---
title: Creating the journey
slug: aep-bootcamp-uk/creating-the-journey
description: >-
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-01-30T23:03:21.354Z
---

In this exercise, you'll be creating and testing a journey using all the components you've created in the previous exercises.

## Journey overview

To get an overview of all journeys in Adobe Experience Platform:

1. In the menu on the left side, under **Journey Management**, click on **Journeys**. You will see a overview with all existing journeys.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/ji5loOSKQ-lP2YYB8lHSu_image.png)

## Creating a journey

We'll be creating a journey that will send an email message to customers that have a flight booked in the next 2 weeks to give them an offer for a flight ancillary, like a cabin upgrade. When the flight check in opens, we want to send the customer a push notification or email to inform them they can now check into their flight.

Click on **Create Journey**. You'll be taken to the **Journey canvas** with the journey properties opened.

1. Set the name to `[your name] - Onboarding Journey`.
2. For the other properties we'll keep the default values.
3. Your screen should look like the image below. Click **Save** to save and close the properties.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/yBwSC0VLMczYExyN8pF2V_image.png)

You're now in the journey canvas. This is where you'll be creating your journey's logic. In the left menu you have **activities**. There's three types of activities:

**Events** are the triggers that can start or continue your journey.

**Orchestration** is the logic of your journey. It looks at conditions, audiences, but can also be used to make your workflow wait or end.

**Actions** are the results of your journey. This can be messages, profiles updates or API calls.

### Audience Qualification

1. We're starting our workflow of with an audience entry trigger. From the events tab, choose **Audience Qualification** and drag it onto the canvas.
2. Click on the activity to open the detailed view.
   1. Set the **label** to `Flight in next 2 weeks`.
   2. Click on **Audience** to open a window, select your audience **WKND Fly - Flight Departure in next 2 weeks** from the list and click **Save**.
   3. Set the **behavior**  to `Enter`. This means the journey will start as soon as the customer qualifies for the audience.
   4. Set the **namespace** to `Email (Email)`.
   5. Your screen should look like the image below. Click **Save**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/BV864vvjyA-KlZXcCZzqe_image.png)

### Condition - Departure date

Since it's possible for someone to book last-minute, we want to make sure we do not send them two messages in rapid succession. Instead we will put them on a separate path. 

1. From the orchestration tab, choose **Condition** and drag it onto the empty circle on the canvas.
2. Click on the activity to open the detailed view.
   1. Set the **label** to `Departure date`.
   2. Click on **Path1** and change the label to `Less than 24 hours away`.
   3. Click on the text field below** Expression** to open a window.
      1. On the left side, open **Audiences**. Scroll down till you find the audience you created called **WKND Fly - Flight Departure in next 24 hours** and drag it to the right side.
      2. By default the statement should be on `true`, if not click the toggle. Checks if the title reads `WKND Fly - Flight Departure in next 24 hours audience membership is true` and click **Ok**. 
      3. Click **Ok** to save the conditions.
   4. Check **Show path for other cases than one(s) above** and set the label to `More than 24 hours away`.
   5. Your screen should look like the image below. Click **Save**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/D61UPoSIpEvqU4cW7kFWD_image.png)

In our journey we want to add additional steps for customers with departure dates more than 24 hours away.

1. **Rearrange the paths **so that the "More than 24 hours away"-path is on top.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/t_P5yZK2U8qAPFsYF-fXi_image.png)

### Email #1 - Ancillary offer

1. From the actions tab, choose **Email** and drag it onto the empty circle behind the "More than 24 hours away"-path.
2. Click on the activity to open the detailed view.
   1. Set the **label** to `Ancillary offer`.
   2. Set the **category** to `Marketing`.
   3. Set the **email surface** to `MarketingMessages`.
   4. Enable **Send time optimization**, choose to **Optimize send time** for `Opens` and set it to **send within next** `24` hours.
   5. Click on **Edit content** to start designing your email.
      1. Click on the subject line text box, and set it to `Get ready for your upcoming flight!`.
   6. Click on **Edit email body**. Under **Saved templates**, choose `WKND Fly - Default Template`. It will show you a preview of the template. Click on **Use this template**.
3. The email designer will now open. It should look like this:

![](https://adbecdn.azureedge.net/labs/archbee/emeaProjectsAEPBootZurichLab2Ajo/uc2-journey5-email1-template.png)

:::hint{type="info"}
Don't feel like building the email? You can choose the `WKND Fly - Ancillary offer email` to get the completed email.
:::

In the left menu you have **components**.

**Structure components** are the building blocks of your email, they will determine the layout of your email. 

**Content components** are the different forms of content that you can place inside your structure components, like text, buttons and images.

