eventmodeling-plotting-events

Plotting Events

Arrange all brainstormed events chronologically to create a logical sequence that makes sense as a narrative timeline. Show how events flow and depend on each other.

Workflow

Given a list of brainstormed events, create the chronological plot:

1. Sequence Events Chronologically

Order events in time-based narrative:

• What happens first?
• What depends on what?
• What's the causal chain?

Format:

Timeline: Order Processing

1. Customer initiates → OrderCreated (Event: OrderCreated)

2. Order confirmed → OrderConfirmed Depends on: OrderCreated happened (Event: OrderConfirmed)

3. Payment processed → PaymentAuthorized Depends on: OrderConfirmed happened (Event: PaymentAuthorized)

4. Inventory reserved → InventoryReserved Depends on: PaymentAuthorized happened (Event: InventoryReserved)

5. Order shipped → OrderShipped Depends on: InventoryReserved happened (Event: OrderShipped)

6. Delivery confirmed → DeliveryConfirmed Depends on: OrderShipped happened (Event: DeliveryConfirmed)

### 2. Show Dependencies and Causality
Document what triggers each event:

Event: OrderConfirmed Can only happen after: OrderCreated Triggered by: Customer confirms order Precondition: Order in Draft state

Event: PaymentAuthorized Can only happen after: OrderConfirmed Triggered by: Payment gateway authorizes Precondition: Order confirmed and payment submitted

### 3. Identify Alternative Paths
Show events that can diverge:

After OrderCreated: Path A: Customer confirms → OrderConfirmed Path B: Customer cancels → OrderCancelled

After PaymentAuthorized: Path A: Payment succeeds → PaymentProcessed Path B: Payment fails → PaymentFailed → OrderCancelled

### 4. Create Timeline Diagram
Visual representation of event flow:

Time →

OrderCreated
↓
OrderConfirmed
→ PaymentAuthorized
→ InventoryReserved
→ OrderShipped
→ DeliveryConfirmed
→ PaymentFailed → OrderCancelled
→ OrderCancelled (rejected before payment)

## Output Format

Present as:

```markdown
# The Plot: [Domain Name]

## Chronological Event Sequence

### Phase 1: Order Initiation
1. **OrderCreated** - When: Customer submits order
   - Previous state: None (initial event)
   - Next possible: OrderConfirmed or OrderCancelled

### Phase 2: Order Confirmation
2. **OrderConfirmed** - When: Customer confirms and payment ready
   - Depends on: OrderCreated
   - Next possible: PaymentAuthorized or OrderCancelled

### Phase 3: Payment Processing
3. **PaymentAuthorized** - When: Payment gateway approves
   - Depends on: OrderConfirmed
   - Next possible: InventoryReserved or PaymentFailed

4. **PaymentFailed** - When: Payment declined
   - Depends on: OrderConfirmed (payment attempted)
   - Next possible: OrderCancelled (or retry)

### Phase 4: Fulfillment
5. **InventoryReserved** - When: Inventory allocated
   - Depends on: PaymentAuthorized
   - Next possible: OrderShipped

6. **OrderShipped** - When: Order leaves warehouse
   - Depends on: InventoryReserved
   - Next possible: DeliveryConfirmed

### Phase 5: Delivery
7. **DeliveryConfirmed** - When: Customer receives order
   - Depends on: OrderShipped
   - Next possible: None (terminal)

### Phase 6: Cancellations (Alternative Path)
8. **OrderCancelled** - When: Customer cancels or payment fails
   - Can happen after: OrderCreated, OrderConfirmed, PaymentFailed
   - Next possible: RefundInitiated

9. **RefundInitiated** - When: Refund processed
   - Depends on: OrderCancelled
   - Next possible: None (terminal)

## Event Flow Diagram

[ASCII or text representation of timeline]

## Key Insights

- **Critical Path**: Events that must happen in order
- **Decision Points**: Where flow branches
- **Terminal Events**: Where flow ends
- **Compensation Events**: How to handle cancellations
- **Wait States**: Where system pauses for external action

Quality Checklist

• Every event has clear predecessor
• Dependencies are explicitly documented
• Alternative paths are shown
• Flow forms a coherent narrative
• No events without trigger
• Terminal states are clear
• Compensation/cancellation flows are complete
• Timeline makes business sense

Principles

1. Narrative Coherence: Events tell a story
2. Dependency Clarity: What must come before what
3. Alternative Paths: Show all possible flows (happy path + errors)
4. Natural Sequence: Order matches business domain logic
5. Completeness: Every brainstormed event appears