Context Perspectives for Scenarios and Research Development in Mobile Systems

This chapter is based on work undertaken as part of a technical research project, FLOWS (Flexible Convergence of Wireless Standards and Services), aimed at creating a sophisticated technical integration of a range of wireless systems on a single terminal. The engineers needed models and scenarios for use of this technology that are based on research on existing use of mobile telephones, computers and other ICTs, and visions of future use. A method was developed to make existing social science research relevant to the engineers, and in the process develop a framework for imagining future users, patterns of use and appropriation, and directing user research. It proposes some key insights into the development and use of scenarios in this process, highlighting weaknesses in existing scenario development.It will be of relevance to social and human scientists and those working in business develop, who need to work with and provide input to technical research and development