Conversation Flow Design
Real conversations are not linear. Users change topics, ask clarifying questions, and skip ahead. Good flow design handles these patterns gracefully.
Linear vs Branching Flows
Linear flow: A to B to C. Simple but rigid.
Branching flow: A leads to B or C depending on user input. Flexible but complex.
Most production agents need branching.
Designing Flows
Start by mapping the conversation:
State Machine Approach
Track conversation state explicitly:
Conditional Branching
Branch based on user input or data:
Collecting Information
Gather required data step by step:
Handling Topic Changes
Users switch topics. Detect and handle it:
Confirmation Loops
For important actions, confirm before proceeding:
Flow Recovery
Help users who get lost:
Tips
Use enums for state
Explicit states prevent bugs. You always know exactly where in the flow you are.
Handle confusion gracefully
Detect words like “help”, “confused”, “start over” and offer a reset.
Confirm destructive actions
Always ask “are you sure?” before deleting, cancelling, or changing important data.