Complete firstClear scenario
The goal, starting point, role, and scope of one connected experience are named.
Without bounds, the sequence becomes an unstructured set of situations.
Method guideUX Design
Storyboarding
A practical method guide: clarify prerequisites and materials, understand the complete process, and look up outputs, pitfalls, and stop criteria.
ComplexityMedium
Time30-90 min
Participants1-8
FormatWorkshop + async
MaturityCanonical
01
Prerequisite
What needs to be finished first
Complete firstEvidence status
Relevant research is linked; concept assumptions and unobserved experiences are labeled.
Invented emotions or needs can be mistaken for user knowledge.
Complete firstQuestion to discuss
The decision or understanding the sequence should support is clear.
Illustration without a question has little connection to design or testing.
02
Preparation
What needs to be ready before start
Materials
Scenario description, relevant research evidence or clearly labeled assumptions, paper or a digital board with frames, and pens.
People / roles
One person assembles the story; a small team checks readability and transitions. For user-centered storyboards, use statements and emotions only when supported by evidence or label them as hypotheses.
Pre-read
Set the role, goal, timeframe, starting problem, and pending decision. Gather research notes and gaps.
Time needed
About 45–90 minutes for one focused sequence including scenario, sketches, and review. Plan research and later validation separately.
Setup
Arrange frames in reading order. Choose low fidelity before drawing. Mark evidence, hypotheses, and unknowns visibly.
03
Core question
The one question this method answers
Which situations, actions, and transitions shape this specific user flow or proposed experience?
04
Flow
Phases with goal, actions, output and pitfall
Storyboarding arranges a scenario, visual scenes, and short captions into a readable flow. It helps teams review the context and transitions of a researched experience or proposed solution. Assumptions about thoughts and feelings must be labeled.
Six storyboard scenes
Fictional concept example
One connected scene per row with context, action, and evidence status.
| Storyboard frame | Frame | Scene and context | Action or touchpoint | Evidence or assumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame 1Show the trigger and goal. | 1 | A shelf comes loose on Saturday. | The person decides they need a cordless drill. | Fictional assumption about need; not an observed case. |
| Frame 2Show the first step and search context. | 2 | The person opens a fictional tool catalog. | They search for a suitable item. | Concept assumption; no real research. |
| Frame 3Show decision-relevant information. | 3 | The tool card shows stock and location. | A Saturday pickup window appears beside availability. | Proposed touchpoint, not tested yet. |
| Frame 4Explain the transition to the next action. | 4 | The person chooses a time window. | A reservation step confirms the plan. | Untested functional assumption. |
| Frame 5Show access to the service. | 5 | The person arrives at the lending site. | Directions and access information support pickup. | Opening hours and access conditions to check. |
| Frame 6Show the outcome and an open follow-up. | 6 | The tool is returned after the repair. | The flow ends with an available return option. | Fictional assumption; validate return in everyday use. |
1. Frame
- Frame 1
- 1
- Frame 2
- 2
- Frame 3
- 3
- Frame 4
- 4
- Frame 5
- 5
- Frame 6
- 6
2. Scene and context
- Frame 1
- A shelf comes loose on Saturday.
- Frame 2
- The person opens a fictional tool catalog.
- Frame 3
- The tool card shows stock and location.
- Frame 4
- The person chooses a time window.
- Frame 5
- The person arrives at the lending site.
- Frame 6
- The tool is returned after the repair.
3. Action or touchpoint
- Frame 1
- The person decides they need a cordless drill.
- Frame 2
- They search for a suitable item.
- Frame 3
- A Saturday pickup window appears beside availability.
- Frame 4
- A reservation step confirms the plan.
- Frame 5
- Directions and access information support pickup.
- Frame 6
- The flow ends with an available return option.
4. Evidence or assumption
- Frame 1
- Fictional assumption about need; not an observed case.
- Frame 2
- Concept assumption; no real research.
- Frame 3
- Proposed touchpoint, not tested yet.
- Frame 4
- Untested functional assumption.
- Frame 5
- Opening hours and access conditions to check.
- Frame 6
- Fictional assumption; validate return in everyday use.
Substantiate inner states and events from research or label them as assumptions.
- 1
Scenario
Bound the scenario
Goal
Choose a case with a beginning, goal, and answerable design question.
Inputs for this step
- Name the scenario, person or role, and question the sequence should clarify.
Actions
- Name the use situation, role, context, and evidence source. Decide whether to depict an observed experience or explore a concept.
Output
One bounded scenario with purpose and evidence status.
