then all visual widgets must update to include the new data without requiring manual page reload and complete within 5 seconds.
Drill-Down Team and Time Filter Scenario
Given a user is on any visualization, when they apply a team and time period filter via widget controls, then the visualization must refresh to show filtered data and the URL must include the selected filters; selections must persist after page reload.
Customizable Metrics Filters
"As an HR analyst, I want to apply custom filters to recognition data so that I can focus on the metrics that matter most to my department and generate targeted reports."
Description

Provide filter controls that enable users to narrow down recognition data by parameters such as date range, department, team, recognition type, and keyword tags. Filters should apply instantly to all dashboard widgets and support multi-select and search within filter options. This functionality allows stakeholders to tailor their view to specific organizational segments or time frames for deeper insight.

Acceptance Criteria
Date Range Filter Application
Given the user selects a start and end date within the date picker when applying the date range filter, Then all dashboard widgets update to show only recognition data whose timestamps fall between the selected dates.
Department and Team Multi-Select Filters
Given the user selects one or more departments and teams from the multi-select filter dropdown, When the filter is applied, Then the dashboard displays recognition metrics only for the chosen organizational segments.
Recognition Type Filter Interaction
Given the user chooses one or more recognition types (e.g., peer-to-peer, manager-to-employee) from the filter menu, Then the dashboard widgets immediately reflect counts and trends for only the selected recognition types.
Keyword Tag Search Functionality
Given the user enters a keyword or partial tag name into the filter’s search field, When at least one matching tag appears, Then the user can select tags by checkbox and the dashboard updates to include only data tagged accordingly.
Instant Update Across Dashboard Widgets
Given any filter change (date range, department, team, type, or tag), Then all visible dashboard widgets refresh within two seconds to present data consistent with the active filters.
Multi-Platform Integration
"As an IT administrator, I want the Cheerboard to integrate effortlessly with Slack and Teams so that recognition data is captured without manual intervention or data loss."
Description

Ensure seamless connectivity with Slack and Microsoft Teams via secure APIs. Implement reliable message listeners or webhooks to capture recognition events, handle authentication and permission scopes, and maintain connectivity health checks. The integration must support both platforms’ rate limits and schema differences, guaranteeing consistent data flow into the Cheerboard widget.

Acceptance Criteria
Slack Recognition Event Capture
Given a new recognition message is posted in Slack, when the Slack webhook listener receives the event, then the system must capture the event payload within 2 seconds and persist the user ID, timestamp, message content, and channel identifier in the Cheerboard database.
Teams Recognition Event Capture
Given a new recognition message is posted in Microsoft Teams, when the Teams webhook listener captures the event, then the system must record the event details—user ID, timestamp, message content, and team ID—into the Cheerboard database within 2 seconds.
API Authentication and Permissions
Given the integration configuration dialog, when the HR manager submits Slack or Teams credentials, then the system must successfully perform the OAuth flow, store valid access tokens, and verify that the ‘chat:read’ and ‘events:read’ permission scopes are granted before enabling event capture.
Platform Rate Limit Handling
Given event traffic from Slack or Teams exceeds the platform’s rate limit thresholds, when the system processes incoming events, then it must throttle requests or queue excess events to ensure no API calls exceed 50 calls per minute for Slack and 60 calls per minute for Teams, retrying queued events without data loss.
Unified Schema Normalization
Given recognition events from both Slack and Teams, when the system ingests the data, then it must map platform-specific fields to the Cheerboard unified schema—standardizing user identifiers, timestamps (in UTC), and message text—ensuring no schema validation errors occur.
Connectivity Health Checks and Alerts
Given the integration is active, when the system executes health checks every 5 minutes, then it must verify connectivity to both Slack and Teams APIs, log the status, and send an alert notification to the DevOps channel if any check fails for more than two consecutive attempts.
Role-Based Access Control
"As a security officer, I want role-based access controls applied to the Cheerboard so that only authorized users can view or export confidential recognition metrics."
Description

Design and implement user authentication and authorization layers that restrict dashboard access based on user roles (e.g., HR manager, team leader, employee). Define permissions for viewing, filtering, and exporting data. This ensures sensitive sentiment information is only visible to authorized personnel and complies with company data governance policies.

Acceptance Criteria
HR Manager Full Dashboard Access
Given an authenticated user with the HR Manager role When they navigate to the Team Cheerboard widget Then they can view recognition metrics for all employees And when they apply date or department filters Then the dashboard updates to reflect filtered data And when they click the export button Then a CSV file with the filtered data is downloaded
Team Leader Scoped Dashboard Access
Given an authenticated user with the Team Leader role When they open the Team Cheerboard widget Then they can view recognition metrics only for members of their own team And when they apply team or time range filters Then the dashboard updates correctly within their team scope And when they attempt to export Then only data for their team is included in the CSV
Employee Personal Recognition View
Given an authenticated user with the Employee role When they access the Team Cheerboard widget Then they can only view their individual recognition metrics And dashboard-level filters and export functions are disabled or hidden
Unauthorized User Access Restriction
Given a user without any assigned role or with an invalid token When they attempt to access the Team Cheerboard widget endpoint Then access is denied with a 403 Forbidden response And no dashboard data is returned
Data Export Permission Enforcement
Given any authenticated user When they click the export button Then export succeeds only if their role is HR Manager or Team Leader And the export button is disabled or returns an authorization error for Employee and unauthorized roles

Highlight Hall

A dedicated archive within PulseCheck that preserves standout shout-outs, creating a living hall of fame. Users can browse past recognitions by date, department, or keyword, immortalizing achievements and inspiring ongoing appreciation throughout the organization.

Requirements

Shout-out Archival Engine
"As an HR manager, I want all standout shout-outs automatically archived so that I can review and celebrate past recognitions at any time."
Description

Develop a backend service that captures, stores, and retrieves every standout shout-out posted in PulseCheck. This engine will ensure shout-outs are securely archived in a structured database, indexed by timestamp, author, and recipient. It will support high-throughput writes for real-time inclusion and provide consistent, low-latency read access for the Highlight Hall interface. Integration with existing sentiment analysis ensures metadata like sentiment score and keyword tags are also stored alongside the shout-out content.

Acceptance Criteria
Live Shout-out Archival on Submission
Given a user submits a new shout-out, when the engine processes it, then it persists the shout-out in the database within 200ms. And the stored record includes timestamp, author ID, recipient ID, content, sentiment score, and keyword tags. And the service returns HTTP 201 Created with a confirmation payload.
High-Throughput Write Handling
Given a batch of 1000 shout-outs arriving concurrently, when the engine ingests them, then all 1000 records are persisted without loss or duplication and within an average write latency of 500ms per record. And no write errors occur under load.
Sentiment Metadata Storage
Given sentiment analysis metadata attached to a shout-out, when the engine stores the record, then the sentiment_score field is saved as a numeric value between -1.0 and 1.0, and keyword_tags is saved as an array of strings. And retrieval of that record returns these fields correctly.
Indexed Retrieval by Recipient and Date
Given a GET request for shout-outs for a specific recipient between two dates, when querying the engine, then the service returns all matching records sorted by timestamp descending. And the response latency is under 300ms for up to 500 records.
Real-Time Highlight Hall Retrieval
Given the Highlight Hall UI requests the 50 most recent shout-outs, when querying the engine, then the service returns the data within 150ms. And the response payload includes shout-out content, author, recipient, timestamp, sentiment score, and tags.
Advanced Search Filters
"As a team lead, I want to search shout-outs by department and keywords so that I can quickly find recognitions relevant to my team."
Description

Implement a rich search interface enabling users to filter archived shout-outs by date range, department, shout-out type, or custom keyword. The feature will leverage indexed fields and full-text search capabilities to deliver sub-second query results. It will include UI elements like date pickers, dropdowns for department selection, and a keyword text box, seamlessly integrated within the Highlight Hall view.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter by Date Range
Given the user selects a valid start and end date in the date pickers and clicks ‘Apply’, When the system executes the query, Then only shout-outs with timestamps between the selected dates are displayed and the UI highlights the active date range filter.
Filter by Department
Given the user opens the department dropdown and selects one or more departments, When the filter is applied, Then the results show only shout-outs authored or targeted to the selected departments, and the dropdown displays the selected department names.
Filter by Shout-Out Type
Given the user chooses a shout-out type (e.g., Peer Recognition, Manager Recognition) from the type selector and clicks ‘Apply’, When the query runs, Then the archive lists only shout-outs matching the selected type, and the selected type is visibly marked.
Search by Keyword
Given the user enters a keyword or phrase into the search text box and presses ‘Enter’, When the system performs a full-text search, Then only shout-outs containing the keyword in message content or title are returned, and the matched terms are highlighted in the results.
Combined Multi-Filter Search
Given the user applies a combination of date range, department filter, shout-out type, and keyword, When all filters are active and the user clicks ‘Apply’, Then the system returns results meeting all selected criteria in under one second, and the UI displays all active filter tags.
Tagging & Categorization
"As an administrator, I want to categorize shout-outs with predefined tags so that I can generate meaningful reports on specific recognition themes."
Description

Introduce a flexible tagging system allowing users to assign custom tags (e.g., Kudos, Innovation, Teamwork) to each shout-out at creation or retrospectively. Tags will be stored as metadata, enabling grouping and filtering in the Highlight Hall. Administrators can predefine a controlled vocabulary of tags to maintain consistency across the organization.

Acceptance Criteria
Assigning Tags during Shout-out Creation
Given a user is creating a new shout-out, When they reach the tagging field, Then they can select one or more tags from the predefined list and optionally add a custom tag, And the selected tags are saved as metadata with the shout-out.
Retrospective Tagging of Existing Shout-outs
Given a user is viewing an existing shout-out without tags, When they open the tag editor, Then they can add, remove, or modify tags, And changes are persisted to the shout-out metadata.
Filtering Shout-outs by Tag in Highlight Hall
Given the Highlight Hall is displayed, When a user selects one or multiple tags in the filter panel, Then only shout-outs containing all selected tags are shown, And the filter updates in real time without page refresh.
Administering Controlled Tag Vocabulary
Given an administrator accesses the tag management interface, When they add, edit, or delete a tag in the controlled vocabulary, Then changes are reflected immediately for all users, And no duplicate tag names can be created.
Preventing Duplicate Tags on Shout-outs
Given a user is tagging a shout-out, When they attempt to add a tag that already exists on that shout-out, Then the UI prevents the duplicate entry and displays an appropriate message.
Hall of Fame Dashboard UI
"As an employee, I want an attractive dashboard of top shout-outs so that I feel inspired and recognized by my peers’ achievements."
Description

Design and build a dedicated dashboard within PulseCheck for the Highlight Hall, featuring a visually engaging layout that showcases spotlight shout-outs, trending recognitions, and tag-based leaderboards. The UI will include pagination, infinite scroll options, and interactive elements to highlight featured entries. It must adhere to the existing design system for consistency and accessibility standards.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Load of Hall of Fame Dashboard
Given the HR manager opens the Hall of Fame Dashboard, When the page loads, Then the dashboard displays the 10 most recent highlights sorted by date descending; And each highlight shows the sender, recipient, message preview, and date; And the UI adheres to the existing design system styling.
Filtering by Department and Date
Given the Hall of Fame Dashboard is displayed, When the user selects a department filter and a date range, Then only highlights matching those filters appear; And the total count of visible highlights updates accordingly; And clicking 'Clear Filters' resets the view to show all highlights.
Infinite Scroll Pagination
Given the initial batch of 10 highlights is visible, When the user scrolls to the bottom of the list, Then the next 10 highlights load automatically without a full page reload; And a loading spinner displays during data fetch; And the new highlights append to the existing list in chronological order.
Interactive Highlight Detail View
Given a list of highlights is displayed, When the user clicks on a highlight card, Then a modal opens showing the full message text, sender and recipient details, timestamp, and associated tags; And the modal can be closed via a close button or by clicking outside the modal area.
Accessibility Compliance Check
Given the Hall of Fame Dashboard is rendered, Then all interactive elements have appropriate ARIA labels; And keyboard navigation cycles through highlight cards, filters, and buttons; And color contrast ratios meet WCAG AA standards; And screen readers announce each highlight card’s key information.
Export & Share Functionality
"As an HR director, I want to export shout-out archives so that I can include them in monthly engagement reports."
Description

Provide functionality to export Highlight Hall content to PDF or CSV formats for offline sharing and archiving. Additionally, enable direct sharing links for individual shout-outs or filtered views, with configurable permissions. The export process will respect user roles and data privacy settings, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive recognition data.

Acceptance Criteria
Bulk Export of All Shout-Outs
Given an HR manager with export permissions, when they select “Export All” and choose PDF format, then a PDF containing every shout-out from Highlight Hall is generated and downloaded within 10 seconds.
Filtered Export by Department
Given a manager filtering Hall entries by department and date range, when they click “Export CSV,” then a CSV file with only the filtered shout-outs is produced and available for download.
Individual Shout-Out Direct Share Link
Given a user viewing a single shout-out, when they click “Share Link,” then a unique, secure URL is generated that allows recipients with proper permissions to view that shout-out.
Permission-Based Access Control
Given roles are assigned, when a user without export rights attempts to export or generate share links, then the export/share options are disabled and an “Access Denied” message is shown.
CSV File Format Validation
Given an HR manager exports Hall data as CSV, when the file is opened, then it contains correct headers (Date, Employee, Recognition Text, Department) and properly escaped values for special characters.

Milestone Mapper

Visualize and customize the onboarding journey by mapping key milestones—such as Day 1, Week 1, and Month 1—to trigger targeted micro-surveys. This ensures timely feedback at every critical point, allowing HR and managers to spot concerns early and tailor support for each new hire.

Requirements

Milestone Definition Interface
"As an HR manager, I want to define and customize onboarding milestones with an easy-to-use interface so that I can tailor the new hire experience to each role quickly and efficiently."
Description

The platform should provide an intuitive interface for HR managers to define onboarding milestones such as Day 1, Week 1, and Month 1. Users can add, edit, or remove milestones, assign titles, descriptions, and timeframes, and save milestone templates for reuse across different roles or departments. This will streamline the process of customizing onboarding journeys and ensure consistent milestone management.

Acceptance Criteria
Adding a New Onboarding Milestone
Given the HR manager is on the Milestone Definition Interface When they click 'Add Milestone', enter a title, description, and timeframe, and click 'Save' Then the new milestone appears in the milestone list with correct details
Editing an Existing Milestone
Given an existing milestone in the interface When the HR manager clicks 'Edit' on that milestone, updates its title, description, or timeframe, and clicks 'Save' Then the milestone list reflects the updated information
Removing a Milestone
Given an existing milestone in the interface When the HR manager clicks 'Delete' on that milestone and confirms the action Then the milestone is removed from the milestone list
Saving Milestones as a Template
Given one or more milestones defined in the interface When the HR manager clicks 'Save as Template', provides a template name, and confirms Then the template appears in the template library with the correct set of milestones
Applying a Saved Milestone Template
Given one or more templates in the template library When the HR manager selects a template and clicks 'Apply' Then the interface populates the milestone list with the milestones from the selected template
Timeline Visualization
"As an HR manager, I want to visualize onboarding milestones on an interactive timeline so that I can easily understand and communicate the schedule of surveys to stakeholders."
Description

The feature should visually map defined milestones onto an interactive timeline within the Milestone Mapper dashboard. Users can scroll through the timeline, zoom in on specific timeframes, and visually track when each micro-survey will be triggered. Color-coding and icons should differentiate milestone types and statuses, providing clear at-a-glance insights into the onboarding progress.

Acceptance Criteria
Zooming Into Specific Timeframes
Given the timeline is displayed, when the user adjusts the zoom controls to a specific date range, then the timeline must update to show only milestones within that range without distortion or loss of data.
Scrolling Through the Timeline
Given a populated timeline, when the user scrolls horizontally, then new milestones should smoothly load and remain visible without lag, and the scroll position must be maintained correctly.
Visual Differentiation of Milestones
Given multiple milestone types and statuses, when the timeline is rendered, then each milestone shall display the correct icon and color-coded indicator corresponding to its type and status per design specifications.
Displaying Milestone Details on Hover
Given the user hovers over a milestone icon, then a tooltip shall appear showing the milestone name, scheduled date, and survey trigger details, and the tooltip shall disappear when the cursor moves away.
Responsive Timeline Layout
Given the user accesses the Milestone Mapper on desktop, tablet, or mobile, when the screen size changes, then the timeline layout shall adapt to retain readability and all interactive functions (scroll, zoom, hover) must work without overlap or truncation.
Automated Survey Triggers
"As an HR manager, I want surveys to be automatically sent at each milestone so that I can ensure consistent feedback collection without manual oversight."
Description

The system must automatically schedule and dispatch micro-surveys to new hires based on configured milestone dates. It should integrate with Slack and Teams APIs to send survey prompts precisely at the defined milestones, ensure retry logic for failed sends, and log trigger events. This automation guarantees timely feedback collection without manual intervention.

Acceptance Criteria
Milestone Date Trigger Execution
Given a new hire has a configured milestone date, When the milestone date and time arrive, Then the system queues the corresponding micro-survey and logs the scheduling event with user ID, milestone ID, and timestamp.
Slack Survey Dispatch
Given a queued micro-survey for Slack, When the Slack API returns a 200 OK response upon dispatch, Then the survey prompt is delivered to the new hire's Slack workspace and the send status is logged as 'Sent'.
Teams Survey Dispatch
Given a queued micro-survey for Microsoft Teams, When the Teams API responds with success upon dispatch, Then the survey prompt appears in the new hire's Teams channel and the send status is logged as 'Sent'.
Failed Send Retry Mechanism
Given an initial survey send attempt fails due to a network error or non-2xx API response, When the first attempt fails, Then the system retries sending up to 3 times at 5-minute intervals, logs each retry attempt with outcome, and if all retries fail, logs the final failure with error details and notifies the admin.
Trigger Event Logging
Given any scheduled or dispatched survey action, When the system performs the action, Then it logs an event record containing event type (schedule or dispatch), user ID, milestone ID, timestamp, channel (Slack or Teams), and send status.
Custom Reporting Integration
"As an HR manager, I want to generate reports filtering survey responses by milestone so that I can analyze onboarding effectiveness and present findings to leadership."
Description

Integrate Milestone Mapper data with the PulseCheck analytics dashboard, allowing managers to filter and compare survey responses by milestone, role, or cohort. Reports should display sentiment trends, average response rates per milestone, and highlight anomalies. Export options for CSV or PDF should be available for sharing insights with stakeholders.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter Survey Responses by Milestone
Given the manager is on the PulseCheck analytics dashboard, When the manager selects a milestone filter (e.g., Day 1), Then the report displays only survey responses associated with that milestone, And the total response count and average sentiment score are updated accordingly.
Compare Response Rates Across Roles
Given the manager has selected two or more roles in the filter menu, When the comparison is executed, Then the dashboard displays side-by-side graphs of response rates for each selected role, And highlights any role with response rate below the threshold defined by HR.
Identify Sentiment Trend Over Time
Given a specific cohort and time range are selected, When the dashboard renders the sentiment trend chart, Then the chart plots average sentiment scores at each milestone within the time range, And displays a trendline indicating increase or decline of sentiment.
Highlight Anomalous Data Points
Given the sentiment trend chart is displayed, When the system detects a data point deviating more than two standard deviations from the mean, Then the anomalous data point is visually highlighted in red, And a tooltip explains the anomaly with date, milestone, and response count.
Export Reports to CSV and PDF
Given the manager has configured filters on milestone, role, and cohort, When the manager clicks the 'Export' button and selects CSV or PDF format, Then the exported file downloads within 5 seconds, And the file contains the filtered data with headers, timestamps, sentiment scores, and summary tables matching the on-screen report.
Milestone Notifications
"As an HR business partner, I want notifications when milestones are reached or survey responses are low so that I can proactively address potential engagement issues."
Description

Upon milestone completion or survey dispatch, the system should send configurable notifications to designated stakeholders (e.g., hiring manager, HRBP) via email or messaging platforms. Notifications will include survey summaries or alerts if response rates fall below thresholds. Customizable notification rules ensure relevant teams remain informed and can take timely action.

Acceptance Criteria
Hiring Manager Email Notification upon Milestone Completion
Given a milestone is marked complete, when notification rules include email to the Hiring Manager, then an email with the milestone summary is sent within 5 minutes to the Hiring Manager's email address.
HRBP Slack Alert for Survey Dispatch
Given a micro-survey is dispatched at a milestone, when notification rules include Slack messaging for the HRBP, then a Slack message containing the survey link and details is posted to the designated HRBP channel immediately upon dispatch.
Response Rate Threshold Alert to Hiring Manager
Given a survey has been open for 48 hours, when the response rate falls below the 50% threshold, then a notification with the current response rate and alert is sent to the Hiring Manager via the configured messaging platform.
Custom Notification Rule for Multiple Stakeholders
Given custom rules are configured for multiple stakeholders, when a milestone completion event occurs, then the system sends notifications to all designated stakeholders using their preferred channels (email, Slack, Teams) within 5 minutes.
Notification Delivery Failure Handling
Given a notification fails to deliver due to an invalid contact or service downtime, when the system encounters a delivery error, then it retries up to 3 times with exponential backoff and logs the failure in the operations dashboard.

