The flow of product data across user activity, sessions, events, and transactions

Product data follows a logical flow that represents how users interact with a digital product from the moment they enter to the point where they generate value. Understanding this flow is essential for analyzing user behavior and making growth decisions.

The flow typically begins with the user. A user signs up and is assigned a unique user_id. This user then interacts with the product by starting a session. Each session represents a visit to the platform and is identified by a session_id.

Within each session, multiple events are recorded. These events capture specific actions such as logging in, viewing a page, clicking a feature, or initiating a checkout. Each of these actions is tracked with an event_name and a timestamp.

Finally, some users complete a transaction, which is recorded in the orders table. This represents a conversion, where user activity leads to business value. The transaction is identified using an order_id and includes the total amount.

This flow can be summarized as:

User → Session → Events → Transaction

For beginners, the goal is to:

• Understand how product data moves across different tables
• Recognize how user actions lead to business outcomes
• Identify how tables are connected through user_id and session_id
• Learn how to retrieve data from each stage of the flow

• How users enter and interact with the product
• What actions occur during sessions
• How behavior leads to conversions
• Where users drop off in the process

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The Basic Pattern

SELECT column_name
FROM table_name;
  

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Examples

Example 1 — View User Activity

Example 2 — View Session Activity

Example 3 — View Conversion Data

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Practice Tasks (Your Turn!)

Task 1

View the event name and event timestamp from the events table.

Task 2

View the session ID and traffic source from the sessions table.

Task 3

View the user ID and plan type from the users table.