Scenarioer

A scenarioer is a professional who designs, documents, and evaluates scenario-based content used in simulations, training exercises, and narrative planning. The term is not universally standardized and may be applied informally to individuals who craft scenarios for exercises, games, or strategic discussions. A scenarioer typically works to create coherent, testable sequences of events that illuminate decision points, risks, and outcomes.

In practice, the responsibilities of a scenarioer include researching the relevant domain, defining objectives and success criteria, constructing scenario arcs, setting constraints and assumptions, assigning roles, and scripting events or interactions. They may also develop supporting materials such as briefing documents, data injections, evaluation rubrics, and debriefing prompts. The role often requires balancing realism with instructional value, ensuring scenarios are feasible within available resources while still challenging participants.

Fields that employ scenarioers include corporate strategy and risk management, emergency management and public safety, defense and security, and the design of training simulations and serious games. In corporate settings, scenarioers contribute to scenario planning exercises that explore futures and test strategic responses. In emergency preparedness, they help create tabletop or live simulations that train responders and coordinators. In entertainment and game development, scenarioers may script branching narratives or scenario templates to guide gameplay and storytelling.

Key skills for a scenarioer include systems thinking, research and data interpretation, narrative design, and facilitation. Proficiency with scenario modeling methods, risk assessment, and project management is common, as is the ability to collaborate with subject matter experts, designers, and evaluators. While related roles include scenario designer and scriptwriter, the exact duties of a scenarioer can vary by organization and domain. See also scenario planning, tabletop exercises, and narrative design.