6.5 KiB
First-Time Setup Journey
This document maps the complete journey of a new user setting up the BMAD Method for the first time.
Persona Profile: New User
Name: Alex (New Developer)
Role: Frontend Developer
Experience: 3 years of development experience
Goals:
- Set up BMAD Method quickly
- Understand core concepts
- Successfully complete a simple task
Pain Points:
- Limited time for learning new tools
- Skeptical about AI-driven development
- Prefers practical examples over theory
Journey Map
```mermaid title="First-Time Setup Journey" type="diagram" journey title First-Time Setup User Journey section Discovery Hears about BMAD Method: 3 Visits documentation site: 3 Reads quick start guide: 4 section Setup Chooses environment (Web/IDE): 3 Installs necessary components: 2 Configures settings: 2 section First Use Reads example project: 4 Attempts simple task: 3 Receives AI guidance: 5 section Validation Completes first deliverable: 5 Reviews output quality: 4 Shares with team: 4 ```
Detailed Journey Stages
1. Discovery Phase
Entry Point
- Recommendation from colleague
- Online search for AI development tools
- Social media or blog post
Key Touchpoints
- Documentation Homepage: First impression of the BMAD Method
- Value Proposition: Understanding what problems BMAD solves
- Quick Start Guide: Initial pathway to getting started
Decision Points
- Continue or Abandon: Based on perceived value and learning curve
- Solution: Clear, compelling benefits on homepage with minimal scrolling
- Success Metric: 70% of visitors proceed to setup phase
Pain Points
- Information Overload: Too much theory before practical application
- Solution: Progressive disclosure of information with clear "Start Here" path
- Success Metric: Average time to first action under 5 minutes
2. Setup Phase
Key Touchpoints
- Environment Selection: Choosing between web-based or IDE setup
- Installation Process: Following setup instructions
- Configuration: Customizing settings for specific needs
Decision Points
- Web vs. IDE Environment: Based on existing workflow and preferences
- Solution: Clear comparison table with pros/cons of each approach
- Success Metric: 90% of users successfully complete their chosen setup path
Pain Points
- Technical Hurdles: Installation issues in specific environments
- Solution: Troubleshooting guide with common issues and solutions
- Success Metric: Support requests under 5% of new installations
- Configuration Complexity: Unclear what settings to change
- Solution: Sensible defaults with clear explanations for customization options
- Success Metric: Average setup time under 10 minutes
3. First Use Phase
Key Touchpoints
- Example Project: Reviewing sample implementation
- Task Selection: Choosing first task to attempt
- AI Interaction: First conversation with BMAD personas
Decision Points
- Task Complexity: Selecting appropriate difficulty for first task
- Solution: Clearly labeled "beginner" tasks with estimated completion times
- Success Metric: 85% first-task completion rate
Pain Points
- Prompt Uncertainty: Not knowing how to effectively communicate with AI
- Solution: Prompt templates and examples for common scenarios
- Success Metric: Average time to first successful prompt under 2 minutes
- Persona Confusion: Uncertainty about which persona to use
- Solution: Persona selection guide with use cases for each
- Success Metric: Correct persona selection rate above 80%
4. Validation Phase
Key Touchpoints
- Deliverable Completion: Finishing first task
- Quality Assessment: Evaluating output quality
- Team Sharing: Demonstrating to colleagues
Decision Points
- Adoption Decision: Whether to continue using BMAD Method
- Solution: Clear path to next steps and more advanced usage
- Success Metric: 75% continue to second task within 24 hours
Pain Points
- Output Customization: Difficulty modifying generated content
- Solution: Edit guides and customization options clearly presented
- Success Metric: Average customization time under 5 minutes
- Colleague Skepticism: Resistance from team members
- Solution: Shareable success stories and comparison metrics
- Success Metric: Team adoption rate above 50% after demonstration
Emotional Journey
```mermaid title="Emotional Journey" type="diagram" journey title Emotional Journey - First-Time Setup section Discovery Initial curiosity: 3 Interest in possibilities: 4 Concern about learning curve: 2 section Setup Determination to configure: 3 Frustration with technical details: 2 Relief when setup completes: 4 section First Use Uncertainty about approach: 2 Surprise at AI capabilities: 4 Excitement at first success: 5 section Validation Pride in completed work: 5 Satisfaction with quality: 4 Enthusiasm for future use: 5 ```
Success Metrics
| Metric | Target | Measurement Method |
|---|---|---|
| Time to First Task | < 15 minutes | Analytics tracking |
| Setup Completion Rate | > 90% | Funnel analysis |
| First Task Completion | > 85% | User activity tracking |
| Satisfaction Score | > 4.2/5 | Post-setup survey |
| Return Rate (24h) | > 75% | User retention analysis |
Journey Optimization Opportunities
- Streamlined Onboarding: Reduce steps between discovery and first success
- Interactive Tutorials: Add guided walkthroughs for common first tasks
- Persona Selection Helper: Create a wizard to recommend appropriate personas
- Setup Automation: Develop one-click setup options for common environments
- Success Celebration: Add positive reinforcement after first task completion
Next Steps in User Journey
After completing the first-time setup journey, users typically proceed to:
- Project Initiation Journey - Starting their first real project
- Feature Development Journey - Implementing specific features
- Team Onboarding - Bringing colleagues into the BMAD Method
The first-time setup journey is critical for user adoption and sets the foundation for long-term BMAD Method success.