---
title: "Anatomy of a Journey"
slug: "anatomy-of-a-journey"
updated: 2026-07-07T13:33:45Z
published: 2026-07-07T13:33:45Z
canonical: "academy.insiderone.com/anatomy-of-a-journey"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://academy.insiderone.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Anatomy of a Journey

> **Suggested readings**: [Cross-Platform Omnichannel Journeys](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/cross-platform-omni-channel-journeys), [How to Create an Architect Journey](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/how-to-create-an-architect-journey), [Architect Feature Set](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-feature-set)

With Architect, you can create omnichannel journeys that help you understand each customer's activities on all your platforms.

A journey starts with one of the entry points called **starters** and branches to **matching/not matching** **paths** according to a user's behavior and actions with the if/else logic by the **check elements** until the flow ends.

Based on if/else logic, you can design the desired actions or interactions wisely. Users enter the journey if they fulfill the starter segment/condition/rule and proceed on the journey flow based on their actions or properties.

[What is a Journey](https://player.vimeo.com/video/1172821867?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479)

If this video does not load in your region, you can watch it on our [YouTube Channel](https://youtu.be/UljsgqMybXo).

This guide explains the steps to follow and the elements you can use to create a journey.

1. [Navigate to Architect](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#1-navigate-to-architect)
2. [Create a Journey](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#2-create-a-journey)
3. [Canvas Elements](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#3-canvas-elements)
4. [Select a Starter](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#4-select-a-starter)
5. [Select a Wait Element](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#5-select-a-wait-element)
6. [Select a Condition](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#6-select-a-condition)
7. [Select a Channel](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#7-select-a-channel)
8. [Select an Action](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#8-select-an-action)
9. [Optimize Your Journey](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#9-optimize-your-journey)
10. [Launch Your Journey](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#10-launch-your-journey)
11. [Test Your Journey](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#11-test-your-journey)
12. [Track Analytics](/docs/anatomy-of-a-journey#12-track-analytics)

## 1. Navigate to Architect

After logging into your Insider account, you will land on the Executive Summary Dashboard. Go to **Experience** > **Architect** to navigate to Architect. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2009%2015-02-25.png)

## 2. Create a Journey

After navigating to Architect, you will land on the [journey listing page](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/journey-listing-page). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2009%2015-08-02.png) This page lists your existing journeys along with:

1. **Analytics**: Helps you analyze the performance of all journeys on the [analytics dashboard](/docs/architect-analytics-dashboard).
2. **Discover**: Takes you on an interactive tour to see how journeys work.
3. **Settings**: Helps you configure [Facebook integration](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/setting-up-facebook-custom-audiences#integrating-facebook-custom-audiences) and [journey entry capping](/docs/journey-entrance-limit).

To create a journey: 1. Click the **Create** button. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-34-11.png)

2. **Name** your journey and select or create a **tag** if applicable. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jul%2020%2012-44-31.png)

3. Creating your journey, you will land on the template store page to see **categories**, **goals**, **channels**, **industries**, **templates,** and **custom** **templates**. You can select your industry and see the recommended pre-built templates for your industry. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-36-05.png)

4. If you want to create a journey using one of the pre-built templates, you can **search for** them by their **names** or the **channels** available in the journeys. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-37-28.png)

5. To create a journey from scratch, you can **Start From Scratch** or use the [Smart Journey Creator](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/smart-journey-creator). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-38-48.png)

6. If you want to use one of the journeys that you saved as templates before, you can click the **Custom** **Templates** to list your templates. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-41-16.png)

7. This guide aims to walk you through the steps for creating a journey from scratch. Go back to the **Templates** tab and select **Start From Scratch**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-38-48(1).png)

## 3. Canvas Elements

After selecting a template or the blank canvas, you will land on the canvas page. This page displays the journey elements depending on your selection and the canvas's default elements that help you take journey-related actions (e.g., undo, redo, launch, template selection, etc.).

#### Undo/Redo

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-43-08.png)You can use these buttons to [undo/redo](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/canvas-tools#undoredo) a change on the canvas.

#### Announcements

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-43-37.png)Following the notifications, you can stay updated with the latest features and improvements on Architect. Once you click to open it, you can see the latest updates.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2012-44-09.png)

#### Templates

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-36-42.png)

You can click the journey name to manage your journey, browse templates, [save your journey as a template](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/canvas-tools#save-journey-template), and duplicate your journey.

#### Journey Optimizer

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-41-53.png)

The [Journey Optimizer](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/canvas-tools#journey-optimizer) offers recommended practices to optimize your journeys before launching them.

#### Launch

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-44-37.png)With launch settings, you can set [Exit Criteria](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/exit-criteria-for-journeys) and [Journey Goals](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/journey-goals), select a [journey language](/docs/journey-language), set an [activation day and time](/docs/start-and-end-date), select an [activation status](/docs/architect-activation-status), configure [user eligibility](/docs/user-eligibility), and [override general entry capping](/docs/override-general-frequency-capping).