Welcome Wave

Automatically launch a series of friendly, bite-sized surveys during the first 30 days of onboarding to gauge new hires’ comfort, clarity on role expectations, and initial engagement. This proactive pulse check helps teams address questions and issues before they affect morale or productivity.

Requirements

Onboarding Survey Timeline Configuration
"As an HR manager, I want to configure the schedule of onboarding surveys so that I can gather feedback at optimal intervals during the first 30 days."
Description

Enable HR managers to define and adjust the schedule of automated micro-surveys for new hires within their first 30 days. This includes setting default cadence intervals (e.g., days 3, 7, 14, 30), allowing overrides for individual hires, and ensuring integration with the onboarding calendar. The feature ensures timely check-ins, improves early engagement tracking, and seamlessly ties into the existing PulseCheck scheduling system.

Acceptance Criteria
Define Default Cadence
Given an HR manager accesses the Onboarding Survey Timeline Configuration page, when they set default survey intervals at days 3, 7, 14, and 30 and save their settings, then the system stores these intervals and applies them to all new hires without individual overrides.
Override Individual Hire Schedule
Given an HR manager views a specific new hire’s profile, when they choose to override the default survey schedule and select custom days within the first 30 days, then the system updates and schedules surveys according to the custom dates only for that hire.
Validate Calendar Integration
Given an HR manager configures survey dates, when they sync the schedule with the onboarding calendar, then the calendar reflects the survey dates and notifies both the manager and the new hire at least 24 hours before each survey.
Enforce 30-Day Limit
Given an HR manager attempts to schedule a survey outside the new hire’s first 30 days, when they select a date beyond day 30, then the system displays an error message and prevents saving the schedule.
Prevent Scheduling Conflicts
Given default and override schedules exist for a new hire, when the HR manager attempts to set two surveys on the same day, then the system warns about the conflict and requires resolution before saving.
Survey Content Customization
"As an HR manager, I want to customize survey questions so that the feedback is relevant to my team's context and role-specific needs."
Description

Provide a dynamic survey template editor allowing HR teams to create, edit, and organize questions (multiple choice, rating scales, open text) tailored to role, department, or location. Templates can include placeholders for personalization (e.g., hire name, start date) and support branching logic. This customization ensures relevance, drives thoughtful responses, and integrates with the PulseCheck content library.

Acceptance Criteria
Template Editor Access
Given an HR user has PulseCheck access, When they open the Survey Content Customization module, Then the template editor loads within 2 seconds and displays a list of existing templates.
Question Type Customization
Given the HR user is in the template editor, When they add or edit a question, Then they can select question types from multiple choice, rating scale, or open text options, and saved questions persist after reload.
Placeholder Personalization
Given the HR user includes placeholders in a template, When they preview the survey, Then placeholders like {{hire_name}} and {{start_date}} are replaced with sample data or actual user data in the preview.
Branching Logic Application
Given a branching rule is defined between questions, When a respondent completes the survey, Then subsequent questions are shown or hidden according to the branching logic settings.
Content Library Integration
Given the HR user is constructing a survey, When they search or browse the PulseCheck content library, Then they can import templates or questions into their custom template and see them in the editor.
Multi-channel Survey Delivery
"As a new hire, I want to receive surveys in my preferred messaging app so that I can provide feedback conveniently without switching platforms."
Description

Implement seamless integration with Slack and Microsoft Teams to automatically deliver scheduled surveys through direct messages or dedicated onboarding channels. Support OAuth authentication, channel mapping per user, and fallbacks if a user is inactive on one platform. Ensures high visibility, convenience for new hires, and leverages existing communication habits within PulseCheck.

Acceptance Criteria
Slack OAuth Flow for New Hires
Given a new hire without Slack connected, when they initiate Slack integration during onboarding, then the system completes OAuth authentication successfully, stores an access token, and displays a confirmation message.
Teams OAuth Flow for New Hires
Given a new hire without Teams connected, when they initiate Teams integration during onboarding, then the system completes OAuth authentication, stores the authentication token securely, and notifies the user of successful connection.
Scheduled Survey Delivery via Direct Message
Given a connected channel (Slack or Teams) for a new hire and a scheduled survey date, when the scheduled time arrives, then the system sends the survey as a direct message in the user's connected platform with the correct survey content.
Fallback Delivery Mechanism
Given a new hire connected to multiple platforms, if no survey interaction occurs within 24 hours on the primary platform, then the system automatically delivers the survey on the secondary platform or via email and logs the fallback event.
Channel Mapping Verification
Given channel mapping defined for each user, when an admin updates a user’s preferred channel, then the system uses the updated mapping for all subsequent survey deliveries without manual intervention.
Automated Reminders and Escalations
"As an HR manager, I want automated reminders for incomplete surveys so that participation rates stay high and I’m alerted to disengagement early."
Description

Create a rules engine that detects uncompleted surveys after a configurable time window, sends automated reminders to new hires, and escalates persistent non-responses to their manager or HR. Supports customizable reminder cadences, escalation thresholds, and notification templates. This capability boosts response rates and ensures managers remain informed.

Acceptance Criteria
Reminder Sent After First Missed Survey Window
Given a new hire has not completed their scheduled survey within the configured time window, when the window elapses, then the system sends a reminder notification to the new hire via the targeted channel within 5 minutes using the active notification template.
Escalation to Manager After Persistent Non-Response
Given a new hire has missed the survey and not responded to the configured number of reminders, when the final reminder threshold is reached, then the system escalates the non-response by sending a notification to the assigned manager or HR contact within 5 minutes and logs the escalation.
Customizable Reminder Cadence Update
Given an administrator updates the reminder cadence settings, when the changes are saved, then all future reminders follow the new cadence values without requiring a system restart and the updated settings are reflected in the configuration UI.
Notification Template Customization Applies
Given a customized notification template is configured for reminders or escalations, when the system sends a notification, then the message content matches the customized template, including correct replacement of dynamic placeholders such as {{employeeName}} and {{surveyLink}}.
Audit Log Entries for Reminders and Escalations
Given a reminder or escalation is sent, when the action completes, then an audit log entry is created capturing the timestamp, recipient, survey ID, and action type, and the entry is retrievable via the audit log API.
Survey Engagement Insights Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want to view real-time analytics of onboarding surveys so that I can identify engagement trends and act promptly to support new hires."
Description

Develop a real-time dashboard focused on onboarding survey performance, displaying key metrics like completion rates, average sentiment scores, trend lines over the 30-day window, and comparison across departments or cohorts. Includes filtering, export functionality, and drill-down views for individual hires. Helps managers quickly identify areas of concern and track engagement improvements.

Acceptance Criteria
Department-Level Completion Rate Tracking
Given a manager selects a specific department and 30-day onboarding window, when the dashboard loads, then it displays the total number of surveys sent and the percentage completed within that period, with a completion rate matching backend data within ±1%.
Cohort Sentiment Trend Analysis
Given a cohort defined by new-hire start dates, when the manager views the sentiment trend chart, then it plots daily average sentiment scores over 30 days, refreshes data within 5 minutes of new responses, and displays exact values on hover.
Individual Hire Drill-down View
Given a manager clicks on an individual hire in the dashboard, when the detailed view opens, then it lists each survey instance with timestamp, sentiment score, and any open-text comments, and allows filtering by date range.
Export CSV of Engagement Metrics
Given a manager clicks the export button, when the system processes the request, then it generates and downloads a UTF-8–encoded CSV file within 3 seconds containing columns: HireID, Department, SurveyDate, Completed (Y/N), SentimentScore, and Comments, with a header row.
Cross-Department Comparison View
Given a manager selects two or more departments, when the comparison view is displayed, then it shows side-by-side bar charts of completion rates and average sentiment for each selected department, updating instantly on selection change and showing numeric details in tooltips.

Comfort Check

Dynamically adjust survey frequency based on sentiment scores—triggering more frequent check-ins if comfort levels dip below a set threshold. By responding to real-time feedback, managers can intervene sooner, reducing confusion and potential drop-off in engagement.

Requirements

Configurable Sentiment Threshold
"As an HR manager, I want to configure the sentiment threshold that triggers more frequent check-ins so that I can tailor interventions to my team's unique comfort level norms."
Description

Allow HR managers to set and adjust the sentiment score threshold that triggers increased survey frequency. This functionality should integrate with the existing settings interface, enabling managers to define comfort score cutoffs for Slack and Teams micro-surveys. It should validate input ranges, provide default recommended values, and persist configurations across sessions. By making thresholds configurable, the product ensures tailored responses to different team cultures and sensitivity levels.

Acceptance Criteria
Threshold Input Validation
Given the HR manager navigates to the sentiment threshold settings, When they enter a value below 0 or above 100 and attempt to save, Then the system displays a validation error message and prevents the configuration from being saved.
Default Threshold Recommendation Display
Given the HR manager accesses the threshold settings for the first time, When the sentiment threshold field is empty, Then the interface displays a default recommended value with an explanatory tooltip and allows the manager to accept or adjust the recommendation.
Threshold Persistence Across Sessions
Given the HR manager sets and saves a new sentiment threshold value, When they log out and log back in or refresh the settings page, Then the previously saved threshold value remains displayed and active in the configuration interface.
Threshold Adjustment in Teams Integration
Given the HR manager selects the Teams micro-survey channel, When they input a valid sentiment threshold value and click save, Then the system applies the new threshold to all subsequent Teams surveys and displays a confirmation message.
Threshold Adjustment in Slack Integration
Given the HR manager selects the Slack micro-survey channel, When they input a valid sentiment threshold value and click save, Then the system applies the new threshold to all subsequent Slack surveys and displays a confirmation message.
Automated Survey Frequency Adjustment
"As an HR manager, I want the system to automatically increase survey frequency when comfort levels drop so that I can receive timely feedback without manual intervention."
Description

Implement logic to automatically modify the interval between micro-surveys based on live sentiment scores. When sentiment dips below the configured threshold, the system should shorten the survey cadence (e.g., from weekly to daily), and when sentiment recovers above threshold, restore the default frequency. This component must interact with the scheduling engine and respect rate limits for Slack and Teams messages, ensuring seamless, unobtrusive check-ins.

Acceptance Criteria
Trigger Daily Surveys on Low Sentiment
Given the average sentiment score falls below the configured threshold for two consecutive survey cycles, When the system evaluates survey frequency, Then it adjusts the interval to daily surveys for affected employees.
Restore Weekly Surveys on Sentiment Recovery
Given the average sentiment score rises above the configured threshold for three consecutive daily surveys, When the system evaluates survey frequency, Then it restores the interval to the default weekly schedule.
Prevent Exceeding Slack Rate Limits
Given the scheduling engine attempts to send more than the allowed number of messages to Slack within an hour, When preparing to dispatch surveys, Then the system queues excess messages and retries after the rate limit window resets, ensuring no API errors.
Respect Teams Message Rate Limits
Given the system is configured with a maximum message rate per minute for Microsoft Teams, When the frequency increases due to low sentiment, Then the scheduler throttles messages to comply with the rate limit and logs any delays.
No Change When Sentiment Stable
Given the sentiment score remains within ±5% of the threshold for four consecutive surveys, When the system evaluates frequency, Then it maintains the current survey cadence without adjustment.
Real-time Sentiment Monitoring
"As an HR manager, I want the platform to monitor sentiment in real time so that I can detect dips in comfort levels as soon as they occur."
Description

Develop a background service to continuously analyze incoming micro-survey responses and update sentiment scores in real time. This service should process AI-driven sentiment analysis results, evaluate against thresholds, and emit events to downstream components. It must be optimized for low latency and high throughput, ensuring immediate detection of sentiment shifts across large employee cohorts.

Acceptance Criteria
Continuous Response Processing
Given a new micro-survey response is received, when the background service processes the response, then the sentiment score is computed and stored in the sentiment database within 200 milliseconds of receipt.
Threshold Evaluation
Given a computed sentiment score, when the score falls below the predefined comfort threshold, then the service emits a 'LowSentimentAlert' event to downstream components within 100 milliseconds.
Event Emission Reliability
Given subscription by downstream services, when an event is emitted, then the event is delivered at least once and acknowledged by the subscriber, ensuring no loss of critical alert messages.
Performance Under Load
Given a sustained influx of 10,000 micro-survey responses per minute, when the service is under peak load, then the 95th percentile of response-to-update latency remains below 500 milliseconds and zero responses are dropped.
Fault Tolerance and Recovery
Given a service instance failure or restart, when the service recovers, then all unprocessed responses in the queue are processed, and no response is lost, achieving full recovery within two minutes.
Manager Alert Notifications
"As an HR manager, I want to receive immediate alerts when sentiment falls below the threshold so that I can proactively engage with my team."
Description

Create a notification system that alerts managers via Slack and Teams when sentiment scores breach configured thresholds. Alerts should include summary statistics, trend graphs, and suggested actions. The notification module should allow customization of alert frequency and message templates, integrating with existing messaging workflows to ensure managers receive timely, actionable insights.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring Alert Thresholds
Given a manager accesses the alert settings page When they input a sentiment score threshold and save Then the system stores the threshold and displays a confirmation message
Receiving Alert via Slack
Given a sentiment score breaches the configured threshold When the system triggers an alert Then the manager receives a Slack notification containing summary statistics, a trend graph, and suggested actions
Receiving Alert via Teams
Given a sentiment score breaches the configured threshold When the system triggers an alert Then the manager receives a Microsoft Teams notification containing summary statistics, a trend graph, and suggested actions
Customizing Message Templates
Given a manager uploads or edits an alert message template When the template is saved and an alert is triggered Then the notification message follows the custom template with all placeholders correctly populated
Adjusting Alert Frequency
Given a manager sets a custom alert frequency When multiple threshold breaches occur within the defined period Then alerts are grouped and sent according to the specified frequency without duplication
Frequency Adjustment Analytics Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want to view analytics on how dynamic survey frequencies affected sentiment so that I can assess the effectiveness of our interventions."
Description

Add a dashboard view that visualizes the history of survey frequency adjustments alongside sentiment trends. The dashboard should display timestamps of threshold breaches, frequency changes, and subsequent sentiment responses, using interactive charts and filters. This feature will help managers evaluate the impact of increased check-ins and refine comfort thresholds over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Threshold Breach and Frequency Change Visualization
Given the user opens the analytics dashboard When threshold breach events occur Then each breach event is plotted with its timestamp and associated frequency adjustment on the timeline chart
Sentiment Response Correlation Chart
Given frequency adjustment events have occurred When sentiment data is received within the following 7 days Then the dashboard displays a correlation chart linking each adjustment event to subsequent sentiment score changes
Date Range Filtering
Given the dashboard is loaded When the user selects a custom date range Then only threshold breaches, frequency adjustments, and sentiment trends within that range are displayed across all visualizations
Interactive Data Tooltip
Given the user hovers over any data point on a chart Then a tooltip appears showing the exact timestamp, event type, frequency value, and sentiment score for that point
Export Chart Data
Given the user clicks the export button on any chart view When a date range is selected Then the system downloads a CSV file containing the underlying event data and sentiment scores for that range

Buddy Beacon

Pair new hires with a dedicated onboarding buddy and automatically send follow-up micro-surveys after their first check-in sessions. This feature reinforces social connection, tracks mentorship effectiveness, and uncovers areas where additional guidance may be needed.

Requirements

Buddy Pairing Automation
"As an HR manager, I want the system to automatically assign onboarding buddies to new hires so that I can ensure each employee has a dedicated mentor without manual coordination."
Description

The system automatically pairs new hires with a dedicated onboarding buddy based on customizable criteria such as department, role, location, and availability. This feature streamlines the assignment process, ensuring each new employee is matched with an experienced team member, fostering early social connections and accelerating integration. The automated pairing logic integrates with the company's HR database and calendar systems to verify eligibility and schedule initial check-ins, reducing administrative overhead and improving onboarding consistency. The expected outcome is a seamless buddy match process that enhances engagement, mentorship effectiveness, and new hire satisfaction.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Buddy Assignment upon New Hire Onboarding Start
Given a new hire record exists with department, role, location, and start date, When the onboarding process is initiated, Then the system automatically assigns a buddy matching the new hire's department and role within 5 minutes.
Pairing Based on Department and Role
Given multiple eligible buddies in the same department and role with open capacity, When the pairing algorithm executes, Then the system selects the buddy with closest tenure and expertise level.
Verification of Buddy Availability
Given the selected buddy is linked to the calendar system, When availability is checked, Then the system confirms at least one 30-minute open slot within the new hire’s first week.
Scheduling First Check-In Meeting
Given buddy availability is confirmed, When scheduling the initial meeting, Then the system sends calendar invites to both participants within 10 minutes of pairing.
Integration Error Handling
Given the HR database or calendar API is unreachable, When the pairing process runs, Then the system logs the error, retries up to three times, and notifies the administrator if retries fail.
Micro-Survey Scheduling Engine
"As a new hire mentor, I want follow-up surveys to be automatically scheduled and delivered after each check-in so that I can receive timely feedback on my mentee’s experience."
Description

The micro-survey scheduling engine triggers follow-up surveys to both new hires and their onboarding buddies at predefined intervals after key check-in sessions. It supports customizable timing rules, frequency settings, and survey templates, integrating with Slack and Teams to deliver surveys directly within the user's communication environment. This feature captures timely feedback on mentorship interactions, identifies areas where additional guidance is needed, and ensures consistent sentiment tracking. Expected outcomes include improved data collection on onboarding effectiveness, increased response rates, and actionable insights for managers to intervene promptly.

Acceptance Criteria
Schedule Initial Survey Post First Check-In
Given a new hire completes their first check-in session, when the scheduling engine triggers an initial survey, then the survey is delivered to the new hire within 5 minutes of check-in completion.
Apply Custom Frequency Rules
Given an HR manager sets a follow-up survey frequency to every 7 days, when 7 days have elapsed since the last survey, then the engine automatically schedules and delivers the survey without manual intervention.
Deliver Surveys via Slack and Teams
Given a user’s preferred communication platform is Slack or Teams, when a survey is scheduled, then the engine sends the survey message through the correct platform’s API and confirms delivery status.
Use Correct Survey Template per Role
Given an HR manager selects a specific survey template for either a new hire or onboarding buddy, when the scheduling engine generates the survey, then it applies the chosen template to each scheduled survey instance.
Retry Failed Survey Deliveries
Given a survey delivery attempt fails due to a network or API error, when the engine detects the failure, then it retries delivery up to 3 times at 2-minute intervals and logs each retry outcome.
Mentorship Effectiveness Analytics
"As an HR manager, I want to view analytics on mentorship effectiveness so that I can assess the success of the buddy program and address any issues early."
Description

The Mentorship Effectiveness Analytics module aggregates and analyzes survey responses related to onboarding buddy sessions, providing HR managers with dashboards and reports on key metrics such as satisfaction scores, engagement trends, and communication frequency. It includes visualizations, filters, and benchmarks against historical data, enabling identification of high-performing buddies and mentees who may need additional support. Integration with existing PulseCheck dashboards ensures a unified view of overall employee sentiment. Expected outcomes are data-driven insights into the buddy program’s impact, facilitating continuous improvement and targeted interventions.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Overall Buddy Satisfaction Dashboard
Given one or more completed buddy session surveys, when the HR manager opens the Mentorship Effectiveness Analytics dashboard, then the average satisfaction score is displayed and matches the computed average from raw survey data within a 1% margin of error.
Filtering Analytics by Date Range
When the HR manager selects a specific date range filter on the analytics dashboard, then all displayed metrics (satisfaction, engagement, communication frequency) update to include only data from within that date range and exclude any data outside it.
Comparing Buddy Performance to Benchmarks
Given available historical benchmark data, when the HR manager switches to benchmark comparison view, then the dashboard displays benchmarks side by side with current metrics and accurately calculates and shows percentage variance for each metric.
Identifying Low-Engagement Mentees
When the HR manager generates a report for mentees with engagement scores below the defined threshold, then the report lists all qualifying mentees along with their engagement scores, last check-in date, and assigned buddy.
Integration with Main PulseCheck Dashboard
When the Mentorship Effectiveness Analytics module is enabled, then its dashboard tile appears under the 'Analytics' section of the main PulseCheck dashboard and loads fully within 3 seconds upon navigation.
Proactive Alert System
"As an HR manager, I want to receive alerts when survey feedback indicates potential issues so that I can intervene quickly and support my new hires."
Description

The Proactive Alert System monitors micro-survey responses and triggers real-time notifications to HR managers or team leads when sentiment thresholds are breached, such as low satisfaction ratings or recurring negative feedback. Alerts can be customized by severity level and delivery channel, including email, in-app notifications, or direct messages in Slack and Teams. This ensures that potential onboarding issues are flagged immediately, allowing for swift corrective action. The expected outcome is reduced time-to-resolution for mentorship challenges and enhanced new hire retention.

