Writing problem scenarios is a highly simple and intuitive task. Problem scenarios provide insights into specific work life frustrations through storytelling. The main motivation for writing a problem scenario is to provide a snapshot of a particular problem occurring in a specific instance of work practice.
For e.g. if we are writing a problem scenario for a restaurant which does not have an organized reservation system, what is the problem we might have observed from their work practice of taking a reservation? It might be the seating order or it might be the rush. Our problem scenario should then be written around a specific instance about a manager who is getting frustrated to decide seats for two elderly people. Associating a problem to a particular instance helps other stakeholders to appreciate the problem.
Once the problem scenario is presented, one can than provide a possible solution to the given problem and perform claims analysis. However, before going into that I feel it is better to complete the above step of creating problem scenario itself.
Composition of problem scenario.
As pointed out above, the problem scenarios should be written as stories and not just mere facts. Keeping this in mind, a rough template will look something like below
Background about the actors and the situation. (The personas should be used to set the background) (5-10 lines)
Description of a particular activity in the situation. (5-10 lines)
Problem faced by the artor(s) in the situation. (7-20 lines)
Example
The following is a simple example problem scenario which was taken up above. Please keep in mind that there is no specific length for the scenario. However, more detailed it is, the more insight it provides.
Tim is a manager who is working in Allen Street Grill from past 1 year. Prior to this he worked as a Jr. Manager in Chipotle. This is the first time he is working in a fine dinning restaurant. He is often assisted by 5 waiters on a particular shift. The restaurant due to its situation in center of the college town is constantly packed.
Today, is no different. The restaurant has been receiving constant flood of customers from the morning. The ongoing arts festival is only making it worse. Tim, along with the 5 waiters are barely able to manage to serve all the tables.
On seeing two elderly couple entering the door, he realizes that he should as fast as possible and greet them. However, he is guiding a new waiter to clean an obscured table which is in the corner. After completing the instructions he approaches the elderly couple and apologizes for the inconvenience.
He gets ready to lead them to a table which appears to be marked as empty with a marker on a small white board. He is confused because of the partial marking whether the table is indeed empty. He decides to lead them anyway as there are other customers who are waiting in line. On reaching to the table, he realizes to his embarrassment that the table is already occupied. He curses the person who did not properly mark on the white board. He then apologizes to the couple and shows them to another seat.
What is problem scenario?
Writing problem scenarios is a highly simple and intuitive task. Problem scenarios provide insights into specific work life frustrations through storytelling. The main motivation for writing a problem scenario is to provide a snapshot of a particular problem occurring in a specific instance of work practice.
For e.g. if we are writing a problem scenario for a restaurant which does not have an organized reservation system, what is the problem we might have observed from their work practice of taking a reservation? It might be the seating order or it might be the rush. Our problem scenario should then be written around a specific instance about a manager who is getting frustrated to decide seats for two elderly people. Associating a problem to a particular instance helps other stakeholders to appreciate the problem.
Once the problem scenario is presented, one can than provide a possible solution to the given problem and perform claims analysis. However, before going into that I feel it is better to complete the above step of creating problem scenario itself.
Composition of problem scenario.
As pointed out above, the problem scenarios should be written as stories and not just mere facts. Keeping this in mind, a rough template will look something like below
Example
The following is a simple example problem scenario which was taken up above. Please keep in mind that there is no specific length for the scenario. However, more detailed it is, the more insight it provides.
Tim is a manager who is working in Allen Street Grill from past 1 year. Prior to this he worked as a Jr. Manager in Chipotle. This is the first time he is working in a fine dinning restaurant. He is often assisted by 5 waiters on a particular shift. The restaurant due to its situation in center of the college town is constantly packed. Today, is no different. The restaurant has been receiving constant flood of customers from the morning. The ongoing arts festival is only making it worse. Tim, along with the 5 waiters are barely able to manage to serve all the tables.
On seeing two elderly couple entering the door, he realizes that he should as fast as possible and greet them. However, he is guiding a new waiter to clean an obscured table which is in the corner. After completing the instructions he approaches the elderly couple and apologizes for the inconvenience.
He gets ready to lead them to a table which appears to be marked as empty with a marker on a small white board. He is confused because of the partial marking whether the table is indeed empty. He decides to lead them anyway as there are other customers who are waiting in line. On reaching to the table, he realizes to his embarrassment that the table is already occupied. He curses the person who did not properly mark on the white board. He then apologizes to the couple and shows them to another seat.