Sequence Diagram: Tools and Tips for Effective Visual Documentation

How I leveraged this tool as a Tesla Product Manager

Jean Huang
PM101

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Are Sequence Diagrams Still Relevant? Information about sequence diagrams is somewhat outdated, leading you to wonder, “Do people still use this stuff? It looks so old-fashioned!”

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During my time working on the financial services (order to cash) product at Tesla, there were numerous integrations among various components such as orders, billing, taxes, and accounting. One of the most frequently utilized tools for illustrating these integrations was sequence diagrams.

Screenshot from sequencediagram.org

I prefer using code-based tools to create these diagrams. They enable the team to visualize system design discussions in real time. I can easily adjust the diagram as discussions with engineers or stakeholders progress, making meetings highly efficient.

So, to answer this question from my experience, I say, “Yes! Many people in the industry are using Sequence Diagrams!” and I think this can be a great skill in your PM toolbox.

What is a Sequence Diagram?

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Jean Huang
PM101
Writer for

Product Manager | LinkedIn @ jean-huang | 舊金山灣區產品經理