1. We'll not be using a header image in this email. Select the Header image component by clicking on the side of the component. The entire row should have a blue border. In the pop-up menu click  to delete the component.
2. Click the **Header text component**
   1. Change the text to: `Get ready for your flight (FLIGHT_DETAIL)`!
   2. Select the text `FLIGHT_DETAIL`, delete it and click on the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-user-large"} **icon** to add personalization.
   3. In **Profile attributes**, search for `latest`. Open the folder **Latest Action** and click on the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-plus"} **icon** to add `actionProduct` to your expression. It should  read:`{{profile._demopotemea.latestAction.actionProduct}}`
   4. Click **Save**.
3. Click the **Body text component**
   1. Change the text to:

      FIRSTNAME, your flight is coming up soon, we look forward to welcoming you on board!

      In the meantime, explore our offers for flight upgrades and more.

   2. Select the text `FIRSTNAME`, delete it and click on the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-user-large"} **icon** to add personalization.
   3. In Profile attributes, search for `first` and click the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-plus"} **icon** to add `First Name` to your expression. It should read:`{{profile.person.name.firstName}}`** <font color="#ff0000">*There are multiple firstName fields in the data model, pick the one that is stored under attributes &gt; Person &gt; Full name.*</font>
   4. Click **Save**.
4. The top of your email should now look like this:

   ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/7sxwgHBOY_OJ6yIlZCC9h_image.png)
5. Select the **Button component** by clicking on the side of the component. The entire row should have a blue border. In the pop-up menu click the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-trash-can"} **icon** to delete the component.
6. Now let's add a personalized offer to the email. From the **structural components** drag a `1:1 column` onto the email, underneath the **Body text component**.
7. From the **content components** drag an `Offer decision` onto the 1:1 column you just added to the email. Then click on **Add**, a pop-up window will open.
   1. In the top left, select `Email - Image (full width)`.
   2. Check the **WKND Fly - Flight ancillaries** offer decision and click on **Add** in the top right of the window.
   3. Under **Offer preview**, you can see the potential offers customers could receive.
8. Your screen should look like the image below. Click **Save** in the top right. Navigate out of the Email designer by clicking the arrow on the top left of your screen. Then navigate out of the email overview by clicking on the arrow on the top left. You will be taken back to the journey canvas.

![](https://adbecdn.azureedge.net/labs/archbee/emeaProjectsAEPBootZurichLab2Ajo/uc2-journey-7-email1-design.png)

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/niVmVW5Fzhb1KTt92GKRl-20250929-112622.png)

### Audience Qualification

Next, we want to wait for the customer's flight check in to open. You can use a wait activity for this, but since we have an audience for this we'll use this instead.&#x20;

1. We're going to check if the customer enters our **WKND Fly - Flight Departure in next 24 hours** audience, because this would indicate the check in for their flight has opened. From the events tab, choose **Audience Qualification** and drag it onto the canvas after the **Email - Ancillary offer**.
2. Click on the activity to open the detailed view.
   1. Set the **label** to `Flight in next 24 hours`.
   2. Click on **Audience** to open a window, select your audience **WKND Fly - Flight Departure in next 24 hours** from the list and click **Save**.
   3. Set the **behavior**  to `Enter`. This means it will only trigger as soon as the customer qualifies for the audience.
   4. Your screen should look like the image below. Click **Save**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/XClx_ijc3aDLHgmZLklml-20250929-112803.png)

### Condition - Push or email?

Each customer has a preferred channel for receiving communication. Let's take this into account when designing the journey.

1. From the orchestration tab, choose **Condition** and drag it onto the empty circle behind the Audience Qualification.
2. Click on the activity to open the detailed view.
   1. Set the **label** to `Push or email?`.
   2. Click on **Path1** and change the label to `Push`.
   3. Click on **Add an expression** to open a window.
      1. On the left side, open **Audiences**. Scroll down till you find the audience called **WKND Fly - Mobile app users** and drag it to the right side.
      2. By default the statement should be on `true`, if not click the toggle. Checks if the title reads `The WKND Fly - Mobile app users audience membership is true` and click **Ok**.&#x20;
      3. Click **Ok** to save the conditions.
   4. Check **Show path for other cases than one(s) above** and set the label to `Email`.
   5. Your screen should look like the image below. Click **Save**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/TMK7UmReZKSUB6O8CZbM--20250929-113009.png)

At this point we want the customers with last-minute flights to merge in with the population. We need to rearrange the canvas a little bit.&#x20;

1. Drag the **Condition - Push or email?**-activity on top of the **end** behind the **Condition - Departure date**-activity. This will connect them and merge the customers into this path.
2. Now move the **Condition - Push or email?**-activity to the right so the journey becomes more readable. Additionally you can align both **ends** to look nicer.
3. Your canvas should now look like this :

