Change the Observer

When everyone explains the situation from the same seat, inspect it from another position. Ask what the recipient, operator, newcomer, or future user can actually see and needs to do.

Keep the situation → change the position → compare what becomes visible.

Changing the observer means changing the position from which you describe the same situation. Different positions reveal different information, costs, and constraints. Use direct accounts where possible, label imagined perspectives as hypotheses, and compare the views without assuming that one person’s account replaces everyone else’s.

Try this when…

It seems obvious to us. Why are they confused?

We designed this, but nobody uses it the way we expected.

The person receiving this sees a completely different problem.

What will this look like when I have forgotten today’s context?

What you can use it for

Explaining and teaching

Inspect what a newcomer can infer without the background knowledge the author already has.

Coordination

See what another participant needs at their point in the process.

Designing for later use

Include the future user who will have less context, different conditions, or different responsibilities.