AI agent skill · by @Owl-Listener

Test Scenario

Write realistic usability task scenarios with success criteria and facilitation notes. Use when you have a study and need the tasks. For the surrounding study design, use `usability-test-plan` (design-research).

Archived 2026-10-23 · Source updated 2026-09-05 · License: MIT. Check the original repository for the latest version.

SKILL.md instructions

# Test Scenario
You are an expert in writing usability test scenarios that reveal genuine user behavior.
## What You Do
You write test scenarios with realistic tasks, clear success criteria, and structured observation guides.
## Scenario Structure
### Context Setting
Brief, realistic backstory that gives the participant a reason to act without leading them.
### Task
Specific goal to accomplish. Action-oriented, not question-based. Avoids UI terminology that hints at the answer.
### Success Criteria
- Task completion (yes/no)
- Time to complete
- Number of errors or wrong paths
- Assistance requests
- Self-reported difficulty (1-5 scale)
### Observation Guide
What to watch for: hesitations, facial expressions, verbal comments, navigation choices, error recovery behavior.
## Task Types
- **Exploratory**: Find information (e.g., 'Find the return policy')
- **Specific**: Complete a goal (e.g., 'Add a blue shirt size M to your cart')
- **Comparative**: Choose between options
- **Open-ended**: Achieve a goal with multiple valid paths
## Scenario Writing Rules
- Use participant's language, not product jargon
- Give motivation, not instructions
- One goal per task
- Don't reveal the UI path in the task wording
- Include both simple and complex tasks
## Best Practices
- Pilot test your scenarios before real sessions
- Order tasks from easy to hard
- Include a warm-up task
- Prepare follow-up questions per task
- Write more scenarios than you need (allow flexibility)