Simulation 1: Small Admin Office — Printer Not Printing Payslips

Business type: Payroll/admin office
IT equipment: Desktop computers, network printer, copier
Main problem: Staff cannot print payslips from the payroll computer.

Scenario brief

A small admin office prepares monthly payslips. On payday, the payroll clerk tries to print but the printer shows as “offline.” Other staff say they can print sometimes, but printing is very slow. The office manager is worried because employees are waiting for their payslips.

Suggested stakeholders

  • Payroll clerk
  • Office manager
  • Receptionist
  • IT support technician
  • Employees waiting for payslips

Facts students can “collect”

  • The printer is shared over the network.
  • The payroll computer was recently updated.
  • The printer works when copying documents.
  • Only some computers can print.
  • Staff are frustrated because payslips are confidential and urgent.

Simulation 2: Internet Café — Computers Running Slowly

Business type: Internet café
IT equipment: Customer computers, printer, copier/scanner
Main problem: Customer computers are very slow and keep freezing.

Scenario brief

An internet café has 10 computers used by customers for typing CVs, browsing, printing, and scanning. Customers complain that computers freeze when opening documents or using the internet. The owner says business is losing customers because people leave before finishing their work.

Suggested stakeholders

  • Business owner
  • Cashier/front desk assistant
  • Customers
  • IT technician
  • Cleaner/security person who notices power issues

Facts to “collect”

  • Computers are older and have limited memory.
  • Many unknown programs open automatically.
  • Antivirus has not been updated.
  • Some customers use USB drives.
  • Printing is delayed because documents take long to open.

Simulation 3: Medical Reception — Scanner/Copier Not Saving Patient Documents

Business type: Small medical practice
IT equipment: Reception computer, scanner/copier, printer
Main problem: Scanned patient documents are not saving to the correct folder.

Scenario brief 

A medical receptionist scans patient forms, ID copies, and referral letters. Recently, documents do not appear in the patient folder after scanning. Sometimes they are saved under the wrong name. The doctor is concerned because patient records must be available during consultations.

Suggested stakeholders

  • Receptionist
  • Doctor/practice manager
  • Patients
  • IT technician
  • Filing/admin assistant

Facts students can “collect”

  • The scanner still makes copies successfully.
  • Scanned files sometimes go to the desktop instead of the shared folder.
  • A new receptionist started recently.
  • Folder permissions were changed last week.
  • Patient information is confidential.

Simulation 4: Retail Shop — Point-of-Sale Computer Cannot Print Receipts

Business type: Retail clothing or grocery shop
IT equipment: POS computer, receipt printer, office printer, copier
Main problem: The till computer processes sales but does not print receipts.

Scenario brief 

A retail shop has one main till. Customers can pay, but receipts do not print. The cashier writes manual receipts, causing long queues. The manager is worried about customer complaints and possible errors in daily records.

Suggested stakeholders

  • Cashier
  • Store manager
  • Customers
  • IT support technician
  • Accounts/admin clerk

Facts students can “collect”

  • The POS system still records sales.
  • The receipt printer has power lights on.
  • Paper roll was changed recently.
  • USB cable looks loose.
  • Cashier says the issue started after moving the counter.

Simulation 5: Training Centre — Learners Cannot Access Shared Learning Material

Business type: Training centre/computer lab
IT equipment: Learner computers, facilitator computer, printer/copier
Main problem: Learners cannot access documents on the shared folder.

Scenario brief 

A training centre stores class notes and worksheets in a shared folder. Some learners can open the folder, while others get an “access denied” message. The facilitator cannot continue the lesson because learners need the files for an activity.

Suggested stakeholders

  • Facilitator
  • Learners
  • IT technician
  • Training centre administrator
  • Lab assistant

Facts students can “collect”

  • The shared folder worked the previous week.
  • New learner accounts were created recently.
  • Some computers are connected through Wi-Fi and others by cable.
  • The printer works from the facilitator’s computer.
  • Learners have different levels of computer knowledge.
PreviousNext