User Journey

The series of steps a user takes to access a service or application using Single Sign-On (SSO) protocols.

Description

In the context of Single Sign-On (SSO) protocols, the user journey refers to the complete experience a user goes through when authenticating to access multiple applications or services with a single set of credentials. This journey typically starts when a user attempts to log in to a service that supports SSO. They are redirected to an identity provider, where they authenticate their identity. Once authenticated, the user is redirected back to the original application, gaining access without needing to remember multiple passwords. The user journey is critical in understanding how seamless and efficient the login process is, as well as how it impacts user satisfaction and security. A well-designed user journey minimizes friction, making it easy for users to navigate from one application to another while maintaining security through centralized authentication. Analyzing the user journey helps organizations improve their SSO implementations, ensuring they meet user needs and enhance overall productivity.

Examples

  • A user logs into Google Workspace and gains access to Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar without additional logins.
  • An employee uses Microsoft Azure Active Directory to log into Office 365 and subsequently accesses SharePoint and Teams seamlessly.

Additional Information

  • Understanding the user journey helps organizations identify pain points in the authentication process.
  • Enhancing the user journey can lead to higher adoption rates of SSO solutions and improved security.

References