Scenarios and Information Design: A User‐Oriented Practical Guide

Citation

du Preez, M. (2007), "Scenarios and Information Design: A User‐Oriented Practical Guide", The Electronic Library, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 117-118. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470710729191

The information society with its information overload has created a great need for information systems that are designed to assist information users easily retrieving the information they need from those systems. These systems need to be designed in such a way that they accommodate both the needs of the users as well as their interactions with information and information systems. The design of information systems further requires teamwork and each team member must use his/her talent to understand users and the environments in which they will use the information system.

In the introduction of Scenarios and Information Design: A User‐Oriented Practical Guide, authors Mary Lynn Rice‐Lively and Hsin‐Liang Chen explain the value scenarios have in providing information designers with new ways to better understand and plan individualised and complicated information systems, indicating what can go wrong with scenario‐less planning. The book therefore aims at guiding the reader to a broad but practical understanding of the theoretical foundations of scenario construction and user‐focused information design. It utilises case studies from the real world to reinforce the practical guidelines outlined in each chapter. Practical exercises at the end of each chapter facilitate the application of the concepts explored, as the reader develops a strategic understanding of user‐friendly information design techniques and scenario planning.

The authors take readers through an exploration of a variety of theoretical, analytical and practical methods to inform and guide readers in an information design project. The user‐focused information design processes discussed in eight chapters of this volume address the many challenges information system designers face in both their physical and electronic information worlds. The book is divided into two parts. Part I, “Practical theories”, consists of three chapters that build the theoretical foundation to understand user‐oriented scenario‐based information design through a concise and practical exploration of the theories. Here readers learn that scenarios are stories and that good stories can assist information system designers to have a fuller understanding of the people who will be using the system and the context within which an information system is being used. Part II, “Theoretical practices”, guides the reader into an exploration of the fundamental theories for using scenarios for information design. Information design teams are also encouraged to plan for the “life cycle of ideas” especially since ideas, knowledge, documents and assets are critical ingredients for a successful implementation of the system project.

The final chapter of the book summarises topics regarding project completion, plans for project evaluation and system evaluation. Rice‐Lively and Chen also encourage readers to be vigilant and persuasive advocates on behalf of the users of information systems.

Scenarios and Information Design is a practical volume no information system designers should be without. It can also be a very useful textbook to students interested in information system design. A list of references concludes each chapter and a scenarios in information design checklist appears in an appendix. The index only consists of two pages. This sadly makes the table of contents more comprehensive than the index.