Data-driven Scenario-Based Narrative Design: From End-User Reflections to Requirements for Data-Driven, End-User Development Tools for Scenario Design

Scenario-Based Design (SBD) processes often struggle with biases, overgeneralisation, and limited inclusivity, when designing for complex domains like Autonomous Vehicles (AVs). Through focus groups with non-technical end-users, this study defines requirements for SBD End-User Development (EUD) tools. By thematically analyzing and affinity mapping transcript and note data from participants that engaged with an SBD workflow, six core needs for scenario-based design software are identified: (1) context-rich foundations, (2) dynamic persona templates, (2) real-time scenarios reflecting socio-behavioral edge-cases, (3) strong persona-scenario synthesis and natural end-user interaction, (4) explainable and transparent interactions, (5) automated ethically non-biased data management, and (6) data-driven yet interpretable processes and outputs. Findings suggest how EUD design tools can balance human creativity and input with computational rigor, enabling designers to iteratively refine designs while ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and explainability.