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/ogj6C3PioO6VmQMm7-ZQ2_image.png)

### Push #1 - Check in

1. From the actions tab, choose **Push** and drag it onto the empty circle on the canvas at the **Push**-path.
2. Click on the activity to open the detailed view.
   1. Set the **label** to `Check in`.
   2. Set the **category** to `Transactional`.
   3. Set the **push surface** to `transactionalMessages`.
   4. Click on **Properties,&#x20;**&#x61;t the bottom left, to start designing your push.
      1. Set the **title** to `Check in for your flight now`.
      2. To change the **body**, click on the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-user"} **icon** beside the text box. A window will open allowing you to write advanced expressions. Copy the following text in:
         *Are you ready for your flight: FLIGHT\_NAME?*
         1. Select and remove the text `FLIGHT_NAME`.
         2. In **Profile attributes**, search for `latest`. Open the folder **Latest Action** and click on the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-plus"} **icon** to add `actionProduct` to your expression. It should read:
            `Are you ready for your flight: {{profile._demopotemea.latestAction.actionProduct}}?`
         3. Click **Save**.
      3. To add an image, click on **Add media**.&#x20;
      4. If you're asked to accept the new terms and conditions, accept it.
      5. Click on the "picture" icon to open Assets Essentials.
      6. Assets Essentials will open. Navigate to **Demo Brands > WKND Fly** and select the image `wknd-fly-logo-square.png` and click **Select** in the top right.
      7. Your screen should look like the image below.&#x20;
         Navigate out of the designer by clicking the arrow on the top left of your screen.
      8.

         ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/_q6MiigALs3w4SWIyHzna_image.png)
      9. Your screen should look like the image below. Click **Ok**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/jPCFKmUA6v7e13TXoCBpX_image.png)

### Email #2 - Check in

1. From the actions tab, choose **Email** and drag it onto the empty circle.
2. Click on the activity to open the detailed view.
   1. Set the **label** to `Check in`.
   2. Set the **category** to `Transactional`.
   3. Set the **email surface** to `transactionalMessages`.
   4. Click on **Edit content** to start designing your email.
      1. Click on the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-user"}**&#x20;icon** to create a subject line. Set it to `Check in for your upcoming flight!`.
      2. Click **Save**.
   5. Click on **Edit email body**. Under **Saved templates**, choose `WKND Fly - Default Template`. It will show you a preview of the template. Click on **Use this template**.
3. The email designer will now open. It should look like this:

![](https://adbecdn.azureedge.net/labs/archbee/emeaProjectsAEPBootZurichLab2Ajo/uc2-journey-15-email2-template.png)

:::hint{type="info"}
Don't feel like building the email? You can choose the `WKND Fly - Check in email` to get the completed email.
:::

In the left menu you have **components**.

**Structure components** are the building blocks of your email, they will determine the layout of your email.&#x20;

**Content components** are the different forms of content that you can place inside your structure components, like text, buttons and images.

1. Let's put in a header image first. Click on **Browse** in the header component of the email template. This will open the **Assets Essentials** interface. Navigate to **Demo Brands > WKND Fly** and select the image `header-airplane.png` and click **Select** in the top right.
2. Click the **Header text component**
   1. Change the text to: `Check in for your upcoming flight (FLIGHT_DETAIL)`!
   2. Select the text `FLIGHT_DETAIL`, delete it and click on the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-user"} **icon** to add personalization.
   3. In **Profile attributes**, search for `latest`. Open the folder **Latest Action** and click on the :FontAwesome[]{icon="fa-solid fa-plus"} **icon** to add `actionProduct` to your expression. It should  read:`{{profile._demopotemea.latestAction.actionProduct}}`
   4. Click **Save**.
3. Click the **Body text component** and change the text to:

   *It's less than 24 hours until your departure, check in online and reserve your seats, preorder your onboard meal and more...*

4. Click the **Button component** and change the button label to `Check in Online`.
5. Your screen should look like the image below. Click **Save** in the top right. Navigate out of the Email designer by clicking the arrow on the top left of your screen. Then navigate out of the email overview by clicking on the arrow on the top left. You will be taken back to the journey canvas.

![](https://adbecdn.azureedge.net/labs/archbee/emeaProjectsAEPBootZurichLab2Ajo/uc2-journey-16-email2-design.png)

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/1Jp0iolWv35Z_mkI7oUiT/y0b7nTQGVTnhz0L-eAHIj_image.png)

:::hint{type="success"}
You have now successfully created the onboarding journey using the Adobe Journey Optimizer. Next, we are going to test our journey using Test Mode.
:::