Commentary on 'scenarios and task analysis' by Dan Diaper

Both Carroll's book and Diaper's paper address fundamental issues for the HCI field and stimulate important discussion that can help to clarify at least some of them. I have noticed that in recent years some tension has arisen between scenario-based approaches and task analysis, with the risk of degenerating into a kind of religious war. To some extent, the solution to this tension is simple: both approaches are important and complementary. However, this solution is often interpreted as a diplomatic, polite position in which people do not actually believe. So, some more in-depth reflections should prove to be useful.