User Scenarios- The first layer of UX Research and Design Services

UX research and design services commence with the listing of user scenarios. Identification of the target audience’s motivation, their behavior flow, needs, and challenges is essential for establishing a brand’s online presence. This blog post explores how we can build and use user scenarios to make digital products that attract significant user engagement.  

 

User Scenarios are stories or narratives that demonstrate why and how users will interact with digital products or services. The primary objective of user scenarios is to accurately map user requirements with a digital product. Every user scenario captures a user’s journey for availing a product’s value proposition. User research consultants can also create multiple scenarios around independent features of a single web interface.

A key aspect of user scenarios is that they capture the user’s perspective without listing product features. It is, therefore, critical for UX research consultants to not regard user scenarios as use cases while delivering UX research and design services.

 

How to derive User Scenarios through user research?

User scenarios are derived from user personas which are the primary deliverables of UX consulting services. It is also the reason why user scenarios are also popularly termed as “persona-based scenarios”. The impact analysis of digital products on user behavior depends on building scenarios around user personas. It enables designers and decision makers to experience a product or service from the users’ perspective.

 

The following elements are essential for framing user scenarios –

1. A real-world context– The user story should commence with a description of real-life task users can perform using the digital product. It should include task details to narrow the focus
2. A detailed plot– The storyline should reflect the challenges, goals, and actions of users to accomplish tasks. It is essential for designers to empathize with the user’s challenges in using the product and creatively overcome them
3. Product touchpoints – Scenarios should pin down where, when and why would a user need the digital product. The methodology should focus on ‘what happens and why’ and avoid detailing ‘how’ a particular design feature helps the user
4. Define expected outcome– Scenarios should never end on an ambiguous note because they become the basis of future product design. A description of the outcome of a scenario should be available. It provides a holistic view of the problem and describes how a user deals with it so we can formulate user-centric strategies

 

User Scenario Instances for UX research and design services

An example of a typical User Scenario should be based on a Look | Think | Act model. It can be framed both in the form of text and images. However, the crux of every user scenario should emphasize on-
“When …….. I want to …….. so I can …….” solely through a user’s perspective.

 

For instance-

When booking flight tickets online, I want to compare all flight rates on a single web page so I can book quickly and efficiently.

 

User scenarios are thus an effective design tool that illustrates a user’s journey through the digital product to make the end design interactive and responsive.

The UX experts at Oodles Studio conduct in-depth research of the target audience to deliver actionable user personas and scenarios. Connect with our team of researchers to accelerate the formulation of effective design strategies for your digital business.