One bounded scenario with purpose and evidence status.
Quality check
One person or role pursues an understandable goal; fact and assumption are distinguishable.
Pitfall
Several personas, goals, and timelines are mixed together. Bound the work to one person-role, one goal, and one connected flow.
Timing: 10–15 minutes to set question and scenario
- 2
Sequence
Sketch the sequence
Goal
Break the scenario into a small number of ordered key moments.
Inputs for this step
- One bounded scenario with purpose and evidence status.
Actions
- Show trigger, relevant action, touchpoint, transition, and outcome. Each scene should change or explain the flow.
Output
Ordered scene sequence with visible transitions.
Ordered scene sequence with visible transitions.
Quality check
Each scene contributes to the goal or design question.
Pitfall
Frames repeat the same action or jump without a transition. Remove redundant frames and make missing transitions visible.
Timing: 10–20 minutes to sequence scenes
- 3
Storyboard
Add visuals and captions
Goal
Draw simply and caption actions and relevant context.
Inputs for this step
- Ordered scene sequence with visible transitions.
Actions
- Use sketches or suitable imagery. Caption each scene briefly; distinguish direct evidence, concept assumptions, and open information.
Output
Storyboard with legible visuals, short captions, and evidence markers.
Storyboard with legible visuals, short captions, and evidence markers.
Quality check
Image and caption tell the same moment; unsupported emotions or quotes are not shown as fact.
Pitfall
Decorative drawings obscure the flow or imply unsupported feelings. Simplify the image and label assumptions instead of attributing thoughts to users.
Timing: 20–40 minutes for sketches and captions
- 4
Review
Review the flow together
Goal
Read the sequence without verbal explanation and mark unclear transitions.
Inputs for this step
- Storyboard with legible visuals, short captions, and evidence markers.
Actions
- Ask others to describe what they understand; note misunderstandings, missing steps, and assumptions that need testing.
Output
Revised sequence with a design question or test task.
Revised sequence with a design question or test task.
Quality check
An outside reader understands goal, sequence, and outcome from the cards.
Pitfall
The facilitator explains every gap but still considers the storyboard clear. Redraw unclear scenes and turn open assumptions into a test.
Timing: 10–20 minutes for clarity review and follow-up
05
Artifact
What comes out at the end
Sketch: what the artifact looks like
Form
Dated storyboard with scenario, ordered visual sequence, short captions, evidence status, and next checks.
Versioning / ownership
Version the scenario, sequence, and review status. Mark which scenes reflect new evidence or changed assumptions. Use personal images only when appropriately authorized.
Tool alternatives
- Paper, sticky notes, or digital board with movable frames
- Pens for rough scenes and short captions
- Research notes and visible assumption markers
workshop-agenda-markdown.md
Compact agenda template for method sequences with timebox, purpose, and output.
Workshop Agenda
Goal: ... Participants: ... Duration: ...
| Time | Method | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | Check-in | Set focus | Shared start |
| 00:10 | How Might We | Ideation questions | HMW list |
| 00:35 | Brainwriting | Generate ideas | Idea pool |
| 01:10 | Dot Voting | Prepare selection | Prioritized ideas |
| 01:30 | Storyboarding | Make the concept tangible | Storyboard |
Close-out
Decision, owner, next test.
storyboarding-working-template.md
Prepare a short, focused sequence for one use scenario or concept.
Storyboarding: Worksheet
Question
To be confirmed
Desired outcome
To be confirmed
Scope
One focused storyboard Time: About 45–90 minutes for one sequence; research and validation are outside the session.
Complete this worksheet on paper or in your own document during the work.
Preparation for this scope
Method setup
- Materials: Scenario description, relevant research evidence or clearly labeled assumptions, paper or a digital board with frames, and pens.
- Roles: One person assembles the story; a small team checks readability and transitions. For user-centered storyboards, use statements and emotions only when supported by evidence or label them as hypotheses.
- Advance information: Set the role, goal, timeframe, starting problem, and pending decision. Gather research notes and gaps.
- Overall time needed: About 45–90 minutes for one focused sequence including scenario, sketches, and review. Plan research and later validation separately.
- Setup: Arrange frames in reading order. Choose low fidelity before drawing. Mark evidence, hypotheses, and unknowns visibly.
Prepare for the work steps
Scenario: Bound the scenario
- Name the scenario, person or role, and question the sequence should clarify.
Sequence: Sketch the sequence
- One bounded scenario with purpose and evidence status.
Storyboard: Add visuals and captions
- Ordered scene sequence with visible transitions.
