A scenario is a description of a person’s interaction with a system. Scenarios help focus design efforts on the user’s requirements, which are distinct from technical or business requirements. Scenarios may be related to ‘use cases’, which describe interactions at a technical level. Unlike use cases, however, scenarios can be understood by people who do not have any technical background. They are therefore suitable for use during participatory design activities.
When are scenarios appropriate?
Scenarios are appropriate whenever you need to describe a system interaction from the user’s perspective.
They are particularly useful when you need to remove focus from the technology in order to open up design possibilities, or when you need to ensure that technical or budgetary constraints do not override usability constraints without due consideration.
Scenarios can help confine complexity to the technology layer (where it belongs), and prevent it from becoming manifest within the user interface.
How do you use scenarios?
Use scenarios during design to ensure that all participants understand and agree to the design parameters, and to specify exactly what interactions the system must support. Translate scenarios into tasks for conducting walk-through activities and usability tests.
Example Scenarios of Monday Clinic Mobile App Assignment
Scenario 01(Hellan, Claire and Catherine at Monday Clinic)
Hellan (26) woke up early in the morning with a fresh mind because it is the day she has to go to the Monday clinic as referred by her doctor James (55) since her body mass index is about 38. Though she loves to play around with friends, now all her fun activities are limited because of the pregnancy. However Hellan managed to live happily since her mother Claire (48) is always encouraging her and trying to make her smile. Both Clair and Hellan entered to the clinic. About eight pregnant ladies were there waiting for their midwives. Small chat among them started and one started of sharing her experience since this was her second time of being pregnant. All listened carefully till she gets the next call to enter to the room. Then after a little time, Hellan was called to her assigned midwife Catherine (49).
Catherine started the conversation with a smile on her face saying that “Hellan you look pretty”. “Really?” That was the answer from Hellan. Then Catherine wanted to know how she is feeling now. At the same time Catherine went to the cupboard and came with Hellan’s personal file. Hellan started saying how she feels now and some difficulties with her while walking. Catherine was noting them out. And then Catherine asked from Hellan whether she is drinking enough water each and every day. Hellan was bit worries and she told that yes, but not much. Then again Catherine went to the cupboard and came with a spread sheet and saying “This will help you to keep track of each and every drop of water you drink”. That was a small booklet to keep tracks of the mount of her drinking water. Catherine gave instructions to update that each and every day and at the end of the day it should be more than 2 Litters per day at least. Hellan was happy with that. And then Catherrine wanted to know about the day today activities that Hellan normally do. The idea of that was to get some information about the exercise that Hellan is having. So Hellan told that she loves to be in her room and in front of the computer as well. And occasionally she loves shopping with her mother Claire. So Catherine realised that Hellan is not getting enough exercise and gave a leaflet with all the exercises which are possible to do at this stage. So Catherine told if she can see the updates each and every day, it is easy. But it was not possible since they are meeting just once a week. So Catherine asked Hellan to ring her anytime if she is feeling bad after her exercises.
Then Catherine wanted to know about the recipes now Hellan is having. That is because it should fit according to the exercises now she is having. So for that Catherine gave small booklet with rich recipes which will fit to Hellan at this stage. That includes all the nutrition amounts they having too. Hellan told that it is going to be very useful for her and with a smile face “Busy routine for my mom”. Catherine asked for the weight reporting book that has provided by Helan’s doctor and she had went through each and every report of it. She was happy about it and asked her to keep updating it regularly. Suddenly Hellan started saying that it is good that if they can share the experience among the pregnant ladies. That was because she could listen to one outside and she was interested on it. Catherine suggested that they are going to conduct some workshops for all as well. Hellan was happy of hearing that. Then Catherine took a blood sample and a urine sample from Hellan and gave to her assistant with the file to record the results on it. So it was a happy and an interesting session to Hellan and she left the clinic with the hope of meeting on next Monday.