Acceptance Criteria
Low Satisfaction Alert Trigger
Given a new hire completes a micro-survey with a satisfaction rating below 3, when the response is submitted, then an alert is sent to the assigned onboarding buddy via Slack within 2 minutes.
Recurring Negative Feedback Detection
Given three consecutive micro-survey responses with negative sentiment keywords from a new hire, when the third response is received, then a high-severity email alert is sent to the HR manager and team lead immediately.
Custom Severity Level Configuration
Given the HR manager sets custom thresholds for low, medium, and high severity alerts, when thresholds are saved, then the system applies these settings to all subsequent survey responses and categorizes alerts accordingly.
Delivery Channel Fallback
Given an alert fails to deliver via Slack due to an API error, when the retry mechanism is triggered, then the system sends the same alert via email within 5 minutes.
Alert Acknowledgement Logging
Given an HR manager acknowledges an in-app notification alert, when the acknowledgement action is taken, then the system logs the acknowledgement timestamp, user ID, and alert details in the audit trail.
Buddy Program Dashboard Integration
"As a team lead, I want a consolidated dashboard view of the buddy program metrics so that I can oversee onboarding progress and ensure mentors are engaged."
Description

The Buddy Program Dashboard Integration extends the existing PulseCheck dashboard to include a dedicated section for the onboarding buddy program, displaying key indicators such as pairing status, upcoming check-ins, survey completion rates, and aggregate sentiment scores. Users can customize the dashboard view, set up widgets, and export reports. Integration leverages the same authentication and UI framework as PulseCheck’s core product to provide a consistent user experience. Expected outcomes include centralized monitoring of the buddy program and streamlined management of onboarding workflows.

Acceptance Criteria
Accessing the Buddy Program Dashboard
Given a logged-in HR manager, when they navigate to the PulseCheck dashboard and select the Buddy Program section, then the system displays a dedicated Buddy Program Dashboard showing pairing status, upcoming check-ins, survey completion rates, and aggregate sentiment scores within 3 seconds.
Customizing Dashboard Widgets
Given the Buddy Program Dashboard is visible, when the HR manager clicks the 'Customize View' button, then they can add, remove, or rearrange widgets and see the layout update immediately.
Exporting Buddy Program Reports
Given the HR manager is viewing the Buddy Program Dashboard, when they click the 'Export Report' button and select CSV or PDF, then the system generates and downloads a report containing pairing status, check-in dates, survey completion rates, and sentiment scores formatted according to selection.
Notifications for Upcoming Check-Ins
Given there are upcoming check-ins scheduled within the next 48 hours, when the HR manager loads the Buddy Program Dashboard, then a notification panel displays these check-ins sorted by date and time, highlighting high-priority or overdue sessions.
Consistent Authentication and UI Integration
Given the HR manager is authenticated in the core PulseCheck dashboard, when they access the Buddy Program section, then they remain authenticated without additional login prompts and experience consistent UI elements, including menu styles, color schemes, and typography.

Adaptive Pathway

Leverage AI-driven insights from survey responses to recommend personalized learning modules, resource links, and next-step tasks. As new hires progress, the pathway adapts to their comfort and confidence levels, ensuring a tailored onboarding experience that accelerates assimilation.

Requirements

Adaptive Recommendation Engine
"As a new hire, I want the system to suggest relevant learning modules based on my survey feedback so that I can focus on the most valuable training content for my current confidence and skill levels."
Description

The system must integrate an AI-driven engine that analyzes survey response data, sentiment scores, and user engagement metrics to generate personalized learning module recommendations. It should support real-time processing of micro-survey inputs, leverage machine learning models to assess new hires' confidence levels, and deliver tailored next-step tasks within Slack and Teams. This requirement ensures that onboarding pathways evolve dynamically with each individual's progress, enhancing assimilation and reducing time to productivity.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Learning Module Recommendation
Given a new hire completes the initial onboarding micro-survey When the system receives the survey responses Then the adaptive recommendation engine analyzes sentiment scores and engagement metrics and returns at least three personalized learning module recommendations within 5 seconds
Real-Time Next-Step Task Generation
Given any micro-survey submission by a user in Slack or Teams When the system processes the input Then it generates a tailored next-step task recommendation and posts it to the respective channel within 3 seconds
Adaptive Module Update on Confidence Variation
Given an existing learning pathway When a user's confidence score drops by more than 15% compared to the previous survey Then the system selects and recommends supplementary modules and resources aligned with the user's lower confidence level
Slack Recommendation Delivery
Given a personalized recommendation is generated When the user is on Slack Then the system posts the recommendation in the user's designated Slack channel with a message containing module title, description, and link for immediate access
Teams Recommendation Delivery
Given a personalized recommendation is generated When the user is on Microsoft Teams Then the system posts the recommendation as an adaptive card including module title, description, and link in the appropriate Teams channel
Learning Module Repository
"As an HR manager, I want to update and tag learning modules in a centralized repository so that the onboarding content stays relevant and easily accessible to new hires."
Description

The platform must maintain a centralized, searchable catalog of learning modules, resource links, and tasks, categorized by topic, skill level, and department relevance. Each module entry should include metadata such as estimated completion time, prerequisites, and associated competencies. The repository should support versioning, tagging, and easy updates by HR managers, ensuring that recommended content remains current and aligned with company standards.

Acceptance Criteria
HR Manager Searches for Modules by Category
Given the HR manager is on the repository page, When they apply filters for topic 'Cybersecurity' and skill level 'Intermediate', Then the system displays modules matching both filters sorted by relevance.
Learner Accesses Module Metadata
Given a module entry in the catalog, When the learner clicks on the module title, Then the system displays metadata including estimated completion time, prerequisites, and associated competencies.
HR Manager Updates Module Version
Given an existing module, When the HR manager uploads a new version, Then the system increments the version number, archives the previous version, and flags the new version as current.
Resource Tagging and Search
Given the repository interface, When the HR manager tags a module with 'Onboarding' and 'JavaScript', Then searching for either tag returns the tagged module in the results.
Module Recommendation Alignment
Given new hire progress data, When the AI engine generates module recommendations, Then it selects modules from the repository that match current metadata, versioning, and the hire's skill level.
Real-time Feedback Loop
"As a new hire, I want to rate and comment on the recommended learning modules so that future suggestions better match my learning preferences."
Description

The application must capture and process user feedback on recommended modules, including completion status, satisfaction rating, and qualitative comments, within Slack and Teams. Feedback should be fed back into the recommendation engine to continuously refine suggestion accuracy and adjust future pathway steps. This loop ensures the system learns from user interactions, improving personalization over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Module Completion Feedback Submission in Slack
Given a user completes a recommended learning module in Slack When they click the 'Mark as Completed' button Then the system logs the completion status and displays a confirmation message to the user.
Satisfaction Rating Collection in Teams
Given a user completes a learning module in Teams When the system prompts for a satisfaction rating Then the user can select a rating from 1 to 5 and the system records the rating along with timestamp.
Qualitative Feedback Entry via Slack Survey
Given a user receives a feedback survey in Slack When the user enters text feedback in the input field and submits Then the system captures the comment, associates it with the correct module, and acknowledges receipt.
Feedback Processing and Recommendation Engine Update
Given the system has aggregated user feedback When new feedback is received Then the recommendation engine recalculates recommendation weights within 5 minutes and updates subsequent module suggestions.
Real-Time Feedback Visibility for HR Managers
Given feedback data is received When HR managers view the dashboard Then they see real-time updates of completion status, ratings, and comments sorted by date and module.
Onboarding Progress Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want a dashboard showing each new hire’s progress through their learning pathway and sentiment over time so that I can identify who needs additional support."
Description

The feature should provide HR managers and new hires with a visual dashboard displaying current pathway progress, completed modules, upcoming tasks, and sentiment trends. The dashboard must integrate seamlessly into the PulseCheck web app, offering filters by cohort, department, and time period. It should update in real time as new data arrives from surveys and module completions.

Acceptance Criteria
HR Manager Views Real-Time Progress
- Dashboard displays a progress bar for each new hire’s module completion - Completed modules count matches backend records for each hire - Upcoming tasks list shows the next three pending tasks per hire - Overall completion percentage is calculated correctly
New Hire Checks Next Tasks
- New hire sees only tasks assigned to them - Next tasks are listed in order of due date - Task items include links that navigate to the corresponding module content
Filter Dashboard by Department
- Department filter dropdown lists all active departments - Selecting a department refreshes the dashboard to show only data for that department - Selected department filter persists after page refresh
Sentiment Trend Visualization
- Sentiment chart plots daily average sentiment scores over the selected time period - Chart updates automatically when new survey responses arrive - Y-axis range adjusts dynamically based on minimum and maximum sentiment values in the dataset
Cohort Progress Comparison
- Cohort filter allows selecting two cohorts for side-by-side comparison - Comparison view displays module completion percentages for each selected cohort - Differences between cohorts’ completion rates are visually highlighted
Real-Time Data Update Verification
- Dashboard updates within 2 seconds of a new module completion event - New survey responses are reflected in the sentiment trend chart without manual refresh - Real-time update indicator displays the timestamp of the last data refresh
Sentiment-Based Pathway Adjustment
"As a manager, I want the system to adjust the onboarding pathway when an employee’s sentiment drops so that I can intervene before disengagement escalates."
Description

The system must adapt the learning pathway based on real-time sentiment analysis of micro-survey responses, automatically increasing or decreasing difficulty, and suggesting additional resources when negative sentiment or low confidence is detected. It should flag potential burnout or disengagement, triggering optional manager interventions and supplemental content to address emerging issues.

Acceptance Criteria
Positive Sentiment Progression
Given a new hire completes a micro-survey with a sentiment score ≥ 0.8 and confidence rating ≥ 4 When the system analyzes the response in real time Then it automatically increases the learning module difficulty by one level and schedules an advanced module within 24 hours.
Negative Sentiment Intervention
Given a new hire submits a micro-survey with sentiment score ≤ 0.4 or confidence rating ≤ 2 When the system detects negative sentiment or low confidence Then it recommends at least two relevant resource links and inserts a supportive message into the pathway within 1 hour.
Burnout Alert Trigger
Given a new hire’s sentiment scores fall below 0.3 for three consecutive surveys When the system identifies potential burnout risk Then it flags the profile for manager review, sends an optional intervention prompt to the manager within 30 minutes, and attaches a burnout prevention guide.
Manager Intervention Notification
Given the system flags a hire for disengagement or burnout When a manager intervention is available Then an automated notification with summary insights and suggested next steps is delivered to the manager’s Slack or Teams channel and acknowledged within 2 hours.
Adaptive Difficulty Decrease
Given a new hire reports neutral sentiment (0.4–0.6) with confidence ≤ 3 When the system processes the survey Then it decreases the next module difficulty by one level and schedules a brief review of previous content within 12 hours.
Contextual Notifications and Reminders
"As a new hire, I want to receive timely reminders in Slack about pending modules so that I can stay on track with my onboarding pathway."
Description

The platform should send personalized notifications and reminders through Slack and Teams about upcoming learning modules, pending feedback requests, and pathway milestones. Notifications must be context-aware—timed based on user activity and workload—and configurable by HR managers for frequency and content. This ensures new hires stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Acceptance Criteria
Idle User Reminder
Given a new hire has not accessed their assigned learning module in the past 48 hours When the system detects no activity and it’s between 9am-5pm in the user’s timezone Then send a personalized Slack or Teams reminder with module details and a direct link
End-of-Week Pending Items Summary
Given it’s Friday at 4pm in the user’s timezone and end-of-week summary is enabled When there are pending feedback requests or upcoming milestones Then send a summary notification in Slack or Teams listing all pending items
Activity-Aware Notification Suppression
Given a user is active in Slack or Teams (typing a message or in a call) When a scheduled notification is due Then defer the notification until the user has been idle for at least 10 minutes
Configuration Change Enforcement
Given an HR manager updates notification frequency or content settings in the admin console When the update is saved Then all subsequent notifications adhere to the new configuration within 5 minutes
Multi-Channel Delivery Verification
Given a user is connected to both Slack and Teams When a notification is triggered Then deliver the notification to the user’s active channel with correct formatting and actionable buttons
Analytics and Reporting Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want analytics reports on onboarding module effectiveness so that I can optimize the training pathway for future hires."
Description

The platform must offer an analytics dashboard for HR managers, featuring key metrics such as average time to completion, module effectiveness (based on sentiment change), and cohort comparisons. Reports should be exportable in CSV and PDF formats, scheduled or on-demand, to inform continuous improvement of onboarding programs and resource allocation.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Key Metrics
Given the HR manager is on the Analytics Dashboard, When the dashboard loads, Then widgets display average time to completion, module effectiveness based on sentiment change, and cohort comparisons with data updated within 5 seconds.
Exporting Reports On-Demand
Given the HR manager has selected desired metrics and date range, When the manager clicks the ‘Export’ button, Then a downloadable CSV or PDF file is generated containing the selected report data with correct formatting.
Scheduling Automated Report Delivery
Given the HR manager navigates to report scheduling settings, When they define a schedule and confirm, Then the system sends the specified report via email in CSV and PDF formats at the configured times.
Comparing Cohort Performance
Given the HR manager selects two or more cohorts to compare, When the cohorts are applied, Then the dashboard updates to show side-by-side comparisons of average time to completion and sentiment change for each cohort.
Real-Time Data Refresh
Given new survey responses are received, When the HR manager clicks the ‘Refresh’ button or after 15 minutes elapse, Then the dashboard data refreshes automatically to include the latest responses.

HeatLens

Overlay an interactive sentiment heatmap directly onto your organizational chart, with adjustable opacity and threshold filters, so leaders can instantly visualize high- and low-morale zones without leaving the familiar org structure.

Requirements

Heatmap Overlay Integration
"As an HR manager, I want to see sentiment heat zones directly on the org chart so that I can quickly identify areas needing attention without leaving my visualization interface."
Description

Enable seamless overlay of sentiment heatmap onto the existing organizational chart, ensuring the heatmap layers align with chart nodes and update dynamically. This integration allows leaders to view morale zones directly within the familiar org structure without context switching, streamlining sentiment analysis workflows.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Heatmap Overlay Activation
Given an HR manager is viewing the organizational chart page When the manager toggles on the “Enable Heatmap Overlay” control Then the sentiment heatmap layer appears aligned with each chart node within 2 seconds And the heatmap colors accurately reflect the latest sentiment data from micro-surveys
Dynamic Heatmap Update on Sentiment Change
Given real-time micro-survey responses update sentiment scores When new sentiment data is received by the system Then the heatmap overlay updates automatically within 5 seconds without requiring a page refresh And the updated colors correspond correctly to the new sentiment values
Adjustable Opacity and Threshold Filters
Given the heatmap overlay is active on the org chart When the user adjusts the opacity slider or sets a sentiment threshold filter Then the overlay opacity changes immediately to the selected level And only nodes with sentiment scores meeting the filter criteria are highlighted And the alignment of heatmap cells remains precise
Performance Under High Node Count
Given an organizational chart containing over 1,000 nodes When the heatmap overlay is enabled or filters are modified Then the overlay renders within 3 seconds And no JavaScript errors or performance warnings appear in the console
Cross-Browser Compatibility
Given users access the org chart in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari When the heatmap overlay is toggled on or filters are adjusted Then the overlay functionality and node alignment behave identically across all supported browsers And no layout distortions occur
Disable Heatmap Overlay Restores Original Chart
Given the heatmap overlay is currently active When the user toggles off the heatmap overlay control Then the organizational chart reverts immediately to its original appearance without any residual heatmap artifacts And all chart node interactions (hover, click) function as before
Opacity Control Slider
"As a team leader, I want to adjust the heatmap transparency so that I can view both the sentiment data and org chart details clearly."
Description

Provide a user-adjustable opacity slider for the heatmap layer, allowing users to fine-tune transparency levels and balance visibility between the underlying org chart and sentiment overlay. The control should be intuitive and responsive, offering precise adjustments to suit varying viewing preferences.

Acceptance Criteria
Adjusting Opacity for Optimal Visibility
Given the user opens the heatmap overlay, when the user drags the opacity slider to any position between 0% and 100%, then the heatmap opacity updates in real time within 200ms to reflect the slider value.
Ensuring Minimum and Maximum Limits
Given the slider is at its minimum position, when the user releases the slider, then the heatmap overlay is completely transparent (0% opacity); and given the slider is at its maximum position, when released, then the heatmap overlay is fully opaque (100% opacity).
Persistence Across Sessions
Given a user sets a custom opacity value and closes the application or refreshes the page, when the user returns, then the slider and heatmap overlay opacity should be restored to the last saved value.
Accessibility Compliance
Given the user navigates the slider using keyboard only, when the user focuses on and uses arrow keys or PageUp/PageDown, then the slider moves in 1% increments and all controls have appropriate ARIA labels and focus indicators.
Smooth Slider Movement and Precision Control
Given the user drags the slider thumb, when the user moves it slowly or in small steps, then the opacity value changes smoothly in increments of 1% without jumps, and the slider thumb accurately reflects the value.
Sentiment Threshold Filtering
"As an HR analyst, I want to filter sentiment data by threshold so that I can focus on employees experiencing the most extreme morale changes."
Description

Implement threshold filter controls enabling users to set minimum and maximum sentiment values for visualization. Users can highlight only high or low sentiment zones by adjusting thresholds, facilitating focus on critical morale areas and reducing visual clutter.

Acceptance Criteria
Applying Minimum Sentiment Threshold
Given the user opens the threshold filter controls When the user sets the minimum sentiment slider to 75% Then only organizational nodes with sentiment values ≥75% remain highlighted on the heatmap and all others are visually de-emphasized
Applying Maximum Sentiment Threshold
Given the user opens the threshold filter controls When the user sets the maximum sentiment slider to 25% Then only organizational nodes with sentiment values ≤25% remain highlighted on the heatmap and all others are visually de-emphasized
Applying Both Minimum and Maximum Thresholds
Given the user sets a minimum threshold of 40% and a maximum threshold of 60% When the thresholds are applied Then only nodes with sentiment values between 40% and 60% are highlighted and nodes outside this range are hidden or greyed out
Resetting Threshold Filters to Default
Given the user has modified one or both sentiment thresholds When the user clicks the “Reset to Default” button Then both minimum and maximum sliders return to 0% and 100% respectively and all nodes on the heatmap are restored to their original visualization
Threshold Settings Persistence Across Sessions
Given the user has applied custom sentiment thresholds When the user reloads the application or returns to the HeatLens feature within 24 hours Then the previously set minimum and maximum thresholds are automatically re-applied and the heatmap reflects those settings
Interactive Org Chart Navigation
"As an executive, I want to navigate large org charts with the heatmap applied so that I can explore sentiment details across different teams and levels."
Description

Allow users to pan, zoom, and expand/collapse sections of the org chart with the heatmap overlay intact. Navigation controls must maintain heatmap alignment and performance, ensuring smooth interaction even on large organizational structures.

Acceptance Criteria
Pan and Zoom Functionality
Given the org chart with heatmap overlay When the user pans the chart using drag controls Then the chart and heatmap move together smoothly without any visual misalignment And panning latency does not exceed 100ms for up to 5000 nodes
Expand and Collapse Department Nodes
Given a collapsed department node When the user clicks its expand icon Then child nodes appear in place with the heatmap overlay correctly aligned Within 200ms of the click And clicking collapse hides child nodes and reflows the heatmap accordingly
Heatmap Alignment Preservation
Given any combination of pan, zoom, expand, and collapse actions When the user navigates the org chart Then the heatmap overlay maintains exact correspondence with each node’s position And no pixel drift is observed at any zoom level
Performance under High Load
Given an org chart containing up to 10,000 nodes with heatmap data When the user performs pan, zoom, or collapse/expand actions Then each action completes within 200ms Without frame drops or stutters
Touch and Gesture Navigation Support
Given the org chart displayed on a touch-enabled device When the user uses pinch-to-zoom and swipe gestures Then the chart and heatmap respond accurately to multi-touch inputs Maintaining alignment and performance consistent with mouse controls
Live Sentiment Data Sync
"As an HR manager, I want the heatmap to update in real time after micro-survey responses so that I can monitor sentiment shifts as they happen."
Description

Ensure real-time synchronization of sentiment data with the heatmap overlay by integrating with the AI-driven micro-survey engine. Updates should reflect within seconds of survey completion, providing leaders with up-to-date morale insights.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-Time Update after Survey Submission
Given an employee submits a micro-survey in Slack or Teams When the submission is recorded by the AI-driven survey engine Then the sentiment heatmap overlay updates within 5 seconds to reflect the new sentiment score
Batch Update Resilience during High Load
Given 100 or more survey responses are processed concurrently When the system receives the last response Then all new sentiment data is synchronized to the heatmap overlay with no missing entries and within 10 seconds
Data Integrity for Duplicate Survey Responses
Given a user accidentally submits the same micro-survey twice When both responses are processed Then the heatmap overlay only reflects a single sentiment update per unique survey ID, preventing duplicate entries
Latency Monitoring under Network Constraints
Given simulated network latency of up to 500ms per request When the system syncs sentiment data Then end-to-end sync time does not exceed 8 seconds and no errors are logged
Secure Data Transmission to Org Chart Overlay
Given sentiment data is transmitted from the micro-survey engine to the org chart service When the data is in transit Then it must be encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher, and transmission logs include successful handshake and encryption markers
Detailed Hover Tooltips
"As a department head, I want to hover over a team on the heatmap and see detailed sentiment statistics so that I can understand underlying data quickly."
Description

Display contextual tooltips on hover over heatmap nodes, revealing detailed metrics such as average sentiment score, response count, and trend indicators. Tooltips should be formatted clearly and appear without delay to aid rapid data interpretation.