Review: Review the flow together
- Storyboard with legible visuals, short captions, and evidence markers.
Six storyboard scenes
| Storyboard frame | Frame | Scene and context | Action or touchpoint | Evidence or assumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame 1 | ||||
| Frame 2 | ||||
| Frame 3 | ||||
| Frame 4 | ||||
| Frame 5 | ||||
| Frame 6 |
- Frame 1: Show the trigger and goal.
- Frame 2: Show the first step and search context.
- Frame 3: Show decision-relevant information.
- Frame 4: Explain the transition to the next action.
- Frame 5: Show access to the service.
- Frame 6: Show the outcome and an open follow-up.
Blank template: add context, action, and evidence status for each frame.
Scenario: Bound the scenario
Expected artifact: One bounded scenario with purpose and evidence status.
One bounded scenario with purpose and evidence status.
Entry:
...
- One person or role pursues an understandable goal; fact and assumption are distinguishable.
Sequence: Sketch the sequence
Expected artifact: Ordered scene sequence with visible transitions.
Ordered scene sequence with visible transitions.
Entry:
...
- Each scene contributes to the goal or design question.
Storyboard: Add visuals and captions
Expected artifact: Storyboard with legible visuals, short captions, and evidence markers.
Storyboard with legible visuals, short captions, and evidence markers.
Entry:
...
- Image and caption tell the same moment; unsupported emotions or quotes are not shown as fact.
Review: Review the flow together
Expected artifact: Revised sequence with a design question or test task.
Revised sequence with a design question or test task.
Entry:
...
- An outside reader understands goal, sequence, and outcome from the cards.
Open questions and next steps
...
Method guide: https://methodatlas.meierhoff-systems.de/en/methods/storyboarding/run-sheet
06
Example output
Concrete filled scenario, fictional example
Fictional example for orientation. Counts and timings describe this case and are not universal requirements.
storyboarding-beispiel.md
Concrete filled scenario, fictional example
Fictional teaching example: a tool for a Saturday repair
All people, steps, and product ideas are invented. No research was conducted; this is a concept storyboard, not a documented user experience.
Role and scenario: Someone wants to repair a wobbly shelf on Saturday and checks a fictional neighborhood lending service.
Frame 1, need: The shelf is loose; the person decides they need a cordless drill. Assumption about the trigger.
Frame 2, search: The person opens the tool catalog and looks for a suitable item. Concept assumption.
Frame 3, availability: A card shows stock, location, and a Saturday pickup window. Proposed service touchpoint.
Frame 4, reservation: The person chooses a window and receives confirmation. Untested interaction assumption.
Frame 5, pickup: The person uses the directions and access information. Open: are hours and accessibility clear enough?
Frame 6, return: After the repair, the person returns the tool; the flow ends. Open: which return options work in everyday use?
Review question: Do people understand the link between stock, time window, and reservation?
Next step: Test the transition in a prototype. Do not present the role’s thoughts, feelings, or words as observed fact.
07
Pitfalls
Recognize symptoms and steer against them
Quick overview, the full text is in the matching phase in the flow
- Bound the scenarioSeveral personas, goals, and timelines are mixed together.View in phase
- Sketch the sequenceFrames repeat the same action or jump without a transition.View in phase
- Add visuals and captionsDecorative drawings obscure the flow or imply unsupported feelings.View in phase
- Review the flow togetherThe facilitator explains every gap but still considers the storyboard clear.View in phase
Trap
Bound the scenario
Symptom
Several personas, goals, and timelines are mixed together.
What to do
Bound the work to one person-role, one goal, and one connected flow.
Trap
Sketch the sequence
Symptom
Frames repeat the same action or jump without a transition.
What to do
Remove redundant frames and make missing transitions visible.
Trap
Add visuals and captions
Symptom
Decorative drawings obscure the flow or imply unsupported feelings.
What to do
Simplify the image and label assumptions instead of attributing thoughts to users.
Trap
Review the flow together
Symptom
The facilitator explains every gap but still considers the storyboard clear.
What to do
Redraw unclear scenes and turn open assumptions into a test.
08
Stop criteria
When to pause, resolve prerequisites, or choose another approach
The scenario contains several independent journeys: choose one sequence or plan separate storyboards.
Scenes rely on assumptions but are presented as observed experience: add evidence labels.
The sequence needs extensive verbal explanation: reorder scenes and transitions.
Finished the method guide?
Go to the profile for purpose, similar methods, and sources or continue to the next method in the catalog.