How can you write clear, concise, and actionable user scenarios?

1 Define the user

The first step to write a user scenario is to define the user. Who are they? What are their characteristics, motivations, and needs? How familiar are they with the product or service? You can use personas, user segments, or user profiles to describe the user, as long as they are based on real data and research. The user should be relevant to the product or service, and representative of the target audience. You can also give the user a name and a photo to make them more human and relatable.

2 Define the goal

The next step is to define the goal. What is the user trying to achieve with the product or service? What is the outcome or benefit they expect? The goal should be specific, measurable, and realistic. It should also be aligned with the objectives and value proposition of the product or service. You can use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to define the goal. For example, a goal could be: "Book a flight from London to Paris for next weekend within 10 minutes".

3 Define the context

The third step is to define the context. Where and when is the user using the product or service? What are the external factors that influence their behavior and decisions? How do they access the product or service? The context should be realistic and relevant to the user and the goal. It should also reflect the scenarios and situations that the product or service is designed for. You can use the 5W+H framework (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How) to define the context. For example, a context could be: "The user is at home on a Saturday morning, using their laptop and a web browser to search for flights".

4 Define the steps

The fourth step is to define the steps. How does the user interact with the product or service to achieve their goal? What are the actions and tasks they perform? What are the inputs and outputs they provide and receive? The steps should be clear, concise, and actionable. They should also be realistic and logical, following the user journey and the product or service flow. You can use numbered sentences, verbs, and screenshots to define the steps. For example, a step could be: "1. The user enters 'London' and 'Paris' in the origin and destination fields".

5 Define the success criteria

The fifth step is to define the success criteria. How do you know if the user has achieved their goal? What are the indicators and measures of success? How do you evaluate the user experience? The success criteria should be specific, measurable, and realistic. They should also be aligned with the user and the goal, and the product or service performance and quality. You can use metrics, ratings, feedback, or observations to define the success criteria. For example, a success criterion could be: "The user finds a flight that matches their preferences and budget, and completes the booking process without errors or delays".

6 Define the variations

The final step is to define the variations. How can you modify the user scenario to test different aspects of the product or service? What are the alternative or additional user scenarios that you can create? How can you increase the complexity or difficulty of the user scenario? The variations should be realistic and relevant to the user and the goal, and the product or service features and functions. They should also be diverse and diverse, covering different use cases and edge cases. You can use variables, options, or scenarios to define the variations. For example, a variation could be: "The user wants to book a return flight with a different airline".

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?