Guide Users With New Route Guard For Start A New Message Flow

Hey guys! Let's dive into the updates for the new route guard in our messaging flow. This is all about making sure our users have a smooth and intuitive experience when starting a new message. We're focusing on guiding users through the flow step-by-step, so no one misses a beat.

Description

The new route guard is designed to enhance the user experience by redirecting users who try to access child pages within the /new-message flow directly. Think of it as a helpful guide that ensures everyone follows the intended path. This update is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the messaging process and making sure all necessary steps are completed.

When users bookmark a specific child page—like the /select-care-team page—and try to access it directly, the route guard kicks in. Instead of landing on that specific page, users will be redirected to the top of the flow, specifically the /new-message page. This ensures that users complete all the required screens in the correct order, preventing any potential hiccups or missed steps. We want to make sure everyone has the full context and completes each part of the process for a seamless experience.

This approach is especially important because each step in the new message flow often depends on information gathered in previous steps. By enforcing a structured flow, we minimize the chances of users encountering errors or confusion. Imagine someone skipping the initial step of selecting a recipient; they might miss crucial context needed for the subsequent steps. The route guard acts as a safety net, ensuring that everyone progresses through the process logically and completely. It’s all about making the user journey as smooth and user-friendly as possible!

Moreover, this update aligns with our commitment to creating a consistent and predictable user experience. Users should feel confident that our systems will guide them appropriately, especially when dealing with sensitive tasks like healthcare communication. By implementing this route guard, we’re adding an extra layer of usability, making the entire process more intuitive. We’re constantly striving to improve, and this is a significant step in that direction. Think of it as giving our users a gentle nudge in the right direction, ensuring they don’t miss anything important. This leads to fewer frustrations and a more efficient messaging experience for everyone involved.

User Story

Let's break down a typical user scenario to illustrate the importance of this update. As a user, I might bookmark a child page within the "start a new message" flow—say, the va.gov/my-health/secure-messages/new-message/select-care-team page. Now, what happens if I try to access this page directly? Without the route guard, I might land on this specific step without having completed the previous steps, potentially leading to confusion or errors.

However, with the new route guard in place, if I attempt to directly access that bookmarked page, I will be redirected to the interstitial page at the top of the flow (/new-message). This is crucial because it ensures I fully complete all the required screens before progressing further. It’s like a guided tour that ensures I don’t miss any important stops along the way. This approach guarantees that I have all the necessary context and information before moving forward, making the entire process smoother and more intuitive.

This redirection is vital for several reasons. First, it maintains the integrity of the messaging process. Each step in the flow often depends on the successful completion of the previous step. By ensuring users start at the beginning, we minimize the risk of incomplete or inaccurate information being submitted. It’s all about making sure the foundation is solid before building on it. Second, it aligns with our goal of providing a consistent and predictable user experience. Users should feel confident that our system will guide them appropriately, especially when dealing with sensitive tasks like healthcare communication.

Imagine trying to select a care team without first specifying the type of message you want to send. The system needs that initial context to provide relevant options. The route guard ensures that this context is always established before users move forward. It’s about creating a logical progression that makes sense to the user, reducing the chances of frustration or error. Ultimately, this update enhances usability by preventing users from accidentally skipping essential steps. It’s a small change with a big impact, making the messaging flow more user-friendly and efficient. We’re constantly looking for ways to make things easier for our users, and this is a significant step in that direction.

Notes

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Possible Tasks

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Acceptance Criteria

To ensure the route guard meets our standards for quality and accessibility, we have a few key acceptance criteria. These criteria will guide our testing and review process, ensuring that the final implementation is robust and user-friendly. Let's break down what needs to be checked off the list.

First up, we have the QA review. This is a critical step in our process, where our Quality Assurance team puts the new route guard through its paces. The QA team will meticulously test the functionality to ensure that the redirection works as expected in various scenarios. They’ll be looking to confirm that users are consistently redirected to the top of the flow (/new-message) when attempting to directly access child pages. This involves simulating different user behaviors, such as bookmarking pages, using direct links, and navigating via browser history. The goal here is to catch any potential bugs or edge cases that might affect the user experience. It’s like having a detective on the case, ensuring everything behaves as it should.

During the QA review, the team will also focus on ensuring that the redirection doesn't create any unintended side effects. For instance, they’ll verify that the user's progress isn't lost when they're redirected and that there are no performance issues caused by the route guard. It's all about making sure the solution is not only effective but also efficient and doesn’t introduce any new problems. This thorough testing phase is crucial for maintaining the high standards of our platform. We want to make sure that every user interaction is smooth and reliable, and QA plays a vital role in achieving that.

Next, we have the A11y review, which stands for Accessibility review. This is equally important as it ensures that the route guard is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Our commitment to inclusivity means that we need to ensure our updates comply with accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The A11y review will involve assessing how the route guard interacts with assistive technologies like screen readers. We need to make sure that users who rely on these tools can navigate the new message flow without any barriers. This might involve ensuring that the redirection is announced clearly by screen readers or that keyboard navigation is fully supported. It’s about creating an inclusive environment where everyone can use our services effectively.

The A11y review will also look at aspects like color contrast and font sizes to ensure readability for users with visual impairments. We'll also assess the clarity of any error messages or instructions related to the redirection. Clear and concise communication is key to a positive user experience, especially for users who may face additional challenges. This review is not just a checklist; it’s a reflection of our values and our dedication to making our platform accessible to everyone. By meeting these acceptance criteria, we can be confident that the new route guard is not only functional but also user-friendly and inclusive. It’s about making sure we’re building solutions that work for everyone, regardless of their abilities. This comprehensive approach ensures that our updates enhance the user experience for all our users.

• [ ] QA review
• [ ] A11y review