Acceptance Criteria
Instant Tooltip Visibility
Given a user hovers over a heatmap node, When the cursor enters the node boundary, Then the tooltip appears within 200ms at the correct position without flicker or delay.
Accurate Metric Display
Given a hovered node representing a team, When the tooltip is displayed, Then it shows the correct average sentiment score, response count, and 7-day trend indicator matching the underlying data.
Consistent Tooltip Formatting
Given the tooltip is visible, When displayed alongside other UI elements, Then it follows the design system’s typography, colors, spacing, and icon usage guidelines exactly as specified.
Persistent Interaction Zone
Given the tooltip is visible, When the user moves the cursor between the node and the tooltip, Then the tooltip remains visible and does not flicker or disappear unexpectedly.
Seamless Tooltip Dismissal
Given the tooltip is visible, When the cursor leaves both the node and the tooltip area, Then the tooltip disappears within 100ms without impacting other UI elements.
Export Heatmap View
"As an HR director, I want to export the heatmap view as a PDF so that I can include it in stakeholder reports."
Description

Provide export functionality allowing users to download the current heatmap overlay and org chart as an image or PDF. Exports should preserve visual fidelity, including applied filters and opacity settings, for sharing in reports and presentations.

Acceptance Criteria
Export current heatmap as PNG
Given the user has the heatmap overlay visible and has clicked the Export button and chosen “PNG”, When the export process completes, Then a PNG file is downloaded containing the full org chart with the heatmap overlay rendered exactly as shown on screen at a minimum of 300 DPI resolution.
Export heatmap as PDF
Given the user selects “Export” and chooses “PDF”, When the PDF is generated, Then the file preserves the layout, chart elements, heatmap colors, and can be opened and viewed correctly in standard PDF viewers without distortion.
Export with applied filters
Given the user has applied threshold and department filters to the heatmap, When exporting to image or PDF, Then only nodes and overlay regions matching the active filters appear in the exported file, while excluded nodes are hidden or displayed as per UI.
Export preserving opacity settings
Given the user adjusts the heatmap opacity slider to a custom value, When the export is performed, Then the exported file’s heatmap overlay maintains the exact opacity percentage chosen in the UI.
Export large org charts
Given an org chart with over 200 nodes, When the user exports to PDF, Then the chart is either auto-scaled to fit pages or split into multiple pages such that all nodes are legible at no less than 150 DPI.

TimePulse Slider

Use a dynamic timeline slider to scrub through historical sentiment data and animate changes over days, weeks, or months, allowing managers to detect trends, patterns, and emerging issues with a simple drag-and-play interface.

Requirements

Dynamic Timeline Slider UI
"As an HR manager, I want an interactive timeline slider that I can drag to view sentiment data for specific periods so that I can quickly identify trends and patterns over time."
Description

Implementation of an interactive slider UI component allowing managers to scrub through historical sentiment data by days, weeks, or months, visually indicating the selected timeframe and integrating seamlessly into the dashboard interface.

Acceptance Criteria
Default Timeline View on Dashboard Load
Given the dashboard loads, when the user opens the slider, then it defaults to the last 7 days timeframe, the label displays the correct start and end dates, and the sentiment chart shows only data points within that period.
Adjust Timeframe Granularity by Days
Given the user drags the slider handle to select a new date range within days, when the handle is released, then the sentiment chart updates immediately to reflect data for the chosen start and end dates at daily granularity.
Switch Between Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Intervals
Given the user selects a granularity toggle (Daily, Weekly, Monthly), when a new granularity is selected, then the slider step size adjusts accordingly and the chart data aggregates and displays sentiment data at the selected interval.
Play Animation Through Historical Data
Given the user clicks the play button on the slider, when the animation runs, then the slider automatically advances through each day (or selected interval) at one-second intervals, the chart updates in sync, and the animation stops when reaching the end of the available data or when the user clicks pause.
Keyboard Accessibility for Time Slider
Given the slider has focus, when the user presses the left or right arrow keys, then the handle moves one step in the selected granularity, the chart updates to reflect the new timeframe, and a screen reader announces the updated date range.
Animation Playback Controls
"As an HR manager, I want playback controls for automated animation of sentiment data so that I can monitor historical trends hands-free and spot significant shifts."
Description

Provide play, pause, forward, and rewind controls to animate sentiment data changes across the selected timeframe, enabling users to observe evolving patterns without manual interaction.

Acceptance Criteria
Play Button Initiates Animation
Given the animation is paused and a timeframe is selected, when the user clicks the Play control, then the timeline slider animates through each date at the default speed and the Play icon changes to a Pause icon.
Pause Button Halts Animation
Given the animation is playing, when the user clicks the Pause control, then the timeline slider stops on the current date and the Pause icon changes to a Play icon.
Forward Button Advances by One Interval
Given the animation is paused at a date within the timeframe, when the user clicks the Forward control, then the timeline slider moves forward by one interval and displays the corresponding sentiment data.
Rewind Button Moves Back by One Interval
Given the animation is paused at a date within the timeframe, when the user clicks the Rewind control, then the timeline slider moves backward by one interval and displays the corresponding sentiment data.
Animation Stops at End of Timeframe
Given the animation is playing, when the timeline slider reaches the end date of the selected timeframe, then the animation stops automatically and the Pause icon changes back to a Play icon.
Data Granularity Selector
"As an HR manager, I want to switch between daily, weekly, and monthly data views so that I can analyze sentiment dynamics at varying levels of detail."
Description

Allow users to toggle data granularity between daily, weekly, and monthly aggregated sentiment views, updating the slider scale and animations accordingly to suit different analysis needs.

Acceptance Criteria
Daily Granularity Toggle
Given the user is viewing the TimePulse Slider When the user selects 'Daily' in the Data Granularity Selector Then the slider scale updates to show daily intervals And the animation plays back daily aggregated sentiment data
Weekly Granularity Toggle
Given the user is viewing the TimePulse Slider When the user selects 'Weekly' in the Data Granularity Selector Then the slider scale updates to show weekly intervals starting on Monday And the animation plays back weekly aggregated sentiment data
Monthly Granularity Toggle
Given the user is viewing the TimePulse Slider When the user selects 'Monthly' in the Data Granularity Selector Then the slider scale updates to show monthly intervals labeled by month name And the animation plays back monthly aggregated sentiment data
Granularity Persistence on Page Reload
Given the user previously selected a granularity option When the user reloads or revisits the page Then the Data Granularity Selector retains the last chosen setting And the slider scale and animation default to that granularity
Slider Responsiveness to Granularity Change
Given the user switches between any two granularity options When the new granularity is selected Then the slider updates its scale and playback within one second And no sentiment data points are missing or duplicated during transition
Performance Optimization for Large Datasets
"As an HR manager, I want the slider to respond instantly without lag when working with extensive sentiment history so that my analysis workflow remains uninterrupted."
Description

Implement client-side caching and lazy loading of sentiment data slices to ensure smooth slider interactions and animations even when handling large historical datasets.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial Data Load Optimization
Given the manager opens the TimePulse Slider for the first time, when the interface initializes, then the first 7 days of sentiment data are loaded and displayed within 2 seconds.
Lazy Loading on Slider Scrub
Given the manager drags the slider beyond the pre-cached data range, when the slider reaches the next time window, then the next data slice loads in the background and is rendered within 500ms.
Cache Reuse on Frequent Navigation
Given the manager scrubs back to a previously viewed time range, when the slider moves to a cached segment, then the data displays instantly without initiating a new network request.
Handling Slow Network Recovery
Given intermittent network conditions, when a data slice fails to load within 1 second, then a loading spinner appears and the system retries fetching up to 3 times before displaying an error message.
Memory Usage Constraint
The client-side cache maintains no more than 30 data slices; when the cache exceeds this limit, the least recently used slice is evicted to free memory.
Responsive and Accessible Design
"As a visually impaired user, I want keyboard-accessible slider controls with proper ARIA labels so that I can navigate and use the feature effectively."
Description

Ensure the timeline slider and its controls are fully responsive across device sizes and meet accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1), including keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.

Acceptance Criteria
Responsive Layout on Various Screen Sizes
Given the user opens the TimePulse Slider on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices, when the viewport width changes between common breakpoints (320px, 768px, 1024px, 1440px), then the slider and its controls must resize and reposition without overlap or horizontal scroll.
Keyboard Navigation for Slider Controls
Given a keyboard-only user focuses on the TimePulse Slider, when they press Tab to navigate to the slider handle and arrow keys to scrub through the timeline, then the slider must move in single-day increments and announce the current date and sentiment level via screen reader.
Screen Reader Announcements
Given a screen reader is active, when the user interacts with the TimePulse Slider handle or play/pause button, then the screen reader must announce contextual labels (e.g., 'Sentiment on June 1: Positive') and control states ('Play', 'Pause').
High Contrast and Colorblind Accessibility
Given a user has enabled high-contrast mode or uses colorblind-friendly settings, when viewing the TimePulse Slider and its controls, then all interactive elements must meet a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio and use distinguishable patterns or shapes in addition to color.
Touch Interaction on Mobile Devices
Given the user interacts with the TimePulse Slider on a touch-enabled device, when swiping or tapping the slider handle, then the slider must respond smoothly to touch gestures and accurately update the displayed date and sentiment data.

DepthDive Explorer

Click on any department or team node to drill down into detailed sentiment analytics, including aggregate scores, response rates, common feedback themes, and individual outlier flags, empowering deeper investigation on demand.

Requirements

Interactive Node Drilldown
"As an HR manager, I want to click on a department or team node to view detailed sentiment analytics so that I can quickly investigate areas of concern without leaving the main dashboard."
Description

Enable users to click on any department or team node within the DepthDive Explorer to reveal detailed sentiment analytics for that specific group. The drilldown view should display aggregate sentiment scores, historical trends, response rates, common feedback themes, and individual outlier flags, all within the same interface. This functionality integrates seamlessly with the existing visualization and provides on-demand depth without navigating away from the main dashboard.

Acceptance Criteria
Department Node Drilldown Display
Given the user is on the DepthDive Explorer main dashboard and a department node is visible When the user clicks on the department node Then a drilldown panel opens within the same interface displaying: Aggregate sentiment score, six-month historical trend chart, current response rate, top common feedback themes, and outlier flags for individual responses without page reload
Team Node Drilldown Display
Given the user views the DepthDive Explorer with team nodes rendered When the user clicks on a specific team node Then a drilldown panel reveals for that team: aggregate sentiment score, three-month trend chart, response rate percentage, list of common feedback themes, and highlighted outlier responses, all within the current dashboard
Historical Trend Visualization Verification
Given a department or team has survey data spanning multiple periods When the drilldown view is displayed Then the historical trend chart correctly plots sentiment scores for each period, matching backend data points with tooltips showing date and score on hover
Response Rate Calculation Accuracy
Given the total surveys sent and responses received for a group When the drilldown panel shows the response rate Then the displayed percentage equals (responses received ÷ surveys sent × 100) rounded to one decimal place and matches server-calculated values
Outlier Flag Highlighting
Given individual survey responses in the drilldown display When a response’s sentiment score is more than one standard deviation from the group mean Then a flag icon appears next to the response with a tooltip 'Outlier: X% deviation'
Real-Time Data Refresh
"As an HR manager, I want the sentiment data to update automatically so that I have the latest insights without manually refreshing the interface."
Description

Implement a real-time data refresh mechanism that updates sentiment analytics in the DepthDive Explorer every 60 seconds. The system should automatically fetch the latest micro-survey responses and recalculate aggregate scores, trends, and outlier flags, displaying them without requiring a manual page reload. This ensures that HR managers always see the most current data for timely decision-making.

Acceptance Criteria
Department Node Refresh
Given the user is viewing a department node in the DepthDive Explorer When 60 seconds have passed since the last update Then the system shall fetch new micro-survey responses and update aggregate sentiment scores, response rates, and outlier flags without requiring a page reload
Team Node Real-Time Update
Given the user drills down into a team node When the 60-second refresh interval elapses Then the application shall retrieve the latest responses and recalculate team-level sentiment analytics and display them immediately
Smooth UI Refresh
Given the DepthDive Explorer is active When new data is fetched on schedule Then the UI must update the displayed metrics and visual elements seamlessly without flicker or layout shifts
No New Data Handling
Given no new survey responses have been received in the last 60 seconds When the refresh interval triggers Then the system shall perform a data check and maintain the current displayed values without error
Data Fetch Error Recovery
Given a network or API error occurs during the scheduled fetch When the error is detected Then the system shall display a non-intrusive error indicator, retry the fetch up to three times, and resume normal refresh operation upon success
Aggregate Sentiment Metrics
"As an HR manager, I want to see aggregate sentiment metrics for a selected team so that I can assess overall morale quickly."
Description

Display key aggregate sentiment metrics—such as average sentiment score, trend direction, and comparison to previous periods—within the drilldown panel. These metrics should be visually emphasized and accompanied by tooltips explaining their significance. Integrating these metrics directly into the drilldown helps users grasp overall team sentiment at a glance.

Acceptance Criteria
Dashboard Drilldown Panel Display
Given an HR manager clicks on a department node in the explorer, When the drilldown panel opens, Then it displays the average sentiment score, trend direction indicator, and comparison to the previous period, all visually emphasized within the first fold of the panel.
Metric Tooltip Visibility
Given the drilldown panel is open, When the user hovers over any aggregate metric (average sentiment, trend direction, comparison), Then a tooltip appears within 500ms explaining the metric’s significance, with text matching the documented definitions.
Trend Comparison Accuracy
Given sentiment data for the current and previous periods is available, When the system calculates trend direction, Then the trend arrow correctly points up for positive change, down for negative change, and neutral when change is within ±1%, based on the calculated percentage delta.
Previous Period Comparison Emphasis
Given the drilldown panel displays comparison to previous periods, When the comparison value is rendered, Then the previous period’s score is shown next to the current score, and the percentage difference is colored green for improvements and red for declines.
Response Rate Metric Calculation
Given response data for the selected team is retrieved, When the response rate metric is calculated, Then it equals (number of responses / number of survey invitations)×100%, rounded to the nearest whole number, and matches the backend report within a 1% margin of error.
Response Rate Visualization
"As an HR manager, I want to view response rate trends for a team so that I can monitor engagement and identify when participation dips."
Description

Incorporate a response rate chart within the drilldown view that shows the percentage of invited employees who completed micro-surveys over time. The chart should support time-range filtering and overlay response counts or percentages. This helps HR managers understand participation levels and identify periods of low engagement.

Acceptance Criteria
Default Time Range Display
Given the HR manager opens the DepthDive drilldown view, Then the response rate chart loads with data for the last 30 days, displaying daily response rate percentages with proper axis labels and a legend indicating metric definitions.
Custom Time Range Filtering
Given the HR manager selects a custom start and end date, When the filter is applied, Then the chart updates within 2 seconds to show response rate percentages for each day within the selected range, and the selected dates are reflected in the chart header.
Percentage and Count Overlay
Given the HR manager toggles on the 'Show Counts' overlay, Then each data point on the chart displays both the response rate percentage and the total number of completed surveys, and toggling off removes the counts while keeping the percentage view intact.
Low Participation Indicator
Given any daily response rate falls below 20%, Then the corresponding data point is highlighted in red, and hovering over the point displays a tooltip stating the exact percentage, count, and the message 'Low participation detected'.
No Data Placeholder
Given the selected time range contains no survey invitations, Then the chart area displays a 'No data available for the selected period' message centered, with gridlines and axes hidden.
Automated Theme Extraction
"As an HR manager, I want to see the most frequent feedback themes for a team so that I can address common concerns proactively."
Description

Introduce an AI-powered theme extraction module that analyzes open-text feedback for the selected node and surfaces the top common themes with sentiment polarity. The module should list themes with representative comments and show theme frequency. Integrating this with DepthDive Explorer allows managers to quickly pinpoint underlying causes of sentiment shifts.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Extracted Themes for a Selected Node
Given a department or team node is selected in DepthDive Explorer, when the AI-powered theme extraction module is triggered, then the top five themes with sentiment polarity are displayed above the sentiment chart.
Displaying Theme Frequency and Representative Comments
When themes are extracted, then each theme displays the frequency count, sentiment polarity indicator, and at least one representative comment in the themes panel.
Handling High-Volume Feedback
Given a node with more than 100 open-text responses, when the module runs, then it processes all responses within 5 seconds and displays all themes without truncation.
Updating Themes on Node Change
When the manager selects a different node, then the theme list and associated data refresh automatically within 3 seconds with no stale data.
Error Handling for Theme Extraction Failures
Given the AI service returns an error or times out, when extraction fails, then an error message 'Theme extraction unavailable. Please retry.' is shown and the themes panel retains previous valid data.
Outlier Response Flagging
"As an HR manager, I want to identify extreme feedback responses so that I can investigate potential issues or successes in depth."
Description

Highlight individual outlier responses—both very positive and very negative—within the drilldown panel, flagging them for review. Outliers should be indicated with visual markers and expandable to show full response details and respondent anonymity settings. This feature allows managers to spot extreme feedback that may require immediate attention.

Acceptance Criteria
Flag Positive Outliers
Given the drilldown panel displays individual responses and sentiment scores, When a response’s sentiment score falls within the top 10% of all responses in the selected department, Then a positive outlier marker must appear adjacent to that response entry.
Flag Negative Outliers
Given the drilldown panel displays individual responses and sentiment scores, When a response’s sentiment score falls within the bottom 10% of all responses in the selected department, Then a negative outlier marker must appear adjacent to that response entry.
Expand Outlier Details
Given an outlier marker is visible next to a response, When the user clicks on the outlier marker, Then the full response text must expand in-place below the original entry and remain visible until collapsed by the user.
Display Anonymity Settings
Given an expanded outlier response detail is displayed, When the response anonymity setting is Public or Private, Then an anonymity icon with tooltip must be shown next to the respondent information indicating the correct setting.
Visual Marker Accessibility
Given positive and negative outlier markers are displayed, Then their color contrast ratio against the panel background must be at least 4.5:1 and each marker must include an accessible label for screen readers.

Snapshot Scheduler

Automatically generate, archive, and distribute heatmap snapshots at customizable intervals or key milestones, so stakeholders receive up-to-date sentiment reports via email or Slack without manual effort.

Requirements

Schedule Configuration
"As an HR manager, I want to set custom schedules and milestones for sentiment snapshots so that I receive timely, relevant reports without having to trigger them manually."
Description

Provide an interface for HR managers to define custom snapshot generation intervals (daily, weekly, monthly) and key milestones (e.g., quarterly reviews) within PulseCheck, ensuring automated heatmap snapshots are generated at desired times without manual intervention.

Acceptance Criteria
Custom Interval Setup
Given an HR manager selects one or more predefined intervals (daily, weekly, monthly) on the Schedule Configuration UI, when the manager clicks Save, then the system persists the selections and schedules snapshot generation jobs at the start of each selected interval.
Milestone-Based Scheduling
Given an HR manager defines a milestone with a name and date (e.g., Quarterly Review on June 30, 2025), when the milestone date occurs, then the system automatically triggers snapshot generation and archives the result.
Snapshot Time Zone Handling
Given an HR manager’s account time zone is set to a specific locale, when schedules run (interval or milestone), then snapshots are generated and timestamped according to the manager’s local time zone.
Schedule Persistence and Editing
Given a previously saved schedule exists, when the HR manager returns to the Schedule Configuration interface, then all existing interval and milestone settings are displayed correctly and the manager can modify or delete any schedule, with changes taking effect on subsequent runs.
Notification Delivery of Generated Snapshots
Given a scheduled snapshot is generated, when the generation completes successfully, then the system sends an email with an embedded heatmap or link to configured stakeholders and posts a notification message in the designated Slack channel.
Heatmap Snapshot Generation
"As an HR manager, I want the system to produce ready-to-share heatmap snapshots so that I can quickly distribute clear sentiment insights to stakeholders."
Description

Automatically generate high-resolution heatmap snapshots of employee sentiment data at scheduled intervals or milestones, converting in-app visuals into shareable image or PDF formats, ensuring consistency and clarity in every report.

