A Product Manager’s AI Prototype for Visual Thinking and Documentation Automation 🪄 Overview Mermaid POC Chatbot is a Proof-of-Concept AI project designed to help Product Managers convert ideas, flows, and system interactions into Mermaid diagrams using natural language prompts. It demonstrates how a PM can go from concept → context → visualization, by orchestrating APIs, AI models, and frontend visualization — without deep engineering work. This POC also shows how modern PMs can prototype intelligent assistants that: Understand context from tools like Confluence Use GPT-based reasoning to generate structured diagrams Deliver instant visual documentation to improve team alignment

🧩 System Architecture The system has three layers — Frontend, Backend, and AI Layer — connected through a lightweight integration pattern. Layer Key Components PM Perspective Frontend index.html, script.js, style.css Represents the user experience layer where interaction happens. A PM can visualize how input (prompts) leads to visible diagrams. Backend main.py, requirements.txt Handles orchestration — receiving requests, calling APIs, and managing data flow. A PM learns how backend logic drives automation. AI Layer OpenAI GPT, Confluence API Shows how context is fetched and interpreted, demonstrating PM-led AI integration concepts.

🚀 Features ✅ Natural Language to Diagram: Turn written instructions into Mermaid flowcharts ✅ Contextual Awareness: Integrates Confluence API for relevant documentation insights ✅ OpenAI-Powered Generation: Uses GPT for intelligent structuring of diagram logic ✅ Lightweight Frontend: Simple, editable web UI for demos or learning sessions ✅ Educational Value: Built to help PMs understand and prototype AI workflows 💡 Why This Matters to Product Managers

Challenge How This POC Helps PMs struggle to visualize technical flows quickly Converts ideas into system diagrams using plain language. Documentation is often outdated or scattered Pulls live context from Confluence for AI-generated updates. PMs want to learn AI without coding complexity Demonstrates practical AI orchestration using simple APIs. Teams lose time aligning on architecture diagrams Generates standardized Mermaid diagrams instantly. ✨ Think of this as a Product Manager’s AI Copilot for visual documentation.

🧠 Learning Objectives (PM-Focused) By experimenting with this POC, a Product Manager will learn to: Bridge AI and Product Strategy — Understand how LLMs (like GPT) can enhance documentation and ideation flows. Prototype Without Engineers — Learn how simple API orchestration can validate ideas before formal development. Improve Team Alignment — Use visual outputs to enhance sprint planning, tech reviews, and stakeholder updates. Explore AI-Powered Workflows — Get hands-on with the same technologies driving modern AI product ecosystems.

🛠️ Setup & Installation Clone this repository git clone https://github.com/rashmigupta1109-ai-productmanager/Mermaid-POC-Chatbot.git cd Mermaid-POC-Chatbot Install dependencies pip install -r requirements.txt Configure environment variables Create a .env file and add: OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_api_key CONFLUENCE_API_TOKEN=your_confluence_api_token Run the backend python main.py Open the frontend Launch index.html in a browser Enter a prompt like: “Create a flow showing how a chatbot integrates OpenAI GPT and Confluence APIs.”

🧭 Example Use Case Prompt: “Show how the backend interacts with OpenAI GPT and Confluence to return a Mermaid diagram.” Generated Diagram: A visual representation of the backend–AI–frontend workflow (similar to the architecture above), automatically produced by the chatbot.

🔍 PM Takeaways -Concept PM Skill Developed -Mermaid.js Learn to represent product and system thinking visually -APIs (OpenAI, Confluence) Understand how data and AI context flow between systems -Prompt Design Practice writing structured prompts for predictable AI output -Technical Collaboration Communicate clearly with engineers using AI prototypes

✍️ Author Notes This POC is part of my ongoing series “How To - As a Product Manager”, where I explore how PMs can: Build hands-on understanding of AI and automation Use tools like Mermaid, OpenAI, and Confluence APIs to improve product storytelling Lead AI-first discussions confidently with technical and design teams 🚀 PMs who prototype understand faster. AI tools like this help you think, document, and lead with clarity.