What is a product walkthrough?
A product walkthrough guides a user through a task in an application, one step at a time. It explains the actions needed to reach an outcome, such as connecting an integration or creating a report, and may advance as each action is completed.
What a walkthrough helps users do
A walkthrough organizes guidance around an outcome, such as inviting a teammate or publishing a page. It shows the next action and explains any information needed to complete it.
For an activation task such as creating a first report, measure successful report creation as well as progress through the guide.
Scripted and assistant-led walkthroughs
A scripted walkthrough defines steps and completion conditions in advance. It can include branches for different roles or account states. Its instructions and conditions need review when the workflow changes.
An assistant-led walkthrough uses product knowledge to generate guidance for the requested task. Its usefulness depends on that knowledge, the context available, and the actions it supports. Both approaches need a way to handle missing permissions, failed steps, or questions during the task.
When to use a walkthrough
Walkthroughs can help with setup, integrations, permissions, or other tasks with several dependent actions. For example, connecting a data source may require credentials, an authorization step, and a successful connection check.
A brief explanation is usually enough for a reference question such as what a field means. Use a walkthrough when the person needs to do something with several steps.
How Frigade fits
Frigade Assistant uses learned product knowledge to guide users through a task, highlighting the next action as they work. It can also help carry out supported actions. The AI-generated tours page shows how the guidance appears.
Common questions
- What is an interactive walkthrough?
- An interactive walkthrough asks the user to take actions in the product, such as completing a field or saving a setting. It may detect completion before showing the next instruction. Check how a particular walkthrough advances, since products use the term for different kinds of guided sequences.
- Can a walkthrough replace documentation?
- A walkthrough can help someone complete a task without following a separate how-to article. Documentation still serves other needs, including reference information, policies, troubleshooting, and evaluation before signup. The two formats can support the same workflow.