Acceptance Criteria
Scheduled Interval Snapshot Generation
Given the admin has configured a daily snapshot schedule at 08:00 AM When the system clock reaches the scheduled time Then a high-resolution heatmap snapshot is automatically generated and stored in the snapshot archive within 30 seconds And the snapshot file is in PNG format at a minimum of 300 DPI
Milestone-Based Snapshot Generation
Given the project reaches specified participant milestones (50, 75, 100) When any milestone threshold is met Then the system triggers automatic snapshot generation tagged with the milestone identifier And the generated snapshot is archived and flagged for distribution
High-Resolution Output Validation
Given a heatmap snapshot has been generated When the snapshot is opened in an external viewer Then image outputs are at least 300 DPI and PDF outputs at 1080p resolution And all heatmap elements (labels, legends, data points) are clearly legible and color-accurate
Email Distribution of Snapshot
Given a snapshot generation event When email distribution is enabled Then an email with the snapshot attached is delivered to all configured recipients within 2 minutes And the email subject line includes the snapshot date and time stamp
Slack Distribution of Snapshot
Given a snapshot generation event When Slack distribution is enabled Then a message is posted to the configured Slack channel within 2 minutes And the snapshot file (image or PDF) is attached with a contextual summary and timestamp
Snapshot Archival & Storage
"As an administrator, I want past snapshots archived with metadata so that I can track sentiment trends historically and retrieve any report on demand."
Description

Implement a secure archival system to store every generated snapshot in a centralized repository, complete with metadata (timestamp, schedule, milestone), enabling easy retrieval, version comparison, and auditability over time.

Acceptance Criteria
Scheduled Interval Archival
Given an administrator has configured a daily snapshot schedule at a specified time, When the scheduled time occurs, Then the system automatically generates the sentiment heatmap snapshot, archives it in the centralized repository within five minutes, and attaches accurate timestamp and schedule ID metadata.
Milestone Triggered Snapshot Storage
Given a project milestone event is defined by the administrator, When the milestone event is reached, Then the system immediately generates and archives the corresponding snapshot tagged with the milestone name, event timestamp, and related metadata.
Metadata Integrity and Accessibility
Given a snapshot has been archived, When a user requests its metadata via the repository API, Then the system returns complete and accurate metadata fields (timestamp, schedule ID, milestone), and schema validation confirms data integrity.
Version Comparison Retrieval
Given multiple snapshots exist for the same team, When a user selects two snapshot versions for comparison, Then the system retrieves both archives, generates a side-by-side heatmap diff, and allows the user to download the comparison report.
Secure Access Control and Audit Trail
Given a user with appropriate repository permissions, When the user accesses or attempts to access archived snapshots, Then the system authenticates the user, enforces access controls, logs the access event with user ID, action, and timestamp, and denies unauthorized requests.
Distribution Channel Integration
"As an HR manager, I want to choose where snapshots are sent (email, Slack, Teams) so that the right stakeholders receive updates in their preferred communication platform."
Description

Enable configuration of distribution channels—including email lists, Slack channels, and Microsoft Teams—allowing HR managers to select recipients and customize message templates for automatic dispatch of snapshots once generated.

Acceptance Criteria
Configuring Email Distribution Channel
Given an authenticated HR manager and a generated snapshot, when the manager selects the Email distribution channel, adds a valid email list, customizes the subject and body template, and clicks Save, then the system schedules the snapshot email dispatch at the configured interval using the provided template and displays a confirmation message.
Configuring Slack Channel Distribution
Given an authenticated HR manager and a generated snapshot, when the manager connects a Slack workspace, selects a channel, customizes the message template, and clicks Save, then the system schedules and posts the snapshot to the chosen Slack channel at the configured interval with correct formatting and displays a confirmation message.
Configuring Microsoft Teams Distribution
Given an authenticated HR manager and a generated snapshot, when the manager connects a Microsoft Teams workspace, selects a team and channel, customizes the message template, and clicks Save, then the system schedules and sends the snapshot to the selected Teams channel at the configured interval with proper card formatting and displays a confirmation message.
Editing Existing Distribution Settings
Given existing distribution channel configurations, when the manager updates recipients or message templates and clicks Save, then the system persists the changes, applies them to subsequent snapshot dispatches, and logs the configuration update with a success notification.
Removing a Distribution Channel
Given existing distribution channels, when the manager deletes a channel configuration and confirms the removal, then the system removes the channel from the distribution list, prevents further dispatches to that channel, and displays a removal confirmation message.
Delivery Notifications & Alerts
"As an HR manager, I want to be notified when a snapshot is successfully delivered or if delivery fails so that I can take corrective action immediately."
Description

Implement notification mechanisms to confirm successful delivery or report failures of snapshot dispatches, providing real-time alerts to HR managers and system admins, with retry logic and error logging to ensure reliability.

Acceptance Criteria
Successful Snapshot Delivery Confirmation
Given a snapshot is dispatched successfully, when delivery is completed, then the system sends a confirmation notification to the HR manager via both email and Slack within one minute including snapshot ID and timestamp.
Failed Snapshot Dispatch Alert
Given a snapshot dispatch failure (e.g., network or server error), when the system detects the failure, then the system sends an alert notification to the HR manager and system admin via email and Slack within two minutes including error code and failure reason.
Automated Retry on Dispatch Failure
Given a snapshot dispatch attempt fails, when retry logic is triggered, then the system retries dispatch up to three times with exponential backoff intervals and logs each retry attempt.
Error Logging and Audit Trail Validation
Given any dispatch failure or retry event, when the event occurs, then the system logs the event details (timestamp, error code, description, retry count) in the audit log accessible via the admin dashboard.
Multi-Channel Real-Time Alert Routing
Given a notification (success or failure) is generated, when delivery status changes, then the system simultaneously routes the notification to configured channels (email, Slack, Teams) and confirms delivery success for each channel.

Insight Beacon

Leverage AI to highlight departments experiencing significant mood shifts or sustained low sentiment, and receive tailored action recommendations—such as targeted micro-surveys or recognition campaigns—to address issues proactively.

Requirements

Real-time Department Sentiment Analysis
"As an HR manager, I want to see up-to-date sentiment scores for each department so that I can identify early signs of disengagement and address them promptly."
Description

Implement a system that continuously gathers micro-survey responses from Slack and Teams, aggregates sentiment scores by department, and detects significant mood shifts in near real-time. This feature will integrate with the existing PulseCheck data pipeline, applying natural language processing to sentiment data and updating departmental metrics every 15 minutes. The outcome provides HR managers with up-to-date sentiment insights, enabling quick identification of emerging issues before they escalate.

Acceptance Criteria
Frequent Departmental Sentiment Aggregation
Given new micro-survey responses from Slack and Teams, when 15 minutes have elapsed, then the system aggregates sentiment scores by department and updates the sentiment database within 2 minutes.
Real-time Mood Shift Alert
Given continuous sentiment scoring for a department, when the average sentiment shifts by ±10% compared to the previous hour, then an automated alert is generated and delivered to the HR dashboard within 1 minute.
Accurate Sentiment Classification
Given a validated test set of micro-survey responses with known sentiment labels, when processed by the NLP engine, then the sentiment classification accuracy must be at least 85%.
Seamless Data Pipeline Integration
Given new survey response data, when ingested into the existing PulseCheck pipeline, then 100% of incoming records must be processed by the sentiment analysis module without any errors or data loss.
Up-to-Date HR Dashboard
Given newly processed sentiment metrics, when the dashboard refreshes, then all departmental sentiment graphs and summary statistics must reflect the latest data within 3 minutes of processing completion.
AI-Powered Action Recommendations
"As an HR manager, I want personalized action recommendations when sentiment drops in a department so that I can implement effective interventions quickly."
Description

Develop an AI engine that analyzes identified sentiment trends and correlates them with best-practice interventions—such as targeted micro-surveys, one-click recognition campaigns, or team-building suggestions. The engine should generate tailored recommendations for each department experiencing low or shifting sentiment, prioritize actions based on predicted impact, and surface these recommendations within the Insight Beacon interface. This ensures managers receive context-specific guidance to boost morale effectively.

Acceptance Criteria
Personalized Departmental Recommendations
Given a department with a sentiment score decline of ≥10% over a rolling 7-day period and a net sentiment score below the defined threshold, when the AI engine runs its analysis, then it must generate at least one tailored action recommendation (micro-survey, recognition campaign, or team-building suggestion) specific to that department, including a rationale for the chosen intervention.
Action Prioritization by Impact
Given multiple departments flagged for low or shifting sentiment, when recommendations are generated, then the AI engine must rank suggested actions in descending order of predicted positive impact, with impact scores visible to the manager and the top three actions clearly identified.
Insight Beacon Display Integration
Given generated recommendations for one or more departments, when the manager opens the Insight Beacon interface, then each department’s recommendations must be displayed under its sentiment chart, showing action type, priority ranking, and an expandable details section.
Recommendation Execution Workflow
Given a manager selects a recommended action in the Insight Beacon, when they click the action button, then the system must initiate the corresponding workflow (e.g., send a micro-survey, launch a recognition campaign) with default parameters and display a confirmation message.
AI Recommendation Accuracy Validation
Given a historical dataset of sentiment trends and known successful interventions, when validating the AI engine, then the system must achieve at least 80% alignment between AI-generated recommendations and interventions that previously yielded measurable sentiment improvement.
Threshold-Based Alert System
"As an HR manager, I want to receive timely alerts when a department's sentiment drops below a critical level so that I can take immediate action."
Description

Create a configurable alert mechanism that triggers notifications when departmental sentiment crosses predefined thresholds or shows sustained deviations over a set period. Alerts should be delivered via Slack or Teams, include summary of sentiment change, and link to relevant insights in PulseCheck. Admins must be able to set thresholds, notification channels, and frequency to balance sensitivity and noise. This feature empowers managers to stay informed without constant monitoring.

Acceptance Criteria
Immediate Alert on Sentiment Drop
Given an admin has configured a sentiment threshold for a department, When the department’s real-time sentiment score falls below the threshold, Then the system sends a notification to the designated Slack or Teams channel within 5 minutes containing the summary of sentiment change and a link to detailed insights.
Sustained Deviation Monitoring
Given an admin has set a deviation threshold and monitoring period, When the department’s sentiment deviates beyond the threshold for the entire configured period, Then the system sends a single aggregated alert at the end of the period with the summary of changes and link to insights.
Configurable Threshold Management
Given an admin navigates to the threshold settings, When they create or modify a threshold value between -100 and 100 and save, Then the new threshold is persisted, validated, and reflected in the alert engine.
Notification Channel Configuration
Given an admin is in notification settings, When they select a Slack workspace or Teams channel and save configuration, Then the system validates the channel by sending a test alert and displays success confirmation.
Alert Frequency Control
Given an admin has defined a minimum interval between alerts, When multiple threshold breaches occur within the interval, Then the system suppresses additional alerts until the interval has elapsed.
Interactive Sentiment Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want an interactive dashboard to explore sentiment trends across teams so that I can understand issues and share data-driven insights with leadership."
Description

Build an interactive visualization within Insight Beacon that displays sentiment trends over time for each department, team, or location. The dashboard should offer filter options (e.g., date range, sentiment category), drill-down capabilities to view underlying survey responses, and comparative views between groups. This visual context helps HR managers and executives quickly grasp sentiment dynamics, track the effectiveness of interventions, and communicate insights to stakeholders.

Acceptance Criteria
Filter Sentiment Trends by Date Range
Given the HR manager is on the Dashboard page, When they select a start and end date in the date range filter, Then the sentiment trend charts update to display data exclusively within the selected range and the date picker reflects the chosen dates.
Drill-down to Individual Survey Responses
Given the HR manager clicks on a specific data point on the sentiment trend line, When the click is registered, Then a detailed view appears showing underlying survey responses including employee identifier (anonymized), date, sentiment category, and open-ended feedback.
Compare Multiple Departments Sentiment
Given the HR manager selects multiple departments in the comparative view selector, When the selection is confirmed, Then the dashboard displays overlapping sentiment trend lines for each selected department, each distinguished by color and labeled in a legend.
Load Dashboard with Default Trends
Given the HR manager loads the Insight Beacon Dashboard, Then the system displays a line chart showing overall sentiment trends for all departments over the past 30 days by default, including summary metrics for average sentiment score and percentage change.
Export Sentiment Data for Presentation
Given the HR manager clicks the export button while viewing the dashboard, When they choose an export format (CSV or PDF), Then the system generates and downloads a file containing the current chart visualization and its underlying data.
Custom Campaign Trigger
"As an HR manager, I want to trigger tailored micro-surveys and recognition campaigns from the insights page so that I can quickly address identified issues within a department."
Description

Enable managers to launch targeted micro-survey or recognition campaigns directly from the Insight Beacon interface based on AI recommendations or manual selection. The feature should allow customization of survey questions, scheduling options, and recipient lists at a departmental or team level. Integration with Slack and Teams ensures seamless rollout. This capability streamlines intervention workflows, allowing managers to respond to sentiment signals without leaving the platform.

Acceptance Criteria
AI-Recommended Micro-Survey Launch Scenario
Given a manager views an AI recommendation in Insight Beacon When the manager selects the recommendation, customizes survey questions, selects a department recipient list, and schedules send time Then the system generates the micro-survey, displays a preview, and successfully queues it for delivery in both Slack and Teams with a confirmation message
Manual Recognition Campaign Trigger Scenario
Given a manager chooses to launch a recognition campaign manually When the manager selects a team or department, crafts a custom message, sets a delivery time, and confirms launch Then the system schedules the campaign, shows a live preview, and displays a success notification
Custom Survey Scheduling Scenario
Given a manager is setting up a micro-survey When the manager selects date and time options from the scheduling interface Then the system validates the date/time format, saves the schedule, and displays the scheduled run in the campaign calendar
Recipient List Customization Scenario
Given a manager is defining recipients for a campaign When the manager filters by department, team, or role and selects individual members Then the system applies the filters, updates the recipient count, and confirms the final recipient list before launch
Multi-Platform Delivery Verification Scenario
Given a campaign is scheduled and ready to launch When the scheduled time arrives Then the system posts the campaign message and survey link in the specified Slack channel and Teams team, and logs delivery status for each platform

Spectrum Designer

Customize the color gradients, sentiment thresholds, and legend scales used in your heatmaps to align with your company’s branding and clarity preferences, ensuring the visualization communicates insights in the most meaningful way.

Requirements

Custom Gradient Palette
"As an HR manager, I want to create and save custom color gradients so that my team’s heatmaps reflect our branding guidelines and communicate sentiment variations clearly."
Description

Enable users to define and apply custom color gradients for heatmaps, including selecting start and end colors, adding multiple color stops, and saving palettes for reuse. This functionality ensures heatmap visualizations align with company branding, improve data readability, and allow for nuanced representation of sentiment intensity.

Acceptance Criteria
Palette Editor Access
Given the user is on the Spectrum Designer page, When the user clicks the 'Custom Gradient Palette' button, Then the custom gradient palette editor modal appears within 2 seconds.
Gradient Customization Interaction
Given the gradient palette editor modal is open, When the user selects a start color, adds multiple color stops, and chooses an end color, Then the gradient preview updates in real time to reflect each change accurately.
Color Input Validation
Given the user enters a color code in the color stop input field, When the code is not a valid hex value, Then an inline error message appears and the invalid color is rejected until corrected, And valid hex codes are accepted without error.
Palette Saving and Management
Given the user has configured a valid custom gradient and entered a unique palette name, When the user clicks the 'Save Palette' button, Then the palette is saved to the user's 'My Palettes' list accessible in subsequent sessions.
Applying Saved Palette to Heatmap
Given the user has one or more saved palettes in 'My Palettes', When the user selects a saved palette before generating a heatmap, Then the heatmap visualization applies the selected palette’s gradient stops and the legend updates to display the correct color thresholds.
Sentiment Threshold Configuration
"As an HR manager, I want to configure sentiment thresholds so that heatmap colors accurately reflect the levels of employee sentiment important to my organization."
Description

Allow users to set and adjust numeric sentiment thresholds that map sentiment scores to specific colors on the heatmap. Users can define boundaries for categories like positive, neutral, and negative sentiment to tailor the visualization’s sensitivity and ensure insights align with organizational standards.

Acceptance Criteria
Define Positive Sentiment Threshold
Given the user is on the Sentiment Threshold Configuration screen When the user enters a valid numeric value for the positive sentiment threshold (e.g., 0.6 to 1.0) and clicks Save Then the system persists the new positive threshold, displays it in the UI, and applies it to subsequent heatmap generations
Adjust Neutral Sentiment Boundary
Given the user views existing thresholds When the user modifies the neutral sentiment boundary value to a number between the negative and positive thresholds and confirms the change Then the system updates and displays the new neutral boundary, ensuring no overlap with other categories
Visual Feedback on Threshold Changes
Given the user edits any sentiment threshold When the user hovers over or resets to default values Then the UI provides real-time previews on a sample heatmap and indicates valid/invalid entries with visual cues
Invalid Threshold Input Handling
Given the user inputs a non-numeric or out-of-range value for any threshold When the user attempts to save Then the system shows an inline error message, prevents saving, and highlights the invalid field
Persist Threshold Settings Across Sessions
Given the user saves custom threshold settings When the user logs out and logs back in or reloads the application Then the previously saved thresholds are retained and displayed in the Sentiment Threshold Configuration screen
Legend Scale and Label Customization
"As an HR manager, I want to adjust legend scales and labels so that viewers immediately understand what each color represents in the heatmap."
Description

Provide a customizable legend editor where users can modify scale ranges, label text, font size, and positioning. This feature enhances clarity by allowing teams to present heatmap legends that best explain the color mappings and sentiment categories to stakeholders.

Acceptance Criteria
Adjusting Scale Ranges for Brand Alignment
Given a user opens the legend editor When they input new minimum and maximum scale values Then the heatmap legend updates to reflect these values and the preview displays the correct color gradient And the input fields accept decimal and integer values within the allowed range
Customizing Legend Label Text
Given a user selects a legend label in the editor When they edit the text field and confirm the change Then the label updates immediately in the preview and on the live heatmap And any special characters or line breaks are rendered correctly
Modifying Font Size and Style
Given a user chooses font size and style options in the legend editor When they apply the selection Then the legend text updates to the chosen font size and style in the preview And the change is reflected accurately when the legend is rendered on the dashboard
Repositioning Legend Elements
Given a user drags the legend container within the heatmap canvas When they release the mouse button Then the legend snaps to the new position without overlapping other elements And the updated position is preserved after saving changes
Saving and Applying Custom Legend Presets
Given a user configures scale ranges, label text, font settings, and position When they click 'Save Preset' and provide a preset name Then a new preset is created and listed under 'Custom Presets' And selecting the preset reapplies all saved settings to the legend
Live Preview Mode
"As an HR manager, I want to see a live preview of my heatmap customizations so that I can confirm settings deliver the desired visual impact before saving."
Description

Implement a real-time preview panel that updates the heatmap visualization instantly as users adjust gradients, thresholds, and legend settings. This interactive preview ensures users can validate their customizations on sample data before applying them to production dashboards.

Acceptance Criteria
Color Gradient Adjustment Preview
Given a user modifies the start or end color in the gradient editor, when the change is applied, then the preview panel updates within 200ms to display the new color gradient on the sample heatmap.
Sentiment Threshold Adjustment Preview
Given a user adjusts one or more sentiment threshold sliders, when the sliders are released, then the preview legend and heatmap update immediately to reflect the new threshold values.
Legend Scale Modification Preview
Given a user selects a different legend scale (linear or logarithmic), when the selection is confirmed, then the preview heatmap updates instantly to render using the chosen scale.
Sample Data Rendering
Given the live preview panel is opened, then it loads and displays representative sample data from the staging dataset within 500ms.
Preview Error Handling
Given an error occurs during the preview rendering process, when the error is detected, then an informative error message is displayed and the preview controls remain enabled for the user to retry adjustments.
Configuration Import/Export
"As an HR manager, I want to export and import my heatmap configurations so that I can share them with other teams and maintain consistent visual standards."
Description

Offer functionality to export custom spectrum designs as configuration files (e.g., JSON) and import them into other instances or share with colleagues. This capability supports consistency across teams and streamlines the rollout of standardized visual settings.