#### Start

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-47-55.png)You can click the **Select Starter** button to start designing your journey.

[Journey Flow Elements](https://player.vimeo.com/video/1172822031?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479)

If this video does not load in your region, you can watch it on our [YouTube Channel](https://youtu.be/A190aBOVtFM).

## 4. Select a Starter

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-48-20.png)You should define a trigger that will start your journey. Select one of the following entry points, namely starter elements:

- [On Event](/docs/on-event)
- [On Attribute Change](/docs/on-attribute-change)
- [User Website Action](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-journey-starter-user-website-action)
- [On Past Behavior](/docs/what-is-on-past-behavior)
- [On Dynamic Date](/docs/dynamic-date)
- [On Price Drop](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-journey-starter-on-price-drop)
- [On Back in Stock](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-journey-starter-on-back-in-stock)

## 5. Select a Wait Element

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jul%2018%2011-57-21.png)You should give your users some time to take specific actions after the starter element. Select one of the following [Wait elements](/docs/what-is-wait-element):

- [Wait for Some Time](/docs/what-is-wait-for-some-time)
- [Wait Until a Time Slot](/docs/what-is-wait-until-a-time-slot)
- [Wait for Event](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/wait-for-event)
- [Wait for Attribute](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/wait-for-attribute)

## 6. Select a Condition

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-49-08.png)You should track users' behavior and actions in your messages and starters, and their reachability on the channels you want to communicate with them. Select one of the condition elements:

- [Check Interaction](/docs/check-interaction)
- [Check Reachability](/docs/what-is-check-reachability)
- [Check Conditions](/docs/what-is-check-conditions)
- [Check API Response](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-journey-check-api-response)

## 7. Select a Channel

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-49-59.png)You can engage and convert your users with cross-channel communications. Select one of the channels that are available for your account:

- [Web push](/docs/what-is-web-push)
- [App push](/docs/what-is-app-push)
- [Email](/docs/what-is-email)
- [SMS](/docs/what-is-sms)
- [WhatsApp](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-whatsapp)
- [In-App](/docs/whats-inapp)
- [On-Site](/docs/what-is-on-site)
- [Facebook](/docs/facebook-custom-audiences)
- [Call an API](/docs/what-is-call-an-api)
- [Google Ads](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-channel-google-ads-customer-match)

Your title goes hereBefore starting to use any channel, make sure to complete the respective requirements that are explained in the [advanced implementation guide](/docs/advanced-implementation-guide).

## 8. Select an Action

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-50-48.png)You can take action based on your users' responses to your messages. This step is optional. Select one of the actions that you want to take:

- [Update user attribute](/docs/update-user-attribute)
- [Update Static Segment](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-update-contact-list)

## 9. Optimize Your Journey

Journeys help you analyze your users' behavior and interactions throughout the funnel and foresee any possible issues. Once you optimize the flow based on these insights, you can improve the performance of your journey.

You can [optimize your journey](/docs/optimization-of-journeys) using various use cases. For example, you can use A/B Split and Next Best Channel to select the correct channel to interact with users.

#### A/B Split

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-51-35.png)Add the [A/B Split](/docs/what-is-ab-split) element to branch your journey flow, compare different elements, and select the best-performing element for your journey.

#### Next Best Channel

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%20at%20Jun%2011%2015-52-36.png)Add the [Next Best Channel](/docs/what-is-next-best-channel) element to journeys to automate your decisions based on each user's past behavior.

Your title goes hereRead more on [selecting the correct channel](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/optimization-of-journeys#selecting-the-correct-channel) to optimize your journeys.

## 10. Launch Your Journey

Once you complete the flow, you should configure the [launch settings](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-journey-launch-settings) and save your journey in the **Test** status.

## 11. Test Your Journey

Before launching your journey, you should always test it as an end user to experience what your users will experience. Test your journey using one of the [test options](/docs/test-options).

## 12. Track Analytics

[Architect Analytics](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-analytics) allows you to see the results and evaluate many metrics on various analytics pages. Track the results of your journey via one of the dashboards:

- [Analytics dashboard](/docs/architect-analytics-dashboard)
- [Live statistics](/docs/live-statistics)
- [Single journey analytics](/docs/overall-statistics)
- Channel statistics for [web push](/docs/web-push-channel-statistics), [app push](/docs/app-push-channel-statistics), [email](/docs/email-channel-statistics), [SMS](/docs/sms-channel-statistics), [onsite](/docs/on-site-channel-statistics), [WhatsApp](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-whatsapp-channel-analytics), [InApp](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/architect-in-app-analytics), and [Call an API](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/call-an-api-statistics)
- [A/B split analytics](/docs/ab-split-statistics-1)

## Related

- [Architect Feature Set](/architect-feature-set.md)
- [Cross-Platform Omnichannel Journeys](/cross-platform-omni-channel-journeys.md)
- [Optimization of Journeys](/optimization-of-journeys.md)
- [Architect Glossary](/architect-terms-to-know.md)