Scenario 02 (Sara Singh and Silvia at Monday Clinic)
Sara Singh (40) from Sheffield, Doncaster, was significantly overweight when she became pregnant with her six year child, due in January 2010. After referring her to the Monday clinic by her doctor, she decided to go there and meet her assigned midwife for some advices. She got up early in the morning and dressed with her little baby and head towards the Monday clinic. When she entered to the clinic she was the only one and directly she could move to her assigned midwife Silvia (52). She was welcome with a smile and Silvia asked her to sit with her little baby. Then they started the conversation. Sara started with “My little baby is seven,” she explained, “and I never had the chance to lose weight after the baby before I was expecting again.”
As Sara started the conversation, Silvia got many questions regarding Sara’s obesity in pregnancy. She wanted to know what are the difficulties now she is experiencing and also she wanted some information regarding here baby as well. Then Sara started explaining her difficulties because of her obesity. After her explanation Silvia got the idea that Sara is not taking any kind of exercise to her body other than walking for the nursery with her little baby. So Silvia noted them in the personal file of Sara and gave her few leaflets with the possible exercises for Sara. She was advised to do them for a schedule and note all the details after an exercise session. And bring to her on next day. Then Silvia asked her to keep track of her meals as well because she was in a serious point of pregnancy. So Silvia gave her two set of leaflets which contains few websites of healthy recipes for a pregnant lady since Sara told that she is having the internet connection at her home. Then Silvia wanted to have her current weight since she is going to keep tracks each and every week here after. And since she has the experience, Silvia asked Sara whether she can come to a meeting session conducted by Silvia on next Tuesday. Then she can share here previous experience with all the other newly pregnant ladies. The idea with Silvia was to gather all and share their own experiences. After a successful session Sara left the place hoping to attend the meeting on next Tuesday.
Scenario 03 (Chloe Brown and Cheryl at Monday Clinic)
Chloe Brown (21) from Rotherham was a college student who became accidently pregnant after breaking up with her ex-boyfriend. She was stressed from the beginning of the pregnancy because she knew that she has to take care of the baby as she was living on her own. After seeing her GP for couple of times she was being referred to a midwife at Monday clinic because it came up with positive results with the pregnancy tests.
When Chloe was stepping inside the clinic she was welcomed by the receptionist with a wide smile and a warm greeting. She was feeling so much better with the warm welcome then she was advised to wait in the waiting area until her turn. After few minutes she was called inside by one of the midwives for consultation.
“Hi, I am Cheryl and I am going to consult now on…” Cheryl (37) introduced herself to Chloe. “Hi…” Chloe replied with a fading smile on her pale face. Cheryl realised that Chloe needs some extra help to build up her mental condition. “So how are you feeling today?” Cheryl started the conversation with a caring gesture. “Tired and more responsible...” Chloe replied with her usual laid back tone.
“Ok, we need to do some extra work to make our little chap.. so I am going to explain you what we should do.. And shouldn’t do” Cheryl started the consultation process from the beginner level because it was Chloe’s very first pregnancy. “Ok...” Chloe replied.
“First let’s start with eating habits...” Cheryl started with the nutrition lesson and at the same time she explained the effect from alcohol and nicotine on pregnancy which became an interesting point to Chloe because she used to smoke occasionally and yet used to go out for drinks on every Friday night. So Cheryl explained her that she needs to take extra care of herself for the sake of the baby. As the conversation was going on they realised that Chloe needs some practices to change her normal routine.
Also Cheryl made sure that Chloe understands the nutrition is more important than maintaining the figure because she mentioned about the recent diet schedules she used to follow. So Chloe was given a pregnancy meal planner which Cheryl expected her to follow to keep the nutrition levels up. Also Cheryl advised that Chloe can take an evening walk every evening that will help her to build up her mind and will help her to get rid of smoking.
Also Chloe was given some nutrition awareness leaflets and a booklet on yoga exercise. Chloe’s was feeling better after talking to Cheryl and Chloe looked livelier. Cheryl gave her an organizer to record her meals and exercise sessions. Also Chloe was given a separate booklet to record her emotional changes and improvements with the pregnancy.
Finally before Chloe leaves the clinic she was advised of the Tuesday meeting that Cheryl thought that it would be nice for Chloe to attend and share her experience. Chloe left the consulting room with a smile that lit her face new hope and joy in her heart.
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