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Example Mapping Card Colors

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Reference for card colors and meanings in Example Mapping workshops.

Card Color Reference

Color Represents Maps To Quantity Limit
Yellow User Story Feature description 1 per feature
Blue Acceptance Criteria Rule: blocks ≤ 4 per story
Green Concrete Examples Scenario: blocks ≤ 4 per criterion
Pink Questions/Unknowns issues.md Resolve before implementation

Yellow Card (User Story)

Purpose: Define WHO, WHAT, and WHY.

Format:

As a [role]
I want [capability]
So that [business value]

Quantity: 1 per feature/workshop session.

Maps to: Feature description in Gherkin.

Blue Card (Acceptance Criteria)

Purpose: Define measurable success conditions.

Good Examples:

  • "Creates 3 directories (src/, tests/, docs/)"
  • "Completes in < 2 seconds"
  • "Returns error code 400 for invalid input"

Bad Examples:

  • "Interface is user-friendly" (not measurable)
  • "Performance is good" (subjective)

Quantity: ≤ 4 per Yellow card. If more, split the feature.

Maps to: Rule: blocks in Gherkin.

Green Card (Examples)

Purpose: Provide concrete scenarios illustrating the rule.

Format: [Context] → [Action] → [Result]

Good Examples:

  • "Empty folder → init → creates src/, tests/, docs/"
  • "Invalid email → submit → shows 'Invalid email format'"

Bad Examples:

  • "It creates directories" (too abstract)
  • "Works correctly" (not specific)

Quantity: ≤ 4 per Blue card. If more, consider splitting the rule.

Maps to: Scenario: blocks under corresponding Rule:.

Pink Card (Questions)

Purpose: Capture unknowns without solving during workshop.

Examples:

  • "What if r2r.yaml already exists?"
  • "Should we support a --force flag?"
  • "What happens with no network?"

Handling:

  • Write down immediately
  • Do not debate during workshop
  • Resolve before implementation starts
  • Document in issues.md if deferred

Maps to: Issues to resolve or backlog items.

Visual Layout

        [Yellow: User Story]
               |
    +----------+----------+
    |          |          |
[Blue 1]   [Blue 2]   [Blue 3]
    |          |          |
+---+---+  +---+---+  +---+---+
|   |   |  |   |   |  |   |   |
G1a G1b    G2a G2b    G3a G3b

[Pink questions placed to the side]

Workshop Readiness Signals

Signal Cards Action
Ready ≤4 Blue, ≤4 Green each, no blocking Pink Proceed to Gherkin
Too Large >4 Blue cards or >25 min Split feature
Too Uncertain Blocking Pink cards Research spike

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