Acceptance Criteria
Export Custom Spectrum Configuration
Given a configured spectrum design in Spectrum Designer, when the user clicks 'Export Configuration', then a JSON file is downloaded containing exactly the custom color gradients, sentiment thresholds, and legend scales of the current design.
Import Valid Spectrum Configuration
Given the user is in Spectrum Designer, when the user selects 'Import Configuration' and uploads a valid JSON file, then the design updates immediately to match the file contents and the preview pane reflects the new configuration without errors.
Handle Invalid Configuration Import
Given the user attempts to import a JSON file that does not conform to the required schema, when the file is uploaded, then the system displays an error message detailing the validation failures and retains the previously applied design.
Share Configuration Between Instances
Given the user exports a configuration file from one workspace, when the user imports that file into a different workspace instance, then the imported design matches the original in all color gradients, thresholds, and legend scales.
Configuration Version Compatibility Check
Given a configuration file saved under an older schema version, when the user imports the file, then the system upgrades the configuration to the latest schema version automatically, applies it to the designer, and notifies the user of any changes performed.

SyncRewards Automator

Automatically links high-sentiment micro-survey responses to pre-approved perks on your integrated reward platform. By eliminating manual intervention, managers can instantly reinforce positive behaviors and maintain momentum in morale boosting.

Requirements

Real-time Sentiment-to-Reward Mapping
"As an HR manager, I want high-sentiment survey responses to automatically trigger rewards so that I can instantly reinforce positive behavior without manual intervention."
Description

Automatically parse micro-survey sentiment scores in real time, match responses that meet or exceed predefined thresholds to corresponding pre-approved perks, and trigger reward allocation without manual input. Ensures immediate positive reinforcement to boost employee morale.

Acceptance Criteria
High Sentiment Response Triggers Reward Allocation
Given a micro-survey response with sentiment score >= predefined threshold When the response is received Then the system matches it to the correct pre-approved perk and triggers reward allocation within 5 seconds
Low Sentiment Response No Reward Action
Given a micro-survey response with sentiment score < predefined threshold When the response is processed Then no reward is allocated and the event is recorded in the system log
Threshold Configuration Update Reflects Immediately
Given an administrator updates the sentiment-to-reward threshold When the update is saved Then all subsequent micro-survey responses use the new threshold for reward mapping in real time
Reward Allocation Failure Retries and Alerts
Given a reward allocation API call fails When the failure occurs Then the system retries up to 3 times at 2-second intervals and notifies the admin if all retries fail
Audit Logging for Reward Transactions
Given a reward is successfully allocated When the allocation completes Then the system logs user ID, sentiment score, perk ID, timestamp, and status in the audit log
Reward Platform Integration
"As an HR manager, I want the system to integrate seamlessly with our existing rewards platform so that rewards are delivered without additional setup."
Description

Establish secure, scalable API connections with supported reward platforms, handling authentication, data mapping of perk IDs, rate limiting, and ensuring data consistency between PulseCheck and the rewards provider. Enables seamless reward delivery within existing ecosystems.

Acceptance Criteria
OAuth Authentication Establishment
Given valid OAuth client credentials are configured, when the integration attempts to authenticate, then the API returns a 200 OK response with a valid access token and expiry time, and the token is securely stored.
Perk ID Mapping Verification
Given an internal perk ID list, when a reward request is sent to the reward platform, then each internal ID is correctly translated to the corresponding external perk ID according to the mapping configuration, and the platform acknowledges each with a success response.
Rate Limiting Compliance
Given the platform's rate limit of 60 requests per minute, when PulseCheck sends reward requests exceeding this limit, then additional requests are queued and sent only after the rate limit window resets, and no 429 Too Many Requests errors are received.
Data Consistency Validation
Given a reward delivery is processed, when fetching the reward status from the reward platform, then the response data (status, recipient ID, perk ID) exactly matches the internal transaction record and is updated in PulseCheck within 5 seconds.
API Connection Retry Mechanism
Given a reward request fails due to a transient error (5xx or network timeout), when the request is retried, then the system performs up to 3 retries with exponential backoff starting at 1 second, logs each retry attempt, and upon success updates the transaction status, otherwise logs the final failure.
Sentiment Threshold Configuration
"As an admin user, I want to set sentiment score thresholds for different perks so that only responses meeting our criteria trigger rewards."
Description

Provide an intuitive admin interface to define and adjust sentiment score thresholds for triggering different perks. Allow assignment of specific reward tiers to sentiment ranges to fine-tune reward sensitivity and tailor to organizational needs.

Acceptance Criteria
Admin Defines a New Sentiment Threshold
Given the admin navigates to the Sentiment Threshold Configuration page, When they enter a distinct minimum and maximum sentiment score and select a reward tier, Then the system saves the new threshold, displays it in the threshold list with correct values, and shows a success confirmation message.
Admin Updates an Existing Sentiment Threshold
Given the admin selects an existing sentiment threshold from the list, When they modify the score range or associated reward tier and click Save, Then the system updates the threshold values in the list, replaces the old settings, and displays an update confirmation.
Admin Attempts to Input Invalid Threshold Values
Given the admin enters a minimum score greater than or equal to the maximum score or values outside 0–100, When they attempt to save, Then the system prevents saving, highlights the invalid fields, and displays an error message explaining the valid range and ordering.
Default Sentiment Thresholds Are Initialized for a New Organization
Given a new organization that has not configured any thresholds, When the admin first accesses the Sentiment Threshold Configuration page, Then the system displays three default sentiment ranges (e.g., 0–30, 31–70, 71–100) with pre-assigned default reward tiers.
Real-time Reward Triggering After Threshold Update
Given a new sentiment threshold configuration is saved, When a micro-survey response arrives with a score within the newly configured range, Then the SyncRewards Automator triggers the corresponding perk within one minute and logs the reward event.
Reward Redemption Tracking
"As an HR manager, I want to see the status of rewards delivered to employees so that I can monitor redemption and follow up if necessary."
Description

Track and display the status of each triggered reward—such as pending, delivered, or failed—within PulseCheck’s dashboard. Update survey response records with redemption outcomes to give managers real-time visibility into reward uptake.

Acceptance Criteria
Reward Status Dashboard View
Given a manager has triggered rewards for multiple employees, When they navigate to the Reward Redemptions tab in the dashboard, Then they see a list of rewards with columns for Employee Name, Reward Type, Sentiment Score, and current Redemption Status (Pending, Delivered, Failed).
Real-Time Status Update
Given a reward delivery API updates a reward status, When the external platform sends a status callback, Then PulseCheck updates the corresponding survey response record within 10 seconds and displays the new status in the dashboard.
Failed Redemption Alert
Given a reward delivery fails due to an error, When the external platform returns a failure code, Then PulseCheck marks the redemption as 'Failed' and surfaces an alert banner with the error message to the manager.
Pending Reward Expiration
Given a reward remains in 'Pending' status for more than 48 hours, When the threshold is reached, Then PulseCheck automatically flags the redemption as 'Failed' and notifies the manager via email.
Redemption Data Export
Given a manager requests an export of reward redemptions, When they click the 'Export CSV' button on the dashboard, Then the system generates a CSV file containing all rewards with their current statuses and sends it for download within 5 seconds.
Audit Trail and Reporting
"As a compliance officer, I want detailed logs of all reward events so that I can audit the process and ensure accountability."
Description

Log all reward-triggering events with details including timestamp, employee, sentiment score, selected perk, and delivery status. Provide exportable reports and dashboards for auditing, compliance reviews, and stakeholder transparency.

Acceptance Criteria
Event Logging Scenario
Given a reward-triggering event occurs When the event is processed by SyncRewards Automator Then the system must record an audit trail entry including a timestamp, employee identifier, sentiment score, selected perk, and delivery status
Report Export Scenario
Given an authorized user requests an audit report export When the user selects a date range and format (CSV or JSON) Then the system generates and provides a downloadable file containing all matching audit trail entries with correct field mappings
Dashboard Display Scenario
Given audit data is available When the dashboard is accessed by a manager Then it must display real-time metrics including total rewards issued, average sentiment score, perk distribution, and success/failure rates
Delivery Failure Handling Scenario
Given a perk delivery attempt fails When the system logs the failure Then the audit trail entry must include failure reason, retry count, and timestamp of each retry attempt
Report Filtering Scenario
Given the audit trail contains multiple entries When the user applies filters by date, employee, sentiment score range, or perk type Then only entries matching all selected criteria are displayed or included in export
Error Handling and Retry Logic
"As a system administrator, I want failed reward triggers to be retried automatically and alerted to me if they continue failing so that I can resolve issues quickly."
Description

Implement robust error detection for failed reward API calls, automatic retry mechanisms with backoff, and alerting for persistent failures. Include fallback procedures to queue unresolved requests and notify administrators.

Acceptance Criteria
Error Detection on API Timeout
Given the reward API call exceeds the timeout threshold of 5 seconds, When no response is received within the threshold, Then the system logs a timeout error with timestamp, request ID, and endpoint details.
Automatic Retry with Exponential Backoff
Given a failed API call due to network error or HTTP 5xx status, When the failure is detected, Then the system retries the call up to 3 times with exponential backoff intervals of 1s, 2s, and 4s.
Fallback Queuing for Persistent Failures
Given all retry attempts for a reward API request fail, When the retry count is exhausted, Then the system enqueues the request in a durable queue and marks it as pending for later processing.
Admin Alert for Unresolved Requests
Given a request remains in the pending queue for more than 30 minutes, When the queue retention threshold is exceeded, Then the system sends an alert notification to administrators via email and Slack.
Log Entry Verification for All Error Events
Given any error event occurs during API calls or retries, When the error is captured, Then an entry is created in the centralized log containing error type, request ID, timestamp, retry count, and error message, accessible through the monitoring dashboard.

Reward Rule Builder

Offers a drag-and-drop interface to define custom reward triggers—such as sentiment score thresholds, survey frequency, or team-wide achievements—and map them to specific perks. This empowers HR to tailor incentive strategies to unique cultural goals.

Requirements

Drag-and-Drop Rule Canvas
"As an HR manager, I want a visual drag-and-drop interface to build reward rules so that I can quickly define incentive logic without writing code."
Description

Implement an interactive canvas where HR managers can visually create and arrange reward rules using drag-and-drop components. The interface should allow users to select condition blocks, arrange logic flow, and nest conditions. It should integrate seamlessly with PulseCheck’s UI and provide real-time feedback, ensuring intuitive rule creation and minimal learning curve.

Acceptance Criteria
Creating a Basic Reward Rule
Given an empty rule canvas, when the HR manager drags a condition block from the toolbar onto the canvas, then the block snaps to the drop point and displays its default label and settings.
Arranging Logic Flow
Given multiple blocks on the canvas, when the HR manager drags one block to a new position, then all connecting lines adjust dynamically to reflect the updated logical sequence without overlap or disconnection.
Nesting Conditions Within Rules
Given a parent condition block on the canvas, when the HR manager drops a child condition block into the parent, then the child visually indents and its logic is evaluated in conjunction with the parent condition.
Real-Time Validation Feedback
Given any block configuration, when the HR manager makes an invalid change (e.g., missing required field or out-of-range value), then the system highlights the error inline within 1 second and displays a descriptive tooltip.
Seamless UI Integration
Given the PulseCheck application context, when the HR manager opens the rule builder interface, then the canvas loads within 2 seconds, matches the application’s theme styles, and supports existing save, cancel, and help functions.
Condition Builder Module
"As an HR manager, I want to configure detailed reward triggers so that I can align incentives with specific employee engagement metrics."
Description

Develop a module for configuring various reward triggers such as sentiment score thresholds, survey frequency intervals, and team-wide achievement criteria. It should offer a catalog of predefined condition types and support custom expression fields, enabling fine-grained control over when rewards are activated. Conditions should validate inputs and provide descriptive error messages.

Acceptance Criteria
Sentiment Score Threshold Configuration
Given the HR manager opens the Condition Builder Module, when they select 'Sentiment Score Threshold' and input a numeric value between 0 and 100, then the value is accepted and saved; the threshold appears in the list of configured conditions.
Survey Frequency Interval Setup
Given the HR manager selects 'Survey Frequency Interval', when they choose an interval unit (daily, weekly, monthly) and enter a positive integer, then the interval is validated, saved, and displayed correctly in the conditions catalog.
Team-wide Achievement Condition Definition
Given the HR manager adds a 'Team-wide Achievement' condition, when they choose a predefined achievement from the catalog, then the condition is created, stored, and reflected in the module's summary view.
Custom Expression Field Validation
Given the HR manager enters a custom expression, when the expression is syntactically correct and uses supported operators, then the expression is accepted, saved, and evaluated without errors.
Error Message Display for Invalid Inputs
Given the HR manager inputs an invalid value (e.g., non-numeric for threshold), when they submit the condition, then the module displays a descriptive error message indicating the specific input error and prevents saving.
Perk Mapping Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want to assign specific perks to each trigger condition so that I can customize incentives based on different engagement scenarios."
Description

Create a dashboard where users can map defined reward triggers to specific perks or incentive packages. The dashboard should list available perks, support custom perk creation, and allow users to associate multiple perks with a single trigger. It should also display mapping summaries and support inline editing.

Acceptance Criteria
Mapping a New Perk to a Trigger
Given the user is on the Perk Mapping Dashboard, When the user selects a reward trigger and a perk from the available list and clicks 'Save', Then the new mapping is persisted and appears in the mapping summary.
Editing an Existing Perk Mapping
Given a saved mapping exists, When the user clicks the inline edit icon for that mapping, updates the perk or trigger, and clicks 'Save', Then the dashboard reflects the updated mapping and logs the change in the audit trail.
Creating and Associating a Custom Perk
Given the user clicks 'Add Custom Perk', When they enter a name and details and select a trigger before clicking 'Create and Map', Then the custom perk is added to the available list and immediately mapped to the selected trigger.
Viewing Perk Mapping Summary
When the user navigates to the Perk Mapping Dashboard, Then all existing mappings are displayed in a table showing trigger, perk name, perk type, and last modified date, and entries are paginated at 10 rows per page by default.
Associating Multiple Perks with One Trigger
Given a trigger is selected, When the user checks multiple perks and clicks 'Save', Then each selected perk is linked to the trigger and appears as a separate row in the mapping summary.
Rule Management Controls
"As an HR manager, I want to manage existing reward rules—edit, clone, delete—so that I can adapt incentive strategies as team dynamics change."
Description

Provide functionality to manage the lifecycle of reward rules, including editing, deleting, cloning, and reordering rules. This includes bulk operations, search and filter capabilities, and audit trail logging of changes. Ensures that HR managers can maintain and update their incentive strategies efficiently.

Acceptance Criteria
Editing an Existing Reward Rule
Given there is an existing reward rule in the list, When the HR manager clicks the 'Edit' button for that rule, modifies its trigger conditions and associated perks, and saves the changes, Then the system updates the rule in the list to reflect the new settings and logs an audit entry with the change details.
Deleting a Reward Rule
Given a reward rule is displayed in the rule list, When the HR manager clicks the 'Delete' action for that rule and confirms the deletion, Then the system removes the rule from the list, displays a confirmation notification, and records an audit log entry for the deletion.
Cloning a Reward Rule
Given a reward rule exists, When the HR manager selects the 'Clone' action for that rule, Then the system creates a duplicate rule prefixed with 'Copy', opens the clone in edit mode for review, and upon saving, adds the new cloned rule to the list and logs the clone action.
Reordering Reward Rules
Given multiple reward rules are listed in the rule builder, When the HR manager drags and drops rules to a new order and saves the changes, Then the system updates the display order accordingly, persists the new order, and logs an audit entry with the original and new positions.
Bulk Deleting Multiple Rules
Given multiple reward rules are selected via checkboxes in the rule list, When the HR manager clicks the 'Bulk Delete' button and confirms the action, Then the system deletes all selected rules, displays a success message listing the deleted rules, and creates audit log entries for each deletion.
Simulation & Preview Engine
"As an HR manager, I want to simulate how my reward rules would perform with past data so that I can validate and refine them before going live."
Description

Implement a simulation engine that uses historical or sample data to preview rule outcomes. Users should be able to run simulations, view triggered perks on a timeline or sample list, and adjust rule parameters iteratively. This feature helps validate rule logic before activation.

Acceptance Criteria
Run simulation with historical data
Given a user selects an existing reward rule and a historical data set, when they click “Run Simulation,” then the system displays a chronological timeline of simulated perk triggers based on historical sentiment scores with accurate date and perk mappings within 3 seconds.
Adjust parameters and refresh preview
Given a user modifies rule parameters (e.g., sentiment threshold or survey frequency), when they click “Refresh Simulation,” then the simulation output updates immediately, reflecting the new parameters without requiring a page reload.
Preview using sample data
Given a user opts to use sample data for rule testing, when they initiate a simulation, then the system generates at least 50 sample entries and displays corresponding simulated perks in the preview list.
Export simulation results
Given a completed simulation run, when the user selects “Export Results,” then a CSV file is generated within 5 seconds containing rule parameters, input data points, and simulated perk assignments.
Handle invalid data inputs
Given missing or malformed input data, when a user attempts to run a simulation, then the system disables the “Run Simulation” button and displays an explanatory error message guiding the user to correct the input.

Perk Catalog

Provides an embedded, searchable marketplace of available rewards (gift cards, experiences, merchandise) from your integrated platform. Users can browse, filter, and select offerings, ensuring incentives are relevant, timely, and aligned with employee preferences.

Requirements

Embedded Marketplace UI
"As an employee, I want to browse the rewards catalog directly in Slack or Teams so that I can discover incentives without switching applications."
Description

Develop an intuitive, embedded user interface within Slack and Teams that displays the Perk Catalog seamlessly. The UI should allow quick access to reward listings without leaving the chat environment, maintain consistent branding, and adapt responsively to different screen sizes. Integration with the existing PulseCheck navigation and authentication systems should be ensured to provide a smooth user experience and uphold security standards.

Acceptance Criteria
Access Perk Catalog Within Slack Chat
Given a logged-in user in Slack, When they open the Perk Catalog tab, Then the embedded UI loads within 2 seconds displaying at least 20 available rewards without leaving the chat environment.
Filter and Search Perks
Given the Perk Catalog is open, When a user enters a keyword or selects a filter, Then the catalog displays only items matching the criteria within 1 second.
Redeem Reward Selection
Given a user selects a reward, When they click 'Redeem', Then the system authenticates the request and shows a confirmation modal within the chat with reward details.
Responsive UI on Different Screen Sizes
Given the user changes their Slack or Teams window size, When the catalog UI is resized, Then all elements reflow without horizontal scrolling and maintain usability on widths from 300px to 1200px.
Seamless Authentication Integration
Given a user is authenticated in PulseCheck, When accessing the embedded catalog, Then no additional login prompts appear and the user’s session remains valid.
Maintain Consistent Branding
Given the embedded UI is displayed, When viewed in Slack or Teams, Then the color scheme, fonts, and logo match PulseCheck’s design guidelines.
Search and Filter Capabilities
"As an employee, I want to filter rewards by category and price so that I can find incentives that match my preferences and budget."
Description

Implement powerful search and filter functionality enabling users to quickly locate relevant perks. Features include keyword search, category filters (e.g., gift cards, experiences, merchandise), price range sliders, and sorting options (e.g., popularity, newest). The system should handle large catalogs efficiently, leveraging backend indexing and caching to ensure low-latency responses.

Acceptance Criteria
Keyword Search Functionality
Given the user enters a keyword in the search bar When they submit the search Then the system returns perks with titles or descriptions containing the keyword within 500ms
Category Filter Application
Given the user selects one or more categories When filters are applied Then only perks from the selected categories are displayed, with results updating within 300ms
Price Range Slider Adjustment
Given the user moves the minimum and maximum price sliders When the slider positions are updated Then the displayed perks fall within the specified price range and update instantaneously
Sorting Options Accuracy
Given the user chooses a sort option (popularity or newest) When the sort option is applied Then the perks list is reordered correctly according to the selected criterion
Performance Under Large Catalog
Given a catalog of over 10,000 perks When a search or filter operation is performed Then the response time remains under 500ms with no errors
Personalized Recommendation Engine
"As an employee, I want to receive tailored reward suggestions based on my interests so that I can quickly identify perks I’m most likely to appreciate."
Description

Deploy an AI-driven recommendation engine that analyzes user preferences, past selections, and engagement data from PulseCheck micro-surveys to suggest relevant perks. The engine should dynamically update recommendations, support A/B testing for algorithms, and integrate with user profiles to refine suggestions over time, increasing employee satisfaction and catalog usage.

