What are user scenarios used for?

User scenarios are instrumental in understanding how users engage with a product and the specific goals they aim to achieve through their interactions. These scenarios provide a narrative that outlines a user's context, needs, and tasks, allowing designers and researchers to visualize the journey the user takes when utilizing a product. By detailing the steps and motivations of users, scenarios help in identifying pain points, potential improvements, and overall user satisfaction.

In contrast to testing navigational usability, which is a more targeted assessment of interface effectiveness, user scenarios provide a broader perspective on user behavior and intentions. They do not focus solely on marketing strategies, as the primary purpose of user scenarios is not to drive product promotion but to enhance user experience. Additionally, while evaluation of a development team is important, user scenarios do not serve to measure team performance; instead, they help align product design with user needs and expectations.