When i was working in current company, i started to recognize new buzzwords: "Context".

This term was used in almost every situation: in meeting, stand-up, show n tell agenda, presenting result from research, until took design decision. It's like new language for me! But in the beginning, i didn't too understand what's the word meaning. Until i face with a situation where i explain some of my design to audience, and one of them said:

Okay, your insight was great. But in what circumstances you can use this solution? Why we need this? Give me a context about it.

I was in dumbstruck, she made a point. In that meeting surely i was catered an insight and a solution, but i didn't tell the background why we need this insight or solution, and they were confused. Therefore i didn't give enough context to them.

What is context, actually?

According to Oxford Dictionary, context is:

the situation in which something happens and that helps you to understand it

I realized this term was often used even when i was in college (or even earlier than that). When we were taken a thesis for undergraduate/master degree. Before we start research method part, we should define background of your thesis. Reasons why this research was conducted by you and why we need this research. Context was play a role in here, it eased people understand about some informations.

Example of thesis structure

How i impart context to others?

I usually give a context when doing show n tell to my squad. I am using this formula to give context to others, thanks to Raufan, designer from Japanese media. He use this framework to give context.

With some modification from his framework, this is how i give context to the audience:

Background

For me this is the most important phase when you impart a context. In first five minutes i tell about backgrounds. In this phase i also tell about current condition and problems that entails it. I usually use story telling method to engage the audience. You should be clear when explaining the backgrounds to hasten your intent. In the end, you want the audience know what you want to tell to them.

Problem

After i listing all the problems, i explain the reason behind it. Why those problems were occurred. This take 5 minutes.