Acceptance Criteria
Initial User Preference Analysis
Given a user with at least three completed micro-surveys, when the recommendation engine runs, then it must display at least five perks matching at least two of the user’s top three preference categories with a relevance score of ≥ 80%.
Dynamic Recommendation Refresh
Given a user’s recent interactions (views, clicks, redemptions), when they revisit the perk catalog page, then the system must refresh and display updated recommendations within 5 seconds reflecting the latest engagement data.
Profile-Based Suggestion Refinement
Given a user updates their profile preferences or adds new interest tags, when they next access the perk catalog, then the top five recommended perks must align with the updated preferences and exclude items previously recommended more than twice.
Algorithm A/B Testing Execution
Given two versions of the recommendation algorithm (A and B) are active, when at least 100 distinct users interact with each version over a 48-hour period, then the system must collect click-through and redemption rates, calculate statistical significance (p < 0.05), and identify the better-performing algorithm.
User Feedback Integration Loop
Given a user provides explicit feedback (like/dislike or rating) on any recommended perk, when the engine processes this feedback, then within the next two recommendation cycles it must adjust suggestion relevance to improve precision by at least 10%.
Seamless Redemption Workflow
"As an employee, I want a straightforward process to redeem a chosen perk so that I can obtain my reward without confusion or delay."
Description

Create a seamless workflow that guides users through the reward selection, confirmation, and redemption process. Include real-time availability checks, secure payment or point deduction integration, confirmation messages in Slack/Teams, and automated delivery of digital reward codes or fulfillment requests to the integrated platform. Provide clear error handling and status updates.

Acceptance Criteria
Reward Selection and Checkout Initiation
Given the user opens the Perk Catalog in Slack or Teams, when the user searches, filters, and selects a reward, then the system displays the reward’s details (image, description, cost) and presents a Redeem button to initiate checkout.
Real-Time Availability Check
Given the user clicks Redeem on a selected reward, when the request is sent, then the system performs an availability check within 2 seconds and displays “Available” or “Out of Stock” before proceeding.
Secure Payment and Points Deduction
Given the reward is available and the user confirms redemption, when the system processes the transaction, then it securely integrates with the payment gateway or point-balance API, deducts points or charges payment, and updates the user’s balance in real time.
Confirmation and Delivery of Reward Code
Given a successful transaction, when the system receives confirmation from the payment or point-deduction service, then it sends a confirmation message in Slack/Teams and automatically delivers the digital reward code or fulfillment request to the integrated reward platform.
Error Handling for Redemption Failures
Given a transaction failure due to insufficient points, payment error, or out-of-stock status, when the system encounters the error, then it displays a clear, user-friendly error message with suggestions for next steps and logs the error for support review.
Reward Analytics Dashboard
"As an HR manager, I want to view analytics on perk catalog usage so that I can adjust rewards to improve employee morale and retention."
Description

Build an analytics dashboard for HR managers that visualizes catalog engagement metrics, redemption rates, popular perks, and employee feedback. The dashboard should offer customizable date ranges, segmentation by team or department, and exportable reports. This insight helps optimize reward offerings and align incentives with employee sentiment trends uncovered by PulseCheck.

Acceptance Criteria
Viewing Catalog Engagement Metrics
Given the HR manager navigates to the Reward Analytics Dashboard, When the dashboard loads, Then it displays total perk views, click-through rates, and engagement counts for each catalog item within the selected period.
Filtering by Custom Date Range
Given the HR manager is viewing default last 30 days data, When a custom start and end date are selected, Then all dashboard metrics refresh and accurately reflect data for the specified date range.
Segmenting by Department
Given multiple departments exist in the organization, When the HR manager selects a department filter, Then the dashboard updates to show engagement, redemption, and feedback metrics exclusively for that department.
Exporting Reports
Given filters and date ranges have been applied, When the HR manager clicks the Export button, Then a report is downloaded in CSV or PDF format containing all displayed metrics, filters, and date range metadata.
Identifying Popular Perks
Given the dashboard displays perk performance data, When the HR manager sorts by redemption rate, Then the top five most redeemed perks are highlighted with their redemption percentages.
Reviewing Employee Feedback
Given employee feedback is collected via micro-surveys, When the HR manager opens the feedback widget, Then a paginated list of feedback items appears, each tagged with sentiment labels (positive, neutral, negative).

Instant Incentive Dispatch

Once a reward trigger is met, this feature auto-sends personalized perk notifications directly to employees via Slack, Teams, or email. The seamless delivery ensures that recognition feels timely, genuine, and memorable, reinforcing positive sentiment instantly.

Requirements

Admin Configuration Dashboard
"As an HR administrator, I want to configure reward triggers, message templates, and delivery channels in a centralized dashboard so that I can manage and customize incentive dispatch without developer assistance."
Description

Develop an intuitive dashboard for HR administrators to configure reward triggers, message templates, and delivery channels. The dashboard should enable admins to define criteria for perk eligibility (e.g., completion of milestones, positive survey scores), set timing rules for dispatch, manage user segmentation, and preview notification flows. Integration with existing PulseCheck settings and user directories must be seamless, ensuring all changes are saved securely and applied in real time.

Acceptance Criteria
Configure Perk Eligibility Criteria
Given the admin selects 'Add new eligibility rule', when they input criteria (e.g., milestone = 'Project Completed' and survey score ≥ 8) and click 'Save', then the dashboard displays the new rule in the Eligibility Rules list with correct parameters stored.
Customize Message Templates
Given the admin accesses the 'Message Templates' tab, when they edit an existing template or create a new one and preview it, then the live preview pane correctly displays the personalized notification with placeholder values (e.g., {{employee_name}}) replaced by sample data.
Set Timing Rules for Dispatch
Given the admin navigates to 'Timing Rules', when they define a dispatch schedule (e.g., weekdays at 9AM) and save, then notifications are only queued for sending during those specified times and the schedule appears in the dashboard.
Manage User Segmentation
Given the admin opens 'User Segmentation', when they apply filters (e.g., department = 'Engineering' and tenure > 1 year) and save the segment, then the segment is created, displays the correct count of users, and is available for eligibility rules.
Preview Notification Flows
Given the admin selects 'Preview Notifications', when they choose a segment, template, and trigger rule, then the system renders a timeline view showing sample notifications as they would appear in Slack, Teams, and email, including timing and content accuracy.
Integrate with User Directory
Given the admin enables 'Directory Sync', when they initiate a sync, then user profiles and team assignments from the directory are imported or updated without errors, and the dashboard shows the last sync timestamp.
Real-time Trigger Evaluation
"As an HR manager, I want the system to instantly detect when an employee meets a reward trigger so that incentives are delivered without delay to reinforce positive behavior."
Description

Implement a processing engine that continuously monitors employee survey results, engagement signals, and predefined milestones. Once a reward condition is met, the engine should instantly enqueue a personalized incentive notification for dispatch. Ensure the evaluation logic scales efficiently to handle bursts of events and includes retry mechanisms for transient failures.

Acceptance Criteria
Enqueue Notification on Reward Condition Met
Given an employee’s engagement metric crosses the predefined threshold When the trigger evaluation runs Then a notification payload is enqueued into the incentive dispatch queue within 500ms And the payload contains employee ID, reward type, and timestamp
Scale Processing During Event Bursts
Given 1000 engagement events arrive within one second When the processing engine handles the burst Then all events are evaluated and enqueued within five seconds with no events dropped
Retry Mechanism for Transient Failures
Given a transient failure occurs during enqueueing When the engine attempts to enqueue the notification Then it retries up to three times with exponential backoff And logs each retry attempt in the system logs
Personalized Content in Notification Payload
Given reward trigger input includes personalization data When generating the notification payload Then the message includes the employee’s first name, reward description, and manager’s name correctly formatted
Accurate Channel Routing for Notifications
Given the employee has Slack and email configured When routing the notification Then Slack is selected as the primary channel And email is set as a fallback in the message metadata
Personalized Message Templating
"As an HR manager, I want to customize incentive messages with dynamic employee details and branding so that each notification feels personal, relevant, and on-brand."
Description

Provide a templating system that supports dynamic placeholders (e.g., employee name, achievement details, manager name) and conditional content blocks. Templates should be editable via the admin dashboard, with preview capabilities across each channel. Ensure templates can be localized for different languages and include branding elements.

Acceptance Criteria
Template Creation with Dynamic Placeholders
Given an admin defines a template containing placeholders {employee_name}, {achievement_detail}, and {manager_name}, when the template is saved, then the system accepts the template with no validation errors; Given preview data is provided, when the admin previews the template, then the placeholders are correctly replaced with the preview values; The system supports at least five unique dynamic placeholders and displays an error for any unsupported placeholder.
Conditional Content Block Rendering
Given an admin includes a conditional block based on {bonus_amount} > 0 in a template, when the bonus_amount is zero, then the conditional block is omitted in the preview and final message; When bonus_amount is greater than zero, then the conditional block is rendered with the correct bonus_amount value; Nested conditional blocks evaluate in the correct order without errors.
Template Localization and Preview
Given an admin selects a secondary language (e.g., French) for a template, when the template is saved, then all static text is stored in both default and secondary language versions; Given preview in the secondary language, when the admin previews the template in that locale, then the content appears fully translated with placeholders intact; The system supports localization for at least three languages and flags missing translations.
Branding Elements Application
Given an admin uploads a company logo and selects brand colors in the dashboard, when the template is previewed, then the logo appears correctly positioned and resized; When the brand colors are applied, then text, buttons, and background elements reflect the selected color codes; The system enforces logo size limits and rejects invalid format uploads with an error message.
Channel-Specific Template Preview
Given an admin chooses Slack, Teams, or Email as the delivery channel, when previewing the template for that channel, then message formatting complies with the channel’s supported features (e.g., Slack Block Kit, Teams Adaptive Cards, Email HTML); Given channel constraints, when the preview is generated, then unsupported elements are either removed or flagged in the UI; The system provides separate preview buttons and displays channel-specific warnings if any formatting issues arise.
Multi-Channel Dispatch
"As an employee, I want to receive incentive notifications on my preferred communication platform so that I never miss recognition even if I’m not active on one channel."
Description

Build integrations with Slack, Microsoft Teams, and email services to send incentive notifications through the employee’s preferred channel. Implement channel-specific formatting (e.g., Slack message attachments, Teams adaptive cards, HTML email) and fallback logic to alternate channels if delivery fails. Ensure secure authentication and API token management for each platform.

Acceptance Criteria
Slack Notification Delivery
Given a reward trigger is met and the employee’s preferred channel is Slack, when the system dispatches the notification, then a Slack message attachment is sent with personalized content, a valid API response (HTTP 200 OK) is received, and the delivery status is marked as successful.
Teams Adaptive Card Dispatch
Given a reward trigger is met and the employee’s preferred channel is Microsoft Teams, when the system dispatches the notification, then an adaptive card is sent via the Teams API with correct personalization and formatting, a success acknowledgement is returned, and the delivery is logged as successful.
Email Notification Dispatch
Given a reward trigger is met and the employee’s preferred channel is email, when the system dispatches the notification, then an HTML-formatted email is sent through the configured SMTP or email API, a delivery confirmation is received, and the notification is logged as delivered.
Fallback to Secondary Channel
Given the primary channel dispatch fails due to API error, authentication failure, or timeouts, when the system detects the failure, then it automatically retries delivery via the employee’s next preferred channel within 2 minutes, logs both the failure and fallback success, and notifies monitoring services.
Secure API Token Management
Given integrations with Slack, Teams, and email services, when storing and refreshing API tokens, then all tokens are encrypted at rest, automatically refreshed before expiration using secure credential stores, logged for audit, and any expired or invalid token attempts are rejected with appropriate error handling.
Delivery Tracking and Analytics
"As an HR manager, I want to view delivery and engagement metrics for dispatched incentives so that I can measure the effectiveness of recognition and troubleshoot any issues."
Description

Capture and display delivery metrics for each dispatched incentive, including status (sent, delivered, read), timestamps, and channel details. Aggregate analytics in the admin dashboard to show overall engagement with incentives, average delivery times, and failure rates. Provide exportable reports and real-time alerts for dispatch errors.

Acceptance Criteria
Real-time Delivery Status Tracking
Given an incentive is dispatched, when the delivery is attempted, then the system updates the status to 'sent', 'delivered', or 'read' with accurate timestamps and channel details in the admin dashboard.
Delivery Failure Alerting
Given an incentive dispatch fails, when the failure is detected, then the system triggers a real-time alert to the admin within 1 minute, including error code, recipient ID, and retry suggestions.
Aggregated Incentive Engagement Analytics
Given multiple incentive dispatches over a selected period, when the admin views the analytics dashboard, then the dashboard displays total dispatch count, delivery success rate, read rate, and failure rate with timestamped trends.
Export Incentive Delivery Reports
Given the admin requests an export, when 'Export CSV' is selected, then the system generates and downloads a CSV file containing dispatch ID, recipient, channel, status, send/deliver/read timestamps, and error details for failures.
Average Delivery Time Calculation
Given a series of incentive dispatches, when calculating average delivery time, then the system computes and displays the mean duration between 'sent' and 'delivered' states for the selected period, accurate to the nearest second.

Budget Tracker Dashboard

Visualizes real-time and forecasted reward spending across teams and campaigns, highlighting budget utilization, ROI metrics, and cost-per-incentive insights. This transparency enables managers to optimize budgets and demonstrate the impact of recognition on engagement.

Requirements

Real-Time Spending Visualization
"As an HR manager, I want to see real-time reward spending across teams and campaigns so that I can monitor budget utilization and make timely adjustments."
Description

Implement an interactive dashboard widget that displays live reward spending data across all teams and campaigns. The visualization should update dynamically to show current expenditures, highlight spending trends, and allow filtering by date range and team. This feature will provide immediate insight into budget utilization, enabling managers to make data-driven adjustments and ensure spending stays within allocated limits.

Acceptance Criteria
Dashboard Loads Live Spending Data
Given the HR manager opens the Budget Tracker Dashboard widget, when the dashboard finishes loading, then it displays live reward spending data across all teams and campaigns within 5 seconds, with all figures accurate to the most recent transaction.
Filter by Date Range
Given the HR manager selects a start and end date using the date range filter, when the dates are confirmed, then the dashboard updates to show reward spending data only within the specified range, and the summary and charts reflect this filtered data.
Team-Based Filtering
Given the HR manager selects a specific team from the team filter dropdown, when the team is selected, then the dashboard displays only that team's reward spending data across all visualizations, and other teams' data is hidden.
Spending Trend Highlighting
Given the HR manager hovers over the spending trend line on the dashboard, when the cursor is over a data point, then a tooltip appears showing the exact spending amount and percentage change compared to the previous period, and peaks or troughs are visually emphasized.
Budget Limit Alert
Given the HR manager has configured a budget limit for a campaign, when the real-time spending reaches or exceeds 90% of the limit, then the dashboard prominently displays an alert indicator next to the campaign name and sends a notification to the manager's email.
Forecast Projection Graphs
"As an HR manager, I want projected spending forecasts based on current pace and historical patterns so that I can plan budgets for upcoming periods."
Description

Develop forecast projection graphs powered by historical spending patterns and current pace to predict future budget utilization. The graphs should include best-case, worst-case, and expected scenarios, with adjustable time horizons. Integrate these projections into the dashboard to help managers anticipate budget needs and adjust allocations proactively.

Acceptance Criteria
Time Horizon Adjustment
Given a manager selects a time horizon option (1, 3, 6, or 12 months) in the Forecast Projection Graphs widget, When the selection is applied, Then the graph updates within 1 second to display best-case, worst-case, and expected projections for the chosen horizon.
Scenario Toggle Display
Given the Forecast Projection Graphs show all three scenarios by default, When the manager toggles off a specific scenario (e.g., worst-case), Then only the remaining scenarios are displayed with correct labels and colors.
Projection Accuracy Calculation
Given historical spending data and current spending pace are available, When projections are calculated, Then the expected scenario equals the linear extrapolation of historical averages ±5%, the best-case uses the 90th percentile improvement, and the worst-case uses the 10th percentile decline.
No Historical Data Handling
Given no historical spending data exists for the selected team or campaign, When the manager views the Forecast Projection Graphs, Then the graph area displays a standardized 'No data available' message and hides projection lines.
Large Dataset Performance
Given the Forecast Projection Graphs must render using historical data spanning up to 24 months, When loading and rendering projections, Then the graphs fully render and respond to user interactions in under 2 seconds.
ROI Metrics Calculation
"As an HR manager, I want to see ROI metrics for different campaigns so that I can identify the most cost-effective recognition programs."
Description

Build an ROI metrics module that calculates the return on investment for each recognition campaign by correlating spending with engagement outcomes (e.g., survey sentiment shifts, participation rates). The module should display ROI percentages and comparisons across campaigns, facilitating data-driven decisions on program effectiveness and resource allocation.

Acceptance Criteria
Single Campaign ROI Calculation
Given a completed campaign with total spend S and measured engagement shift E When the ROI module calculates the ROI Then the displayed ROI percentage equals (E / S) * 100 rounded to two decimal places And if S equals zero, the ROI field displays "N/A"
Real-Time Spend and Engagement Correlation
Given a live campaign in progress When viewing the ROI dashboard Then total spend updates automatically every 60 seconds And engagement metrics refresh every 5 minutes And the ROI percentage recalculates within 60 seconds of any data change
Comparative ROI Across Multiple Campaigns
Given the manager selects two or more past campaigns When the comparative ROI view loads Then each campaign's name and ROI percentage display side by side And the difference in ROI percentages between campaigns is accurately calculated and shown
Forecasted ROI Projection Accuracy
Given current spending and engagement trend data for an ongoing campaign When the forecast projection runs Then the projected ROI percentage calculates based on linear extrapolation of engagement trend and spend rate And the projected value is within ±5% of a manual benchmark calculation
ROI Data Export for Reporting
Given the manager selects the export option and chooses CSV or PDF format When the export is initiated Then the file includes columns: campaign name, start date, end date, total spend, engagement shift, ROI percentage And the exported file downloads successfully within 10 seconds
Cost-per-Incentive Breakdown
"As an HR manager, I want to view the cost per incentive for each recognition type so that I can optimize the mix for better budget efficiency."
Description

Create a cost-per-incentive breakdown feature that computes and displays average cost for each type of recognition reward and team. Include interactive charts and tables to compare costs across categories, helping managers identify high-cost items and optimize incentive strategies for greater budget efficiency.

Acceptance Criteria
Team Cost Analysis View
Given a manager views the dashboard for a selected team, when the page loads, then the average cost-per-incentive for that team is displayed accurately and matches the backend calculation within a 0.1% tolerance.
Reward Type Comparison Chart
Given multiple reward types are available, when the manager selects the comparison chart view, then a bar chart displays average cost-per-incentive for each reward type and updates within 2 seconds of selection.
Historical Cost Trend Analysis
Given historical data for the past six months exists, when the manager switches to the trend analysis view, then a line chart plots monthly average cost-per-incentive trends accurately and allows identifying peaks and troughs.
Interactive Filter and Drill-Down
Given filters for date range, team, and reward type are applied, when the manager adjusts any filter, then the cost-per-incentive breakdown table and charts update immediately and display only filtered results.
Exportable Cost Data Report
Given the manager clicks the export button, when the data is prepared, then a downloadable CSV file containing team, reward type, count, and average cost-per-incentive is generated and its contents match the on-screen values.
Alerts & Notifications for Budget Thresholds
"As an HR manager, I want to receive notifications when spending exceeds defined budget thresholds so that I can prevent overspending."
Description

Implement an alerting system that notifies managers via in-app alerts and email/SMS when spending approaches or exceeds predefined budget thresholds. Allow customization of threshold levels and notification channels. This will prevent overspending and ensure budget compliance by providing timely warnings.

Acceptance Criteria
Threshold Setup Alert
Given a manager defines a budget threshold at 80% of the allocated budget, when the cumulative spending reaches or exceeds 80% of the budget, then the system sends an in-app alert and an email notification to the manager within 2 minutes.
Threshold Exceeded Notification
Given spending surpasses 100% of the defined budget threshold, when the overspend event occurs, then the system delivers an in-app alert, an email, and an SMS notification to the manager within 5 minutes.
Custom Notification Channel Configuration
Given a manager configures preferred notification channels (email, SMS, Slack), when budget thresholds are triggered, then the system sends alerts through all selected channels.
Forecasted Overspend Warning
Given the system projects that forecasted spending will exceed a predefined threshold within the next billing cycle, when the forecast crosses the threshold, then the system issues an in-app alert and email to the manager immediately.
Alert Dismissal and Snooze
Given an active budget threshold alert, when the manager selects “Snooze for 24 hours” or “Dismiss,” then the system suppresses subsequent alerts for the chosen snooze period or acknowledges the dismissal and stops sending further notifications until a new threshold event.
Export & Reporting Capabilities
"As an HR manager, I want to export budget data and schedule automated reports so that I can share insights with stakeholders."
Description

Offer export functionality to download dashboard data in CSV, PDF, and XLS formats, and enable automated report scheduling. Reports should include snapshots of spending, forecasts, ROI metrics, and cost breakdowns. This feature will facilitate sharing insights with stakeholders and support executive-level reporting requirements.

