[Sigia-l] comparing personas, scenarios, uses cases, task analysis

[tom smith]

I've found that use cases and task analysis are useful things. Personas 
(or creating them) are a useful activity, as object they tend to fall

By that I mean that use cases and task analysis are easily readable and 
become useful resources to dig out throughout the development process 
but personas are most useful when everyone has been involved in the 
creation of them, so that the mere mention of the "Monica factor", the 
"Harry Clause" or "Rampant Dave-ism" will result in a wry smile and a 
recognition of the larger concept being aired. They become conceptual 
short hand.

Use cases and task analysis, in my experience are created by the 
IA/HCI/Usability people and shared (or collaborated over) with the 
business/ graphics and development teams, whereas personas (or creating 
them) are an excellent way to (sneakily) work User Centered Design deep 
into the others team, whilst having a bit of fun.

cheers

tom

--
tom smith
http://www.othermedia.com/blog/
0207 089 5959
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