How to evaluate use scenarios and stories

Abstract

Scenario-based methods, like the scenario-, storytelling-and story boarding-techniques, are broadly used in the context of user experience design. Practitioners cannot yet fully appreciate the benefits of scenario-based methods, because of the uncertainty that is often linked with the corresponding decision-making processes. This work aims at introducing a methodological proceeding for supporting the evaluation of use scenarios and stories, consisting of three modules. A checklist supports the initial assessment of scenarios by their creator, a questionnaire helps to identify if the content of scenarios represents the intended user experience, while a comparison-based method enables the association of possible media to visualize a scenario in the most appropriate way. Those findings ground on a literature study and exemplary application of the support. Increasing traceability of scenarios through a systematical assessment and a selection support would encourage usage of scenario-based methods and increase their acceptance.