Acceptance Criteria
Download Dashboard Data in Multiple Formats
Given the HR manager is on the Budget Tracker Dashboard, When they select the export option and choose a format (CSV, PDF, or XLS), Then the system generates and downloads a file in the selected format containing all visible dashboard data with correct headers and values within 30 seconds.
Schedule Automated Report Delivery
Given the HR manager has configured a report schedule with recipients, frequency, and format, When they save the schedule, Then the system sends the first report automatically at the next scheduled interval to all specified recipients without manual intervention.
Include Forecast and ROI Metrics in Reports
Given a generated or scheduled report, When viewing the export file, Then it includes sections for actual spending, forecasted spending, ROI metrics, and cost-per-incentive that match the dashboard values within a 1% variance.
Export Large Dataset Performance
Given the dashboard contains more than 10,000 data points, When exporting data in any format, Then the system completes the export successfully within 60 seconds without errors or timeouts.
Report Failure Notification Handling
Given a scheduled report generation fails due to a system error, When the failure occurs, Then the system sends an email notification to the report owner detailing the error and retry attempts, and logs the failure with a timestamp.

Redemption Analytics Portal

Aggregates data on reward redemption rates, popular perks, and time-to-redemption trends. HR and people ops teams gain actionable insights to refine incentive offerings, maximize participation, and ensure that perks drive lasting engagement.

Requirements

Real-time Data Aggregation
"As an HR manager, I want to see up-to-the-minute reward redemption data so that I can make timely decisions on incentive effectiveness."
Description

Implement a scalable data aggregation engine that continuously collects and consolidates reward redemption data from multiple sources within PulseCheck, normalizes the data for consistency, and stores it in a centralized analytics database. This engine must handle high volumes of events, support near-instant updates, and ensure data accuracy and integrity through validation rules and automated reconciliation processes.

Acceptance Criteria
High Volume Data Ingestion
Given 100,000 reward redemption events per minute from combined sources, when the engine processes events, then it ingests all events within 60 seconds with zero data loss.
Data Normalization Consistency
Given redemption data with varying formats, when the engine normalizes the data, then all records adhere to the predefined schema with correct field mappings and no missing values.
Near-Instant Update Delivery
Given a new redemption event occurs, when processed by the engine, then the updated dataset is available in the analytics database within 2 seconds.
Validation Rule Enforcement
Given incoming data may contain anomalies, when validated, then records failing defined validation rules are flagged and routed to the error queue, while valid records proceed to storage.
Automated Reconciliation Accuracy
Given daily aggregation of stored redemption data, when reconciliation runs, then discrepancies between source systems and the analytics database do not exceed 0.01%, and an automated report is generated.
Redemption Rate Dashboard
"As a People Ops specialist, I want to view redemption rates by team and period so that I can identify which groups are most engaged with our perks."
Description

Develop an interactive dashboard that visualizes overall and segmented redemption rates over configurable time periods. The dashboard should include summary widgets, trend charts, filters for team, department, and time range, and drill-down capabilities to investigate specific segments or reward types. Visual design must align with PulseCheck’s UI guidelines to ensure consistent user experience.

Acceptance Criteria
Overall Redemption Rate Summary Display
Given the HR manager loads the Redemption Rate Dashboard, when the dashboard finishes loading, then a summary widget displays the overall redemption rate as a percentage for the selected time range, with tooltip details showing total rewards issued and redeemed.
Filtering Redemption Rates by Department
Given the HR manager is viewing the dashboard, when they select a department filter and apply it, then all summary widgets and charts update to reflect only redemption data for the chosen department.
Trend Chart Visualization Over Configurable Time Periods
Given the dashboard is loaded, when the HR manager selects a custom time range (e.g., last 30 days), then the trend chart updates to display redemption rate data points aggregated correctly over the chosen period.
Drill-Down into Reward Type Details
Given a trend chart is visible, when the HR manager clicks on a specific data point, then the dashboard displays detailed redemption statistics by reward type for that selected date, including counts and rates.
UI Consistency with PulseCheck Guidelines
Given the dashboard components are rendered, when the HR manager views the dashboard, then all fonts, colors, spacing, and component styles strictly adhere to the PulseCheck UI design guidelines.
Time-to-Redemption Analysis
"As an HR analyst, I want to understand how long employees take to redeem rewards so that I can optimize the timing and type of perks offered."
Description

Create a module to calculate and display time-to-redemption metrics, including average, median, and distribution of redemption times from issuance to use. Provide visualizations such as histograms and box plots, and allow users to filter by reward type, employee segment, and custom date ranges. Ensure statistical calculations are accurate and performant at scale.

Acceptance Criteria
Calculating Average Redemption Time
Given a selected date range and reward set, when the user views average time-to-redemption, then the system displays the correct average value matching the database calculation within a 1% margin of error.
Median Redemption Time Accuracy
Given a filtered dataset of redemption times, when computing the median metric, then the system calculates and displays the exact median value of the dataset.
Redemption Time Distribution Visualization
Given redemption time data for selected filters, when the analytics portal loads, then it renders a histogram and box plot with appropriate axes labels, bins, and data points accurately representing the distribution.
Filtering by Reward Type and Employee Segment
Given multiple reward types and employee segments in the dataset, when the user applies specific filters, then the displayed metrics and visualizations update to include only records matching those filters within two seconds.
Custom Date Range Selection
Given user-defined start and end dates, when applying the date range filter, then all metrics and visualizations are restricted to redemptions within that exact range and respect inclusive boundaries.
Performance at Scale
Given a dataset of over one million redemption records, when generating metrics and rendering visualizations, then the system responds and displays results within two seconds without errors.
Popular Perks Insights
"As a benefits coordinator, I want to know which perks are most popular among different employee groups so that I can tailor offerings to maximize engagement."
Description

Implement an insights component that ranks and highlights the most and least redeemed perks, showing counts, percentages, and trends over time. Include the ability to segment by demographic attributes (e.g., role, location) and to compare popularity across categories. Provide contextual recommendations based on usage patterns to guide managers in perk selection.

Acceptance Criteria
Overall Perk Popularity Ranking
Given the HR manager accesses the Popular Perks Insights panel, when no filters are applied, then the system displays a ranked list of all perks sorted by total redemption count and percentage of total redemptions for the selected timeframe, and highlights the top three and bottom three perks.
Demographic-Based Perk Segmentation
Given the HR manager selects a demographic attribute filter (e.g., role or location), when the filter is applied, then the insights update to show the ranked list of perks with redemption counts and percentages specific to that demographic segment, and display a comparison indicator against overall redemption metrics.
Trend Analysis Over Time
Given the HR manager selects a time range, when the time range is confirmed, then the system generates a time-series chart showing monthly redemption counts and percentage changes for each perk, and enables the manager to identify upward or downward trends.
Cross-Category Comparison
Given the HR manager selects two or more perk categories, when the categories are chosen, then the system presents a side-by-side comparison of redemption counts, redemption rates, and trend lines for each selected category within the chosen timeframe.
Contextual Recommendations Generation
Given the system detects a decline in redemption rates for certain perks, when the insights panel loads, then the system suggests at least three alternative perks with higher engagement, based on similar demographic usage patterns and historical performance, and displays rationale for each recommendation.
Custom Reporting & Export
"As an HR director, I want to generate and export detailed redemption reports so that I can share findings with executives and stakeholders."
Description

Enable users to build custom reports by selecting metrics, dimensions, and time ranges, and to export data and visualizations in CSV, XLSX, and PDF formats. Include scheduling options for automated report delivery via email, and ensure export functionality preserves formatting and data accuracy.

Acceptance Criteria
Report Builder Configuration
Given a user selects specific metrics, dimensions, and a time range in the report builder, When they click "Generate Report", Then the system displays a report containing only the selected data points and time period.
CSV Export Functionality
When the user exports a generated report to CSV, Then a .csv file is downloaded with accurate headers, data matching the displayed report, and opens without errors in common spreadsheet applications.
XLSX Export Functionality
When the user exports a report to XLSX, Then the downloaded .xlsx file preserves data types, cell formatting, and is fully compatible with Excel 2016 or later.
PDF Export Layout Preservation
When exporting a report to PDF, Then the output maintains the visual structure, includes all charts and tables at full resolution, and paginates correctly for A4 paper size.
Automated Report Scheduling and Delivery
Given a user schedules a custom report for automated delivery, When the scheduled time occurs, Then the system generates the report in the selected format and emails it to the specified recipients within five minutes.
Role-Based Access Control
"As a system administrator, I want to control who can view and export redemption analytics so that sensitive information remains secure."
Description

Implement a permissions framework that allows administrators to define and assign roles with specific access rights to the Redemption Analytics Portal features and data. Ensure that sensitive data is protected by enforcing view, edit, and export restrictions based on user roles and organizational hierarchy.

Acceptance Criteria
Role Assignment by Administrator
Given an administrator is authenticated When they assign a specific role to a user Then the user’s permissions are updated immediately and reflected in their next session
Viewer Role Restrictions
Given a user with the 'Viewer' role When they attempt to edit or export analytics data Then the action is denied and an 'Insufficient Permissions' message is displayed
Editor Role Data Export
Given a user with the 'Editor' role When they request to export redemption analytics Then the system allows the export and provides a CSV file containing only data within their permitted scope
Role-Based Data Visibility
Given a manager role with scoped team permissions When the manager accesses the portal Then they see only redemption data for their assigned teams and no other departments
Prevent Unauthorized Access
Given an unauthenticated or unauthorized user When they attempt to access the Redemption Analytics Portal Then the system redirects them to login or displays an 'Access Denied' error

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Press Coverage

Imagined press coverage for this groundbreaking product concept.

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PulseCheck Launches AI-Powered Risk Radar and Team Thermal Map to Combat Workplace Burnout

Imagined Press Article

San Francisco, CA – 2025-06-09 – PulseCheck, the leading real-time employee sentiment platform, today introduced two groundbreaking AI-driven features—Risk Radar and Team Thermal Map—designed to flag early signs of individual stress and visualize department-wide burnout trends. As organizations grapple with rising turnover and disengagement, these tools offer proactive solutions that empower HR leaders and managers with actionable insights to safeguard well-being and sustain productivity. In a rapidly evolving workplace landscape, hidden stressors can escalate before managers are aware. Risk Radar leverages advanced AI algorithms to continuously analyze micro-survey responses, usage patterns, and sentiment indicators, producing a dynamic burnout risk score for each employee. Simultaneously, Team Thermal Map aggregates these individual scores across teams or departments and renders them as intuitive heatmaps, enabling leadership to instantly spot high-risk groups at a glance. This dual approach ensures that interventions are timely, targeted, and effective. “PulseCheck’s mission has always been to help companies understand and improve how their people feel,” said Emma Rodriguez, CEO of PulseCheck. “With Risk Radar and Team Thermal Map, we’re empowering organizations to not only detect stress early but also allocate resources strategically. By visualizing burnout risk across teams, managers can prioritize meaningful check-ins and support before issues escalate.” Risk Radar continuously monitors sentiment scores, response rates, and behavioral signals—such as reduced participation in micro-surveys or meeting disengagement metrics—to compute a real-time risk index. When an individual’s score crosses predefined thresholds, Alert Amplifier notifications are triggered, prompting managers to take immediate action. Alerts can be customized by severity, team, or individual, ensuring that critical situations receive prompt attention. “Before adopting Risk Radar, we relied on end-of-quarter surveys and anecdotal feedback,” explained Denise Malik, VP of People Operations at BrightWay Technologies. “Now, we receive timely burnout risk warnings directly in Teams, and our intervention scheduler automatically proposes one-on-one check-ins. As a result, we’ve seen a 25% reduction in voluntary attrition and a measurable uplift in team morale.” Team Thermal Map further extends visibility by plotting aggregate burnout risk levels onto a color-coded departmental grid. Managers can filter by location, project, or seniority level to conduct deeper analysis. The heatmap snapshots can be automatically distributed to stakeholders at regular intervals, ensuring that executives remain informed about organizational health without manual reporting. “Being able to visualize stress hotspots across our global engineering organization has transformed our approach,” said Carlos Mendes, Chief Technology Officer at NovaEdge. “The thermal map highlighted a spike in burnout risk among our Latin America teams right after our major product launch. We were able to reassign workloads, introduce peer support sessions, and implement targeted recognition campaigns that immediately alleviated pressure.” PulseCheck’s release also includes enhancements to the underlying AI engine, improving anomaly detection for outlier sentiment responses and refining predictive accuracy. These improvements, combined with seamless integrations into Slack and Microsoft Teams, deliver an end-to-end experience that requires no additional training or IT resources. To learn more about Risk Radar and Team Thermal Map, visit www.pulsecheck.com/insights or request a personalized demo at demo@pulsecheck.com. About PulseCheck PulseCheck is a real-time employee sentiment and engagement platform trusted by fast-growing tech companies worldwide. Through AI-driven micro-surveys in Slack and Teams, PulseCheck uncovers early signs of disengagement and burnout, enabling organizations to take proactive, data-backed actions that boost morale, reduce turnover, and foster a thriving workplace culture. Media Contact: Sarah Kim Chief Marketing Officer, PulseCheck media@pulsecheck.com +1 (415) 555-7890

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PulseCheck Introduces SyncRewards Automator for Instant Perk Delivery and Enhanced Employee Recognition

Imagined Press Article

San Francisco, CA – 2025-06-09 – PulseCheck, the industry pioneer in real-time employee sentiment analytics, today announced the launch of SyncRewards Automator, an innovative feature that seamlessly connects high-sentiment micro-survey responses with pre-approved employee perks for instantaneous, automated recognition. This enhancement empowers HR leaders and team managers to reinforce positive behaviors in the moment, transforming feedback into tangible rewards that drive morale and retention. Building on PulseCheck’s existing suite of sentiment-driven engagement tools, SyncRewards Automator eliminates manual workflows by integrating directly with leading reward platforms. When a micro-survey yields a sentiment score that meets or exceeds predefined thresholds, SyncRewards Automator instantly dispatches a curated perk—such as gift cards, experience vouchers, or corporate merchandise—to the recognized employee. All reward triggers, perk mappings, and budget allocations can be configured through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface in the Reward Rule Builder, granting HR professionals full control over incentive strategies. “In today’s competitive talent market, recognition must be both timely and meaningful,” said Priya Shah, Head of Product at PulseCheck. “SyncRewards Automator ensures that employees receive real-time reinforcement for positive contributions. By automating the reward process, we help organizations maintain momentum in their culture initiatives while freeing up HR teams to focus on strategic priorities.” Leading companies that pilot-tested SyncRewards Automator reported significant boosts in peer-to-peer recognition and overall engagement metrics. After integrating the feature, WaveLink Engineering saw a 40% uptick in instant kudos, with 95% of rewards redeemed within 48 hours. “Seeing our engineers light up when they received surprise gift cards based on their positive feedback was incredible,” said Maya Lopez, Director of People and Culture at WaveLink. “It reinforced our values and made recognition part of our daily workflow.” Key benefits of SyncRewards Automator include: • Seamless Integration: Connects easily to existing reward platforms via secure APIs, requiring no additional IT infrastructure. • Customizable Triggers: Define reward conditions based on sentiment scores, survey frequency, team achievements, or organizational milestones. • Dynamic Perk Catalog: Access a searchable marketplace of gift cards, experiences, and merchandise, ensuring rewards remain relevant and appealing. • Budget Management: Track real-time and forecasted spending on rewards through the Budget Tracker Dashboard, optimizing ROI and preventing overspend. • Insights and Analytics: Leverage the Redemption Analytics Portal to monitor redemption rates, popular perks, and time-to-redeem trends, guiding future recognition strategies. SyncRewards Automator works in concert with PulseCheck’s existing recognition features—Instant Kudos, Kudos Carousel, Gratitude Digest and Highlight Hall—to create a cohesive ecosystem for social affirmation. These interconnected capabilities foster an environment where positive sentiment is not only measured but celebrated and reinforced across organizational levels. “Recognition is a powerful driver of engagement, and automation makes it scalable,” noted Dr. Karen Lee, Organizational Psychologist and advisor to PulseCheck. “By linking sentiment data directly to perks, SyncRewards Automator introduces a feedback loop that sustains motivation. Employees know that their positive feedback is valued and will be acted upon immediately.” SyncRewards Automator is available immediately to all PulseCheck subscribers. For more information or to schedule a demo, please visit www.pulsecheck.com/syncrewards or contact our team at sales@pulsecheck.com. About PulseCheck PulseCheck empowers organizations with real-time insight into employee sentiment through micro-surveys embedded in Slack and Teams. AI-driven analytics identify trends, predict burnout risk, and recommend targeted interventions, enabling leaders to cultivate a resilient, engaged workforce. Media Contact: Jared Thompson Director of Communications, PulseCheck press@pulsecheck.com +1 (415) 555-1234

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PulseCheck Debuts DepthDive Explorer and HeatLens for Unmatched Organizational Sentiment Visualization

Imagined Press Article

San Francisco, CA – 2025-06-09 – PulseCheck, the leader in instant employee sentiment intelligence, today unveiled two advanced visualization features—DepthDive Explorer and HeatLens—designed to revolutionize how organizations interpret and act upon engagement data. By combining deep-dive analytics with intuitive visual overlays, these tools transform raw sentiment scores into strategic insights that drive targeted interventions and long-term culture optimization. With DepthDive Explorer, users can click any department, team node, or project segment to access an interactive dashboard of detailed sentiment analytics. This includes aggregate scores, response rates, text feedback themes, and outlier flags for individuals whose responses differ significantly from group trends. HeatLens overlays these sentiment signals directly onto organizational charts or custom layouts, allowing leaders to instantly perceive high- and low-morale zones without toggling between multiple interfaces. “Visualization is key to unlocking the stories hidden in data,” explained David Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer at PulseCheck. “DepthDive Explorer and HeatLens bring context and clarity to feedback. Whether you’re a team lead diagnosing a sudden dip in engagement or a CEO monitoring company-wide mood shifts, these features deliver actionable insights at your fingertips.” DepthDive Explorer offers several capabilities tailored to diverse user roles: • Custom Drill-Down: Filter by sentiment category, demographic attributes, or time window to pinpoint areas requiring attention. • Thematic AI Summaries: Leverage Echo Insight to automatically surface common themes and suggested actions based on free-text survey responses. • Comparative Analysis: Employ the Compare Spotlight function within DepthDive to juxtapose current engagement against historical benchmarks, revealing persistent challenges or emerging improvements. HeatLens enhances organizational awareness by applying adjustable opacity and threshold filters on visual maps. Leaders can define sentiment gradients that align with brand colors or accessibility standards, ensuring clarity for all stakeholders. Scheduled Snapshot Scheduler distributions guarantee that up-to-date heatmaps are delivered to executive inboxes at key intervals, eliminating manual reporting burdens. “During our quarterly leadership review, HeatLens allowed us to identify a morale valley in our customer success division,” said Anita Sharma, Head of Global Operations at CloudVista. “We quickly allocated coaching resources and recognition budgets to that team, and within two weeks we saw a measurable rebound in sentiment. Previously, this issue might have gone unnoticed for months.” Key benefits of DepthDive Explorer and HeatLens include: 1. Rapid Diagnosis: Traverse from high-level overviews to granular insights in seconds, expediting decision-making. 2. Contextual Recommendations: Receive AI-generated suggestions for targeted micro-survey campaigns or recognition drives where they’re most needed. 3. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Share visual snapshots and drill-down reports with HR, People Ops analysts, and executive stakeholders through seamless Slack or email integration. 4. Branding Alignment: Customize color schemes, legend scales, and chart layouts to maintain consistency with corporate identity. PulseCheck customers report that integrating DepthDive Explorer and HeatLens into their engagement workflows reduces time spent on manual analysis by up to 60% and accelerates intervention cycles by 45%. These efficiency gains translate directly into healthier work environments and enhanced retention metrics. “As a data-driven analyst, I’ve never seen sentiment visualization this powerful,” shared Jordan Kim, Senior People Ops Analyst at NeoWave Systems. “DepthDive lets me identify engagement patterns down to individual contributors, and HeatLens communicates those findings in a way that even non-technical leaders immediately understand.” DepthDive Explorer and HeatLens are available now for all PulseCheck enterprise subscribers. To experience a live walkthrough, schedule a demo at www.pulsecheck.com/depthdive or email demos@pulsecheck.com. About PulseCheck PulseCheck delivers continuous, AI-powered micro-surveys in Slack and Teams to surface real-time employee sentiment and prevent disengagement. With advanced analytics and visualization features, PulseCheck empowers organizations to foster a culture of well-being and sustained performance. Media Contact: Rachel Hart Senior PR Manager, PulseCheck media@pulsecheck.com +1 (415) 555-4567

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