Keeping track of triggers and variables with storyboards?

Thank you all for your suggestions and perspective. Phil, I really like your explanation of variables. It's the first explanation I've read that makes sense to me. I like it because it addresses the underlying logic. Most of the tutorials I have found don't do that - they explain how to use a variable (or a trigger) for a specific situation. I have trouble applying that to the next situation, because the underlying principle is not clear. This is true of the forum content, too. Everyone is willing to help (which is a lovely thing in a forum), but I often come away with an answer to my specific question but no wider understanding of the function I'm trying to learn. 

Matthew, I'm not exactly on a deadline, but I've been struggling with a single interactive software simulation for over a week, and my manager keeps asking when I'll be done. 

The software has drop-down lists and fields. The drop-downs are easy. The fields became a little easier once I realized that SL places the text entry boxes off into the gray area instead of on the screen, but I'm still trying to figure out what makes one or two of them work (or not). The first one is a series of three fields to indicate the height, width, and length of a box. The user must enter a number in each, tabbing or Entering to move from one to the next. SL records these as a single field containing a single number (362824) instead three fields containing 36 and then 28 and then 24.

I can't send a clip - I would be skinned alive. But I have attached a word document with the triggers for each slide. Right now, they are a mess. I can type 36 in the first one and move to the second one by pressing Enter, but that's it. I hope it's clear enough this way. 

And thanks. Again!